NRB-a/ErbB4 and Dopamine D4 Receptors as Therapeutic Targets to Treat Cognitive Deficits in Angelman Syndrome

$197,580 (2-year award)

This project enabled Dr. Klann to continue his studies on the synapse and on the action of an important group of proteins, the neuregulins. At the neuronal cell membrane, these proteins are known to interact with an important receptor (ErbB4) that can initiate crucial intracellular signaling. Studies in Angelman mice by Dr. Klann have demonstrated that one of the neuregulins, neuregulin-1, appears to be increased in mouse neurons. His lab is attempting to block the actions of this specific receptor pathway and then measure to what extent this inhibition might rescue or repair some of the behavioral and/or synapse problems of AS.