Department of Psychiatry Faculty

Marina Picciotto, PhD

Professor of Psychiatry
Tel: 203-737-2041 Fax: (203) 737-2043
Email: marina.picciotto@yale.edu

Education

1985, B.S., Stanford University
1992, Ph.D., Rockefeller University

Research Interest

Our goal is to understand the role of single molecules in complex behaviors related to addiction, depression, and learning. We use molecular genetic and pharmacological approaches to link the biochemical, cellular and anatomical levels of investigation to behavior. A primary focus is the role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in brain function and development, with a focus on behaviors related to nicotine addiction and smoking. We are also interested in galanin, which is a neuropeptide that protect against the development of addiction. Galanin knockout mice show increased addiction-related behaviors, whereas galanin agonists oppose those behaviors. Finally, we are interested in signaling molecules downstream of nicotinic and galanin receptors, such as calcineurin, CaM kinase I and adducin, that may mediate long-term changes in behavior following receptor activation. Ultimately, integration of studies at the molecular, cellular and systems levels will be necessary to understand the neurobiological basis for expression and plasticity of complex behaviors.

Area of Expertise

Molecular neuroscience
Behavioral pharmacology
Mouse genetics
Translational neuroscience

Laboratory Personnel

Yuki Asaka, Postdoctoral Associate
Amine Bahi, Postdoctoral Fellow
Christian Brabant, Postdoctoral Fellow
Emily Einstein, PhD student, neuroscience
Nadia Gavrilova, Research Assistant
Christopher Heath, PhD student, neuroscience
Yon Woo Jung, PhD student, neuroscience
Helen Kamens, Postdoctoral Associate
Jérémie Lavaur, Postdoctoral Associate
Diane Lendroth, Research Assistant

Achievements and Honors

• 2004 NARSAD Independent Investigator (Foster Bam Award)
• 2000 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers
• 1999 Human Frontiers Science Foundation 10th Anniversary Award
• 1996 NARSAD Young Investigator
• 1996 Donaghue Foundation Young Investigator

Publications of Note

Addy, N.A., Fornasiero, E. Tanya R Stevens, T.R., Taylor, J.R. and Picciotto, M.R. (2007) Role of calcineurin in nicotine-mediated locomotor sensitization, J Neurosci, 27(32):8571-80.

Mineur, Y.S., Somenzi, O. and Picciotto, M.R. (2007) Partial agonists of high affinity nicotinic acetylcholine receptor have antidepressant-like properties in male C57BL/6J mice, Neuropharmacology, 52(5): 1256-62.

Uboha, N.V., Flajolet, M., Nairn, A.C. and Picciotto, M.R. (2007) A CaM kinase I/MARK-2 signaling cascade mediates calcium-dependent neurite outgrowth, J Neurosci, 27(16) 4413-23.

Rabenstein, R.L., Caldarone, B.J. and Picciotto, M.R. (2006) The nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine has antidepressant-like effects in wild type but not b2 or a7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor knockout mice. Psychopharmacology, 189(3):395-401.

Miwa, J.M., Stevens, T.R., King, S.L., Caldarone, B.J., Ibanez-Tallon, I., Xiao, C., Fitzsimonds, R.M., Pavlides, C., Lester, H.A., Picciotto, M.R. and Heintz, N. (2006) Balancing neuronal activity and survival via the cholinergic modulator lynx1, Neuron, 51(5): 587-600.

Staley, J.K., Krishnan-Sarin, S., Cosgrove, K.P., Krantzler, E., Frohlich, E. Perry, E., Dubin, J., Estok, K., Brenner, E., Baldwin, R.M., Tamagnan, G.D., Seibyl, J.P., Jatlow, P., Picciotto, M.R., London, E.D., O’Malley, S. and van Dyck, C.H. (2006) Human tobacco smokers have higher levels of b2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors during early abstinence. J Neurosci, 26(34):8707-14.

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