ADRC, Cont.

Research at the ADRC at YPI

The main research focus at the ADRC is to evaluate brain changes in subjects with depression. Using sophisticated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) techniques, we are currently evaluating how the structure and function of the brain in depressed subjects differs from those without depression. We are also examining the effects of antidepressant medications on the brain using these techniques.

The hippocampus is an area of the brain that mediates memory, and is particularly sensitive to stress. High levels of stress hormone called cortisol has been shown to cause damage to the cells in the rat hippocampus. We have previously demonstrated that depressed patients have a smaller size of the hippocampus compared to healthy subjects. Using MRI techniques, we are currently evaluating if depressed subjects with elevated levels of stress hormones have greater memory difficulties and damage to the hippocampus compared to depressed subjects without elevated stress hormone levels. We are also evaluating the function of the brain in depressed patients by measuring brain metabolism using PET scans. We are evaluating whether treatment with antidepressants reverses these brain changes in depressed subjects by repeating an MRI and PET scan after 6 months of treatment with medications like prozac, zoloft, effexor and paxil. Brain changes in subjects with both depression and stress are also being investigated. The effects of the acne medication, Accutane, on mood and brain function is also being investigated. You can be a part of these important and interesting research by calling 203-737-5786 or email meena.narayan@yale.edu.

Copyright ©2005. Yale University School of Medicine, Psychiatry Department. All rights reserved.
Comments or suggestions to the site editor.

Home URL: http://info.med.yale.edu/ysm