Department of Psychiatry Faculty

Benjamin S. Bunney, M.D. Charles B.G. Murphy Professor and Chairman Psychiatry Professor of Pharmacology 619 GB, 25 Park Street Tel: 203-785-6396 Email: Benjamin.bunney@yale.edu

Education

1960, B.A., New York University
1964, M.D., New York University

Research Interest

Neuronal systems in the brain that use dopamine as their chemical messenger have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of neurological and mental disorders, including Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. Most of the pharmacological treatments for these disorders alter dopamine system functioning. We have been studying the site and mechanism of action of these drugs, as well as fundamental aspects of central dopamine system functioning and its control, both intra- and extracellular. Our current approaches include the use of variety of electrophysiological, electrochemical, and anatomical techniques applied both in vivo and in vitro. Because of a strong interest in neurological and mental disorders related to presumed dopaminergic system malfunctioning, consideration of the potential relevance of all research findings to these disorders is an important aspect of the training received in this laboratory.

Publications of Note

Sklair-Tavron, L., Shi, W.X., Lane, S.B., Harris, H.W., Bunney, B.S. and Nestler, E.J. Chronic Morphine Induces Visible Changes in the Morphology of Mesolimbic Dopamine Neurons. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 93:11202-11207, 1996.

Grace, A.A., Bunney, B.S., Moore, H. and Todd, C.L. Dopamine Cell Depolarization Block as a Model for the Therapeutic Actions of Antipsychotic Drugs, Trends Neurosci., 20: 31-37, 1997

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