Research
Since 1956, the Institute of Psychiatric Research has built an internationally renowned psychiatric research program which contributes to the advancement of mental illness treatment. The mission of IPR is supported by a variety of scientific research projects.
Research Funding Sources
•
National Institute of Mental Health •
National Institute on Drug Abuse •
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism •
National Institute on Aging • Industry and private foundations
Preclinical and Clinical Research and Methods
Addictions
Research that focuses on understanding the neurobiological and genetic determinants of substance abuse. Methods in humans: controlled settings for alcohol administration; EEG/ERP; neuroimaging (PET/fMRI); computerized alcohol administration; candidate genes for alcoholism. Methods in genetic rodent models of alcoholism and animal models of cocaine and nicotine addiction; operant procedures; intracranial and intravenous self-administration; microdialysis; behavioral pharmacology; single-cell recording and microiontophoresis; EEG/ERP; computerized alcohol administration; genomics; proteomics; development of protocols to elicit specific patterns of drinking; monitoring autonomic function.
Autism
Research into the genetics of autism and the development of animal models. Methods in humans: candidate gene studies. Methods in animals: models of social dysfunction co-morbid with aggression; immunohistochemisty; in-situ hybridization; receptor autoradiography; radioimmunoassay.
Anxiety Disorders
Investigations of the neural pathways involved in fear and anxiety. Methods: animal models of panic disorder, social anxiety and depression; in-situ hybridization; immunohistochemistry; monitoring autonomic function and behavioral activity.
Bipolar and Mood Disorders
Characterization of the genes linked to bipolar disorder. Methods in humans: studies of clinical subtypes; identification of candidate genes; DNA sequencing; PCR genotyping; hybrid analysis of protein-protein interactions; neuropharmacogenomics; microarray gene expression; convergent functional genomics; phenochipping. Methods in animal models: in-situ hybridization; immunohistochemistry; receptor autoradiography; radioimmunoassay; breeding studies and gene localization.
Bipolar Research Collaboration
[
Website]
Manic depression (bipolar disorder) has heritable factors (genes), but the mode of inheritance is poorly understood. The goal of this 11 university research study [
website] is to detect and localize the genes that increase or decrease chances of developing bipolar disorder and related conditions. Our aim is to compile a national archival database for bipolar disorder (a gene bank) that can provide us and other researchers large, well-categorized samples for genetic studies. The current evidence in the field suggests there may be multiple genes involved in these disorders.
Circadian Rhythms and Sleep Disorders
Investigation of the genetic determinants of biological rhythms disrupted in psychiatric disorders. Methods: animal models; DNA sequencing; genomics; PCR genotyping; hybrid analysis of protein-protein interactions; molecular genetics and enzymology.
Cognitive Disorders
Research focused on the mechanisms underlying the degenerative diseases of the brain such as Alzheimer's disease, other dementias and pseudo-dementia of depression. Methods: specific drug development; evaluation of neuroprotective factors; neurocomputational modeling; receptor binding and membrane transport of neurotransmitters.
Genetics of Alcoholism
[
Website]
The Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) is a large–scale family study designed to identify genes that affect the risk for alcoholism (i.e., alcohol dependence) and alcohol–related characteristics and behaviors. This collaborative project is funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Data collection, analysis, and/or storage for this study take place at nine sites across the United States. Because alcoholism is a complex genetic disorder, the COGA researchers expect that multiple genes will contribute to the risk. In other words, there will be no single "gene for alcoholism" but rather variations in many different genes, interacting with the environment, placing some people at significantly higher risk for the disease.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Investigations of psychiatric illnesses (autism, addictions, schizophrenia, mood disorders) as neurodevelopmental disorders. Methods: select brain lesioning in neonatal animals and characterizations of behavioral, physiological, molecular, biological and neurological development throughout the lifespan.
Schizophrenia
Investigations into the neurobiology of schizophrenia. Methods in animal models: gene expression; genomics; monitoring autonomic function and behavioral activity; intracerebral microinjection procedures; intravenous self-administration. Methods in humans: EEG/ERP.
