At least two lines of evidence suggest that TS has an organic basis. First, recent studies of large patient populations and their families strongly indicate that the disease is hereditary; second, pharmacological agents which are therapeutically effective suggest that specific neurotransmitter system, such as dopamine and acetylcholine, may be involved. Recent studies in this laboratory on a brain from a patient diagnosed as having TS indicated a lack of dynorphin-like immune-reactivity. This was observed primarily in the globus pallidus, a basal ganglia structure. The specific aim is of this study are to, first replicate the first finding. Also, additional transmitter systems will be characterized as to their distribution using immunohistochemical methods in both control brains and in the brains of patients having been diagnosed as having TS. Finally, this project will study the regulation of specific transmitter systems in both control and TS tissue, using in situ hybridization techniques. Suzanne N. Haber, Ph.D., Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY Award: $22,780 Tourette Association of America Inc. – Research Grant Award 1987
Dynorphin and other Basal Ganglia Transmitter Systems in TS: An Immuno-histochemical in in situ Hybridization Study
Grant Type
Basic
Grant Year
1987
Institution Location
NY
Institution Organization Name
University of Rochester
Investigators Name
Haber, Suzanne N., PhD