Neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia are chronic debilitating disorders, resulting in huge socio-economic cost. As such greater understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of these conditions is warranted and may thus lead to novel therapeutics for these conditions. Recent research has indicated that mutations in a novel kinase gene named ULK4 have been identified in neuropsychiatic disorders. ULK4 is expressed exclusively on inhibitory (GABA) neurons in the brain and deletion of this gene is known to alter activity of these neurons. However, other systems also modulate GABA functions, including the endogenous cannabinoid (endocannabinoid) system. The aim of this project is to examine if deletion of the ULK4 gene results in alterations in the endocananibnoid system, effects which may underlie, at least in part, the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders.
