Anantha Shekhar, M.D., Ph.D.

Anantha Shekhar, M.D., Ph.D. Associate Dean for Translational Research Raymond E. Houk Professor of Psychiatry Professor of Pharmacology and Neurobiology
Personal Statement	As the director of the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, I lead the effort to promote IUSM research that focuses on translating discoveries in basic neurosciences into potential clinical applications to treat neuropsychiatric disorders such as panic disorder, schizophrenia, and autism. I conduct numerous foundation supported studies, including being the principal investigator of the longitudinal study of disease risk factors in Indiana population. I am also the director of the Neuroscience Clinical Research Center.
Education	Undergraduate: St. Joseph's College Medical School: St. John's Medical College Graduate School: Indiana University School of Medicine Residency: Indiana University School of Medicine Fellowship: Indiana University School of Medicine Board Certifications/Certifications: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Current Academic Interests	Teaching: Involved in teaching psychiatry residency and fellowship programs and in the medical neurosciences programs. Research: My basic science studies have focused on defining the neutral basis of panic disorder, social anxiety, and stress-induced emotional disorders. My translational work has focused on developing novel treatment targets for major psychiatric disordres in patients with panic disorder and schizophrenia.
Recent Publications	Shekhar A, Potter WZ, Lightfoot J, Leinneman J, McKenzie D, Bymaster F, Felder C. Selective Muscarinic Receptor Agonist Xanomeline is a Novel Treatment Approach for Schizophrenia. Am. J. Psychiatry. (2008) in press. Johnson PL, Truitt WA, Fitz SD, Keim SR, Lowry CA, Shekhar A. Neural circuits underlying panic-like response to sodium lactate. J. Neuropsychopharmacol. (2008) Jan 4. epub ahead of text. Sajdyk TJ, Johnson PL, Fitz SD, Moran M, Gehlert DR, Urban J, Shekhar A. NPY-induced synaptic plasticity results in stress resilience. J. Neurosci. (2008) 28(4):893-903.