Division of Psychiatric Neurosciences

Photo of Dr. Neumaier

John Neumaier, M.D., Ph.D.
Division Head


Research Programs
The Division of Psychiatric Neurosciences is composed of researchers at the University of Washington Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, and Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center. Its primary goal is to develop the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences' research and research training in basic and clinical neurosciences. Based on the research interests of faculty members, the Division is subdivided into the areas of Behavioral Genetics, Molecular and Cellular neurosciences, Clinical and Developmental neurosciences, Neuroimaging, and Psychopharmocology. Research within the Division is directed toward understanding psychiatric disturbances and normal and abnormal behaviors at a fundamental biological level, along with the mechanism of action and/or development of drugs useful in the treatment of psychiatric diseases.

Behavioral Genetics  
Zoran Brkanac, M.D. Molecular Genetics of Ataxia and Reading Disability
Parvoneh Poorkaj Navas, Ph.D. Molecular and Genetic Interactions in Tauopathies
Wendy Raskind, M.D. Developmental and Molecular Genetics
Debby Tsuang, M.D., M.Sc. Genetic Epidemiology of Dementia and Schizophrenia

Clinical Neuroscience  
David Avery M.D. Neurobiology and Treatment of Affective
Monique Cherrier, Ph.D. Aging, Alzheimer's Disease, Memory, Neuroimaging
Suzanne Craft, Ph.D. Neuroendocrine Effects on Cognitive Function in Normal and Pathological Aging
Elaine R. Peskind, M.D. Stress Hormones in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease
Allen Radant, M.D. Oculomotor Dysfunction in Schizophrenia/Genetics of Schizophrenia
Murray Raskind, M.D. Neuroendocrinology and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
Peter Roy-Byrne, M.D. Genetic Markers of Treatment Response
Richard Veith, M.D. Major Depression in Cardiac Disease, Sympathetic Nervous System Function
Michael Vitiello, Ph.D. The Effects of Aging on Sleep

Clinical Psychopharmacocogy
/Toxicology
 
Andre' M. Tapp M.D. Psychopharmacology of Schizophrenia

Developmental Neuroscience  
Ann Streissguth, Ph.D. Brain Impairment Associated with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Enrique Villacres M.D. Genetic Causes of Autism
Sara Webb Ph.D. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Neurobiology of Autism

Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience  
Douglas Bowden M.D. Primate Behavior and Neurobiology
Michael Clark, M.D., Ph.D. The Molecular Biology of Stress and the Dorsal Raphe
Mark Dubach M.D. Basal Ganglia Neurophysiology
Ruth Kohen M.D. Serotonin Receptors, Molecular Basis of Mood Disorders and Schizophrenia
Dianne Lattemann Ph.D. Endocrinology, Insulin Metabolism & Action, Brain-Gut Peptides
James Leverenz M.D. Molecular Pathology of the Locus Coeruleus
Pamela McMillan, Ph.D. Insulin and glucocorticoid pathways in neurodegenerative diseases
John Neumaier, M.D., Ph.D. Serotonin receptors in animal models of stress, addiction, and cognition/Neuroendocrine regulation of serotonin neurotransmission/Molecular pharmacology of serotonin receptors
Valerie Olson, Ph.D. Norepinephrine in animal models of post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction
Paul Phillips, Ph.D. Neurochemistry and Behavior
Dennis Rasmussen, Ph.D. Neuroendocrine Mechanisms in Alcohol Abuse
Nephi Stella, Ph.D. Cannabinoids as Therapy for Brain Tumors
Patricia Szot, Ph.D. Regulation of Monoamine Transporters
Charles Wilkinson, Ph.D. Neuroendocrine Function in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease

Neuroimaging  
Elizabeth Aylward, Ph.D. Structural and Functional MRI
Paul Borghesani, M.D., Ph.D. Neuroimaging of aging and dementia
Paul Connor, Ph.D. Neuropsychological and Neuroimaging Assessment of the Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Satoshi Minoshima, M.D., Ph.D. Neurodegenerative Diseases and Other Brain Disorders Using Innovative Imaging Technology
Eric C. Petrie, M.D. Structural and Functional Neuroimaging of Cholinergic and Adrenergic Function in Neurodegenerative and Psychiatric Disorders