Abnormal Experiences of Life
Many mental disorders have an initial onset in early adult life. They can have a devastating effect on a person's ability to function in the work place and in social relationships, and may lead to premature death though illness or suicide. The causes of most mental disorders are multi-factorial, with contributions from genes and neurobiology, as well as from environmental circumstances and stress. Understanding these processes holds the key to the development of more effective treatments.
Below is a list of researchers that we have funded in this area with the support of our wonderful donors. Click on the researchers name or grant title to learn more about the researcher and their respective research project(s).
Depression
| John Allen, PhD | Imaging the "Affective" Anterior Cingulate in Depression |
| John Allen, PhD | The Interaction of Candidate Genes and Frontal Brain Asymmetry in Risk for Depression |
| Cheryl Conrad, PhD | Chronic Stress & Gender Effects on Prefrontal Cortex: Implications for Depression |
| Ronald Lukas, PhD | Nicotonic Acetylcholine Receptors in Mental Health |
| Richard Lane, MD, PhD | Neural Basis of Vagal Tone Dysregulation in Depression |
| Francisco Moreno, MD | Association of Monoamine Systems Genes and Depression |
Cancer and Depression
| Karen Weihs, MD | Depression Care in Cancer Patients - Adapting a Model from Primary Care |
Bipolar Disorder
| David Craig, PhD | Genome-wide Case Control Association Study in Bipolar Using Pooled Genomic DNA |
Schizophrenia
| Nicholas Breitborde, MD | Multifamily Psychoeducation and Cognitive Remediation for First-Episode Psychosis |
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Amelia Gallitano-Mendel MD, PhD Matthew Huentelman, PhD |
Identification of Novel Schizophrenia Associations in the RF and ARC Genes |
| Jie Wu, MD, PhD | Nicotonic Receptors in the VTA and it's Modulation of DA Neuron Function |
| Jie Wu, MD, PhD | Hippocampal Gamma Oscillations in Nicotine - and Ketamine - Treated Rats |
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
| Patricia Haynes, PhD | Development of a Chronobiologically - Informed Intervention for Comorbid PTSD/MDD |
| Martha Kent, PhD | Building Resilience: A Neurobiologically-based Affective Intervention for PTSD |
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Patricia Haynes, PhD & Michael Marks, PhD |
Development of Behavioral Sleep Medicine Intervention for Iraq Military Personnel |
Substance Dependence
| Edward Castaneda, PhD | Presynaptic Mechanisms of Cross-sensitization in Stimulant Drug Addiction |
Emotions and Physical Health
| Arthur Craig, PhD | Homeostasis and Emotion |
| Mary Davis, PhD | Emotional Resilience in FibromyalgiaL A study of web-based treatment |
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Richard Lane, MD, PhD & Cynthia Stonnington, MD |
Deficits in Mental Representation of Emotion in Somatizing Patients |
| Nicole Roberts, PhD | Emotional Responding in Psychogenic Nonepeliptic Seizures |