The 99th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Pharmacological Society

Chair:Satoshi Deyama(Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University), Kazuki Nagayasu(Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Osaka)

Appropriate regulation of emotion is essential for the survival of an organism, and its dysfunction is implicated in the onset and exacerbation of various disorders, including psychiatric illnesses. Such emotional regulation is thought to rely on coordinated neural activity across multiple brain regions, as well as dynamic fluctuations in the release of neurotransmitters. In this symposium, we will introduce cutting-edge research on the fundamental components underlying emotional processes and discuss these findings with the audience. In particular, we will highlight recent advances in our understanding of cortical and subcortical mechanisms of emotional regulation (Dr. Kasai, Dr. Nagai), as well as the roles of key neuromodulatory systems such as serotonin and dopamine (Dr. Kimura, Dr. Omura) in shaping emotional control.