Neurophysiological Anomalies in Schizophrenia: Potential Drug Targets or Biomarkers?
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Presented By
Presented by the Biochemical Pharmacology Discussion Group and the American Chemical Society's New York section
Organizers: Mihaly Hajos, Pfizer; Clay Scott, AstraZeneca
Abnormal sensory processing is thought to be one of the core pathological mechanisms causal to schizophrenia. Disrupted auditory gating, abnormal P300 evoked potentials, and deficits in mismatch negativity in schizophrenic patients are regarded as markers of this impairment. Recently, abnormalities in event related neuronal synchrony or oscillatory activities have been postulated as the electrophysiological correlates the distorted perception and cognitive dysfunction associated with schizophrenia. Our emerging understanding of these neuronal circuitry dynamics could reveal not only the pathophysiology of the disorder, but indicate potential targets for novel antipsychotic drug therapy.
1:00—1:10 Introduction
Mihaly Hajos, Pfizer Global R & D, Groton, Connecticut
1:10—2:05
Kevin M. Spencer, VA Boston Healthcare System/Harvard Medical School, Brockton, Massachusetts, "Neurophysiological Correlates of Disorderd Perception and Cognition in Schizophrenia."
2:05—3:00
Georg Winterer, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany, "Impaired Neuronal Processing of Frontal Cortical Regions in Schizophrenic Patients."
3:00—3:20 Coffee Break
3:20—4:15
Gunvant K. Thaker, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Baltimore, Maryland, "Schizophrenia Endophenotypes as Treatment Targets."
4:15—5:10
Daniel C. Javitt, MD, PhD, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York; New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, "Impaired Mismatch Negativity Generation Reflects Dysfunction of Working Memory in Schizophrenia."
5:10—5:20 Questions and Closing Comments
Clay Scott, PhD, AstraZeneca, Wilmington, Delaware