The depressed brain: sobering and hopeful lessons

NIH Director’s Lecture | Wednesday, June 10, 2015 | 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. ET

Huda Akil, Ph.D.

Co-Director and Research Professor, MBNI

Distinguished University Professor and Quarton Professor of Neurosciences

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

akil@umich.edu

Website

Summary

In her talk, Dr. Akil will discuss the challenges of understanding the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder at the molecular and cellular level and the surprising insights derived from genomics and human postmortem studies. She will describe how animal models and neuroscience studies at multiple levels (from genetic to behaviorial) can be used to test and validate new targets for treatment and/or as biomarkers of the illness. Her talk will also focus on the notion of “molecular organizers” that play a broad role in neuroplasticity, development, adaptation to the environment, and responsiveness to treatment.