[MNPS Membership Roster] [MNPS Meeting Rosters]

The Molecular Neuropharmacology and Signaling [MNPS] Study Section reviews applications on neurotransmitter and receptor-mediated signal transduction with a particular focus on neurochemical, neuroendocrine and molecular neuropharmacological mechanisms. This includes studies of ligand-receptor interactions, neuromodulator and hormonal interactions, neurotransmitter uptake and metabolism, and neurotransmitter and neuropeptide synthesis. Emphasis is on fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms, including those relevant to the mechanisms of addiction and mental disorders, neurodegenerative disorders. Specific areas covered by MNPS:

• Pharmacological and neurochemical studies of receptor activation, G-protein coupling and signal transduction cascades of G-protein coupled receptors; studies of receptor agonists and antagonists; studies of receptor modulation by interacting proteins.
• Cellular and molecular mechanisms of drugs of abuse, addiction, stress and mood disorders; cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying experimental and therapeutic approaches.
• Neuropharmacology of neurotransmitter signaling, ligand-gated ion channels, and neuromodulatory pathways; neurotransmitter and neuropeptide synthesis and regulation; genetic  regulation of these events.
• Metabolic and synaptic plasticity; neurophysiology and neuropharmacology of modulatory mechanisms including electrophysiological studies; regulation of synaptic dynamics such as release, diffusion, re-uptake, inactivation.
• Modulators of synaptic function, including growth factors, neurotrophins, neuropeptides, hormones, neurotoxins and age.
  

The study sections with most closely related areas of science listed in rank order are:

Pathophysiological Basis of Mental Disorders and Addictions [PMDA]
Neurotransporters, Receptors, Channels and Calcium Signaling [NTRC]
Neural Oxidative Metabolism and Cell Death [NOMD]
Synapses, Cytoskeleton and Trafficking [SYN]  
Biophysics of Neural Systems [BPNS]