Department of Psychiatry
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Current VA and Department of Defense AwardsTo James J. Peters VA Investigators andMount Sinai Psychiatry Faculty MembersWilliam ByneOligodendrocytes in Aging and Major Mental Illness This project examines how major mental illnesses and/or neuroleptic exposure impact the turnover of the myelin sheath and the increase in oligodendrocyte number that occur in normal aging. A variety of anatomical and molecular biological techniques are employed in postmortem human material and animal models. Stella DrachevaSerotonin 2C Receptor mRNA Editing in Suicide In our previous studies we have detected increased mRNA editing of the serotonin 2C receptor (5-HT2CR) in suicide subjects who had suffered from either Schizophrenia (SZ) or Bipolar Disorder (BPD) prior to death. This difference may have a profound implications on the functionality of the serotonergic system in the brains of suicides. The current study aims: 1) To elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying this increased 5-HT2CR editing in suicide in the context of SZ and BPD; 2) To investigate whether suicide in the context of Major Depression is associated with variations in editing similar to those detected in SZ and BPD suicide victims. Gregory ElderNeurobiological Consequences of Blast Injury in a Rat Model of mTBI The goal of this project is to using a rat model of blast related traumatic brain injury (TBI) determine whether blast injury damages brain structures that are important in mediating responses to psychological stressors and thus enhances the likelihood of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) type traits when exposed to subsequent stressors. Dates of Proposed Project: 7/1/2009-6/30/2012 Annual Direct Costs: $250,000 Percent Effort/Person Months: 3.6 calendar months Marianne GoodmanTreatment of Anger and Aggression in Borderline Personality Disorder This projects examines changes in psychophysiology measures and functional magnetic imaging pre and post 12 month trial of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for individuals with borderline personality disorder. High Risk Suicidal Behavior in Veterans- Assessment of Predictors and Efficacy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy This study aims to empirically test the efficacy of dialectical behavioral therapy relative to treatment as usual in the prevention of suicidal behavior and intermediate symptoms associated with suicidal behavior. Vahram HaroutunianGlutamatergic Dysfunction in Elderly Schizophrenic Patients This VA Merit review grant explores the role of the glutamate system in the myelin and oligodendrocyte deficits in schizophrenia. The studies use laser capture microscopy to study quantitatively glutamate receptor expression in neurons and oligodendrocytes separately. Antonia NewHigh Risk Suicidal Behavior in Veterans- Assessment of Predictors and Efficacy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy This study aims to empirically test the efficacy of dialectical behavioral therapy relative to treatment as usual in the prevention of suicidal behavior and intermediate symptoms associated with suicidal behavior. Ruth WalkerThe role of H2 field of Forel/zona incerta in PD neurosurgical therapy Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) has become state-of-the-art therapy for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who no longer respond adequately to optimal medical therapy. However, the ideal target site for electrode placement remains a subject of debate. Clinical studies examining the placement of the most effective STN stimulating electrode contacts suggest that the region dorsolateral to the STN, which includes the H2 field of Forel (H2) and the zona incerta (ZI), may be the best target site. This project studies the effects of lesions and stimulation of the H2/ZI in the rat model of PD upon motor behaviors and brain neurochemistry. Rachel YehudaNeuroendocrine Correlates of PTSD Before and After Treatment. Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial of Mifepristone in Gulf War Veterans with Chronic Multisymptom Illness. Neural and Cognitive Correlates of Glucocorticoid Responsiveness in PTSD Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Individual Differences in Response to Stress in a Previously Validated Animal Model of PTSD Biomarkers for PTSD Epigenetic Biomarkers for PTSD |
