The Vanderbilt Silvio O. Conte Center for Neuroscience Research, established through funding from the National Institute of Mental Health and the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, supports research and training to elucidate gene, protein and cellular networks through which serotonin (5-HT) modulates brain development, signaling, plasticity and mental illness.  Extensive use is made of novel recombinant and transgenic mouse lines that provide for an unprecedented visualization and manipulation of serotonin signaling in vivo, as well as opportunities to craft important disease models.

The Vanderbilt Silvio O. Conte Center for Neuroscience Research currently supports the projects of six internationally recognized investigators at Vanderbilt and Case Western Universities, as well as the pilot investigations of five junior investigators.  Core laboratories offer state of the art technologies and research support to facilitate interactions among Conte investigators, program consultants and collaborators.