MCWMedical College of Wisconsin · Pharmacology
Dopamine Circuit Dynamics Lab
Qing-Song Liu · Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Research Focus
Dr. Qing-Song Liu's lab focuses on understanding how a protein called mTOR affects the behavior and function of dopamine neurons in the brain. They investigate how changes in mTOR signaling can lead to problems like hyperactivity and impulsivity, which are seen in disorders such as ADHD. Using specially designed mice, the lab seeks to uncover the cellular and circuit-level mechanisms behind these behaviors, aiming to inform future treatments for related psychiatric conditions.
mTORdopamine neuronshyperactivityimpulsivityADHDsynaptic plasticityneuropsychiatric disordersbehavioral phenotypesmouse models
Research Aims
3AIM 01Examine how mTOR-cKO alters dopamine neuron physiology.
AIM 02Investigate differential locomotor responses to amphetamine between mTOR-cKO and wild-type mice.
AIM 03Explore the molecular and circuit mechanisms that underlie impulsive behavior and attention deficits in mTOR-cKO mice.
Skills the Lab Values
genetic engineeringconditional knockout micebehavioral assaysimmunohistochemistryelectrophysiologylocomotor activity analysisdata analysispharmacological testingcircuit mapping
Output against the department
Publications424top 14% of dept.65th of 462
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations20ktop 17% of dept.79th of 462
this lab
most citedleast cited
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