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Daniel Pine, PhD, Chief
The investigators in the Experimental
Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch conduct clinical and basic research
studies on the pathop hysiology, etiology, and treatment of mood and anxiety
disorders. This research group focuses on identifying the neural circuits and
neurochemicals that mediate the symptoms associated with mood and anxiety
disorders. Children, adolescents, and adults are studied and there is a strong
emphasis on the developmental perspective. Investigations utilize a
broad range of techniques including neurochemical, neuroendocrine, neurophysiological,
and neuroimaging approaches. The genetic epidemiology program applies the tools
of epidemiology and genetics to identify risk factors for mood and anxiety
disorders, and their association with other psychiatric and medical disorders.
Patients with bipolar disorder, unipolar
depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized
anxiety disorder, and panic disorder are studied. Major hypotheses under investigation include
the effects of stress on brain structure and function and the role of neuropeptides,
growth factors, amino acid and monoamine neurotransmitters in the pathophysiology of
mood and anxiety disorders.
The translation of the basic and
clinical findings relevant to pathophysiology into the discovery of novel effective
treatments is also of great importance to the branch. Ultimately our goal is to
contribute toward improved methods of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of these
common and very serious psychiatric disorders.
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