Introduction
The Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences is an integral part of one of the best research environments in the United States. The UW has a strong tradition of interdisciplinary collaboration and cooperation. Our nationally recognized research programs in neurosciences, molecular biology and molecular genetics, neuro-imaging, epidemiology, and health services offer exciting and innovative collaborative opportunities. The department has substantial resources in both space and equipment to support its research mission.
- Over 6,000 square feet of bench laboratory space across multiple sites
- Facilities for radioimmunoassay, receptor autoradiography, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, genetic linkage analysis, and other neurobiological techniques
- Programs utilizing these bench laboratory facilities include studies of neuroendocrine changes in persons with depression, Alzheimer's disease, and panic disorder; neurotransmitter and neuromodulator receptors and gene expression in human postmortem brain tissue; developmental aspects of neurotrophic factors and neurotransmitter systems in mammalian brain; the effects of antipsychotic drugs on dopamine receptors and neurotensin gene expression; genetic cloning and characterization of neurotransmitter receptors; and interactions between peptide hormones and cholinergic systems in behaving animals
- Psychophysiology laboratories performing studies in such areas as evoked potentials, electrodermal response, and eye tracking movements; a modern sleep research laboratory; and neuropsychology laboratories for psychometric assessment of behavior
- Rich clinical programs of the department support active programs of health services research in such areas as psychiatric epidemiology and phenomenology, treatment and treatment outcome, substance abuse, and behavioral aspects of pain
- Implementing evidenced-based practices in traditional clinical settings is a primary objective
- Research training of residents, fellows, and other trainees in research is a high priority goal of the department. Such experience can provide a firm foundation for a career in academic psychiatry, and can also provide a mechanism by which the clinician can interpret accurately the relevance of research findings to clinical practice
