Duke Institute for Brain Sciences

Dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine are key neurotransmitters in the central nervous system that regulates behavior and mobility. Studies of the mechanisms of action and regulation of these and other neurotransmitters and hormones at the cellular and molecular levels constitute the main goals of our research activities. Our laboratory uses a wide variety of techniques including animal models, cell systems, and molecular approaches to investigate how G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) and neurotransmitter transporters regulate homeostasis in health and diseases.

Ph.D., University of Miami, 1973

B.Sc., Universite Laval (Quebec), 1969

Beaulieu JM, Marion S, Rodriguiz RM, Medvedev IO, Sotnikova TD, Ghisi V, Wetsel WC, Lefkowitz RJ, Gainetdinov RR, Caron MG.(2008) A beta-arrestin 2 signaling complex mediates lithium action on behavior. Cell 132:125-136. PMID: 18191226.

Beaulieu JM, Zhang X, Rodriguiz RM, Sotnikova TD, Cools MJ, Wetsel WC, Gainetdinov RR, Caron MG. (2008) Role of GSK3 beta in behavioral abnormalities induced by serotonin deficiency. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 105:1333-1338. Epub 2008 Jan 22. PMID: 18212115

Salahpour A, Ramsey AJ, Medvedev IO, Kile B, Sotnikova TD, Holmstrand E, Ghisi, V, Nicholls PJ, Wong L, Murphy K, Sesack SR, Wightman RM, Gainetdinov RR, Caron MG. (2008) Increased amphetamine-induced hyperactivity and reward inmice over-expressithe dopamine transporter. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 105, 4405-4410. PMID: 18347339