Molecular Psychiatry

Division of Molecular Psychiatry

Ronald S. Duman, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology
Director, Division of Molecular Psychiatry
Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities

The Division of Molecular Psychiatry sponsors basic neurobiological research aimed at an improved understanding of the causes and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. One distinguishing feature of the Division's research is its interdisciplinary nature: the goal is to build causal bridges among the molecular, cellular, neural systems, and behavioral levels of analysis. A second distinguishing feature is the integration of the basic research with clinical investigations.

A new initiative under the auspices of the Division of Molecular Psychiatry is the Yale Center for Genes and Behavior. The objective of this Center is to identify the precise genetic contributions to complex behavior under normal conditions and in disease states. We are in the process of establishing a broad repertoire of behavioral assays in rodents. These assays will be used to assess the functional roles played by specific genes, which will be manipulated by use of transgenic and viral vector methodologies.

The transplantation of neural cells into animal models of Parkinson's disease is the primary research endeavor of the Neural Transplant & Neurobehavior Program. This interdisciplinary group has ongoing projects using regulatable viral vectors, gene delivery, and stem cells to effect repair of the damaged central nervous system.

Interested students, fellows or faculty are welcome to contact the following individual for additional information:

Ronald S. Duman, PhD

Faculty listing includes only faculty related to the Division of Molecular Psychiatry. A complete Department of Psychiatry Faculty listing is located under 'Research' on index.

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