Biochemistry Research Scientist Awarded BBRF Grant for Schizophrenia Study

By Dirk Hoffman

Of 895 young investigator applications, Abbott’s was one of 165 selected for two years of funding totaling $70,000.

The BBRF awards research grants to develop improved treatments, cures, and methods of prevention for mental illness. Its young investigator grants help enable promising researchers to launch careers as independent research faculty.

Abbott says she first learned of the opportunity through the UB community e-mail announcements and was further encouraged to apply by her mentor, Gabriela K. Popescu, PhD, professor of biochemistry.

“I am at a stage in my career where it makes a lot of sense to seek out funding opportunities as an independent research scientist,” Abbott says.

Her project is titled “Positive Allosteric Modulation of NMDA Receptors in Treatment of Schizophrenia” and focuses on receptors found in the brain called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors.

NMDA receptors are vital and involved in a wide range of neurological functions including learning, memory, motor control, neurodevelopment and mood regulation, Abbott notes.

“Consequently, we have learned through genetics that NMDA receptors are involved in a wide range of neurodevelopment and psychiatric diseases, such as epilepsy and schizophrenia,” she says. “Our lab group has expertise in studying the activity of these receptors and how they work under a broad range of conditions.”

Abbott says the work will be carried out at the bench using model cells that contain genetically modified NMDA receptors.

She says the first goal of the project is to understand how genetic changes in the NMDA receptors alter functional activity.

“What are these changes telling us about schizophrenia?” Abbott asks. “Once I understand the functional changes that occur, I can begin to examine how therapeutics that target the NMDA receptors alter the activity in a favorable way and determine if it makes sense to target them at all.”

Abbott, who is a board-certified genetic counselor, notes the connection between genetics and schizophrenia is very complex, and the researchers know that these genes are not the only ones involved — that in fact there are many genes involved and sometimes working together.

“But I hope to shed light on why these genes are not working as expected and why there is a risk for schizophrenia in the individuals that carry them,” she says. “For those affected by schizophrenia we can find an opportunity to target these changes to relieve symptoms.”

Abbott says the research is the first step in exploring and developing treatments for schizophrenia tailored to the individual.

“Emerging therapies that factor in an individual’s genetic makeup to tailor treatment is called precision medicine,” she notes. “Precision medicine has had a long history of success for treatment of cancer but is still in its infancy in other areas of medicine and especially for psychiatric illness.”

“Now that global genetic studies have shed light on the genetics of individuals with schizophrenia, it is possible to investigate approaches that apply precision medicine therapies.”

Abbott says she feels extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work at the bench as a research scientist and practice as a genetic counselor in the community.

“Empathy is a central tenet of genetic counseling practice, and I empathize with families that struggle with mental health illness and have limited therapeutic options,” she says. “I strive as a genetic counselor to lead my research program into translational medicine and not keep it confined to the bench.”

After the scientific council at the BBRF conducts its independent and peer-reviewed process to select applicants for funding, members of its research partner program can personally select scientists to support.

The Quinn Family Foundation of Smithtown, New York, chose to support Abbott’s project.

“The BBRF Research Partner Program is a remarkable program and a fantastic opportunity where individuals, families, and foundations can choose to fund individual researchers,” Abbott says. “This is an excellent example of the power of public support for research that was made possible by BBRF.”

“This is my first funding award as a young investigator and builds the foundation for my independent research career,” she adds. “It is a privilege to be designated the Peter D. Quinn Investigator, and I am tremendously thankful to the Quinn Family Foundation for its interest in my project, our community in Western New York and our academic institution.”