Prefrontal Cortical Circuits in Schizophrenia: Molecular Vulnerabilities, and Clues for Treatments
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Thought disorder in schizophrenia is worsened by stress exposure, and is associated with profound dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex, a newly evolved brain region that subserves higher cognition. Prefrontal gray matter is lost as patients descend into illness, and neurons lose vital connections. Research shows that these newly evolved prefrontal circuits are uniquely regulated at the molecular level, and are particularly sensitive to stress exposure. These findings help to explain how a variety of genetic insults can weaken prefrontal cortical function in schizophrenia, and has begun to provide strategies for novel therapeutics to protect neuronal connections.
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Albert E. Kent Professor of Neuroscience and of Psychology
Yale School of Medicine
Scientific Council Member (Joined 2011)
2015 Goldman-Rakic Prizewinner for Cognitive Neuroscience
2008 Distinguished Investigator Grant
1998 Independent Investigator Grant
Dr. Arnsten’s research focuses on the highly evolved prefrontal cortex, elucidating the molecular mechanisms that determine the strength of network connections and cognitive abilities, with the overarching goals of understanding how genetic insults lead to symptoms of mental illness, and developing informed strategies for pharmacological treatment. Her team has identified two pharmacological agents to treat prefrontal cortical dysfunction in patients: Guanfacine, FDA-approved for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder treatment and used off-label to treat Tourette’s syndrome, frontal lobe traumatic brain injury and behavioral symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorders; and Prazosin, currently being tested in patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, including troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Dr. Arnsten received her B.A. with Honors in Neuroscience from Brown University in 1976, and her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of California, San Diego in 1981. Following her doctoral studies, Dr. Arnsten performed post-doctoral research with Dr. Susan Iversen at the University of Cambridge in England and then with Dr. Patricia Goldman-Rakic at Yale University.
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Prefrontal Cortical Circuits in Schizophrenia: Molecular Vulnerabilities, and Clues for Treatments
Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D., serves as the President & CEO of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, the largest private funder of mental health research grants. Dr. Borenstein developed the Emmy-nominated public television program “Healthy Minds,” and serves as host and executive producer of the series. The program, broadcast nationwide, is available online, and focuses on topics in psychiatry in order to educate the public, reduce stigma and offer a message of hope. Dr. Borenstein served as Editor-in-Chief of Psychiatric News, the newspaper of the American Psychiatric Association from 2012 - 2023.
Dr. Borenstein is a Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine and serves as the Chair of the Section of Psychiatry at the Academy. He also has served as the President of the New York State Psychiatric Association. Dr. Borenstein earned his undergraduate degree at Harvard and his medical degree at New York University.
