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Niels Ringstad, Ph.D.

Photo of Niels Ringstad

TitleAssistant Professor
DepartmentDepartment of Cell Biology
 Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine
InstitutionNew York University
Address540 First Avenue
 SK 5-14
City, State, ZipNew York, NY 10016
Phone(212) 263-3753
E-Mailmed.nyu.edu
Websitesaturn.med.nyu.edu/research/mn/ringstadlab/
Research FieldNeuroscience
Award Year2011

Research

Neuron-neuron communication is mediated by the regulated release of neurotransmitters. We are studying the molecular biology of chemical neurotransmission using genetic and physiological studies of the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, which has an anatomically simple nervous system that uses most of the major neurotransmitters found in the human brain. We have specific interests in two types of neurotransmitters: monoamines and neuropeptides. Monoamines, such as dopamine, play critical roles in brain function and are associated with a host of neurological and psychiatric disorders including Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia and major depression. Neuropeptides play diverse modulatory roles in the brain where they function in circuits that generate complex innate behaviors. We aim to understand molecular mechanisms by which monoamine and peptide neurotransmitters function in the nervous system in order to identify new therapeutic targets for the treatment of diseases associated with their dysfunction.

Keywords


2011 Scholars


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