Washington University in St. Louis (WU)
My research focuses are both clinical and basic science. Clinically I am currently studying the use of ketamine for treatment resistant depression. In basic science I focus on the ability of neuroactive chemicals/compounds, prescribed drugs, and abused drugs to injure/kill neurons and glia in the CNS. Most of these agents appear to produce injury by inhibiting neuronal activity (e.g. NMDA antagonists, GABA mimetics, anticonvulsants). Other agents (e.g. solvents) have a less clear mechanism. Techniques used in the lab are pharmacological, histochemical (light and EM), neuroanatomical and cognitive/behavioral in nature. Results could be important for understanding childhood developmental disorders like mental retardation, autism, ADHD, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome as well as adult disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and Alzheimer’s disease.