Albert H.C. Wong, M.D., Ph.D., F.R.C.P.(C)

Associate Professor, Pharmacology Research Scientist, Neuroscience Division Staff Psychiatrist, Schizophrenia Division Centre for Addiction and Mental Health General Area of Research: Neurobiology of Schizophrenia Molecular and Genetic Studies in Schizophrenia

Our lab is interested in disease mechanisms in psychiatric illnesses like schizophrenia and depression. We use animal models to investigate gene x environment interactions, epigenetics, transcription and neurodevelopment. We also have human clinical samples and studies probing spatial navigation in a VR environment.

Students have the opportunity to work on a number of related projects:

(1) Disc1 gene mutant mouse models - characterization of genetic and environmental effects on neuron migration during cortical development;

(2) Novel brain RNA transcripts regulating sensory gating in rodents as an endophenotype for schizophrenia;

(3) Heritability of DNA methylation profiles and effects on behavioural phenotype in the mouse;

(4) Spatial navigation in schizophrenia as a probe for hippocampal function using VR. 

Selected Publications:

Lee FH, Kaidanovich-Beilin O, Roder JC, Woodgett JR, Wong AH: Genetic inactivation of GSK3α rescues spine deficits in Disc1-L100P mutant mice, Schizophrenia Research 129 (2011) 74-76.

Lee FH, Preston-Maher K, Fadel MP, Cordes SP, Clapcote SJ, Price DJ, Roder JC, Wong AHC: Disc1 point mutations in mice alter development of the cerebral cortex. J Neurosci. 2 March 2011, 31(9):3197-3206.

Souza RP, Romano-Silva M, Lieberman JA, Meltzer HY, MacNeil LT, Culotti JG, Kennedy JL, Wong AHC: Genetic association of the GDNF alpha receptor genes with schizophrenia and clozapine response. J Psychiat Res. 2010 Aug; 44(11):700-6.

Rastogi A, Zai C, Likhodi O, Kennedy JL, Wong AHC: Genetic association and post-mortem brain mRNA analysis of the DISC1 gene in schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Res. 2009 Vol. 114, Issue 1, Pages 39-49.

Labrie V, Fukumura R, Rastogi A, Fick LJ, Wang W, Boutros PC, Kennedy JL, Semeralul MO, Lee FH, Baker GB, Belsham DD, Barger SW, Gondo Y, Wong AH, Roder JC: Serine racemase is associated with schizophrenia susceptibility in humans and in a mouse model. Hum Mol Genet. 2009 Sep 1;18(17):3227-43.

Kaminsky ZA, Tang T, Wang SC, Ptak C, Oh G, Wong AHC, Feldcamp LA, Virtanen C, Halfvarsson J, Tysk C, McRae A, Visscher P, Montgomery GW, Gottesman II, Martin NG, and Petronis A: DNA methylome studies in twins. Nature Genetics. 2009; 41, 240 – 245.

Feldcamp L, Souza RP, Romano-Silva M, Kennedy JL, Wong AHC: Reduced prefrontal cortex DARPP-32 mRNA in completed suicide victims with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Res. 2008; Volume 103, Issue 1-3, pp 192–200.

Buckle C, Chuah YM, Fones CS, Wong AH: A conceptual history of Koro. Transcult Psychiat. 2007; 44(1):27-43.

De Luca V, Hlousek D, Likhodi O, Van Tol HH, Kennedy JL, Wong AH: The interaction between TPH2 promoter haplotypes and clinical-demographic risk factors in suicide victims with major psychoses. Genes Brain Behav. 2006; 5(1):107-10.

Semeralul MO, Boutros PC, Likhodi O, Okey AB, Van Tol HHM, Wong AHC: Microarray analysis of the developing cortex. J Neurobiology. 2006 Dec; 66(14):1646-58.

Wong AHC, Gottesman I, Petronis A: Phenotypic differences in genetically identical organisms: the epigenetic perspective. Human Mol Gen. 2005; 14(R1): R11-18.

Wong AHC, Trakalo J, Likhodi O, Yusuf M, Macedo A, Azevedo M-H, Klempan T, Pato MT, Honer WG, Pato CN, Van Tol HHM, Kennedy JL: Association between schizophrenia and the syntaxin 1a gene. Biol Psychiat. 2004; 56(1):24-29.

Wong AHC, Macciardi F, Klempan T, Kawczynski W, Barr CL, Lakatoo S, Wong M, Buckle C, Trakalo J, Boffa E, Oak J, Azevado M-H, Dourado A, Coelho I, Macedo A, Vicente A, Valente J, Paz Ferreira C, Pato MT, Pato CN, Kennedy JL, Van Tol HHM: The identification of candidate genes for psychosis in rat models and possible association between schizophrenia and the 14-3-3 gene. Mol Psychiat. 2003; 8(2):156-166.

Wong AHC, Knapp MGL, Van Tol HHM: Dopamine receptor gene transfer into rat striatum using a recombinant adenoviral vector: rotational behaviour. Neurosci. Lett. 2000; 291(3):135-138.

Wong AHC, Voruganti LNP, Hesselgrave RJ, Awad AG: Neurocognitive Deficits and Neurological Signs in Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Res. 1997; 23(2):139-146.

Contact Address:
Centre for Addiction & Mental Health - Clarke Division
Room 711
250 College Street
Toronto, ON,
M5T 1R8

Phone: 416-535-8501, Ext 4010
FAX: 416-979-4663
Email: albert.wong@utoronto.ca