|
 |
||
      |
|
| » What We Do
» Who We Are - Board of Directors - Scientific Council - National Leadership Council - Leadership Awards - Staff - Contact Us » History & Accomplishments » Financial Information 
|
 Biography   Randy D. Blakely, Ph.D. Allan D. Bass Professor of Pharmacology Director, Center for Molecular Neuroscience Professor of Psychiatry Vanderbilt University Dr. Blakely studies neurotransmitter transporter molecules to understand how their structure relates to antidepressant and psychostimulant recognition and how knowledge of their regulation may elucidate mechanisms of brain disease. These transporters are essential to neuronal function. Dr. Blakely’s group has cloned genes encoding multiple neurotransmitter transporters, including those encoding norepinephrine and serotonin transporters, the targets of most clinically used antidepressants. Applying techniques of molecular biology and biochemistry, Dr. Blakely and his colleagues are modifying transporters to examine, in vitro, how structure determines neurotransmitter specificity and where drugs such as antidepressants interact. They are also trying to understand how the brain regulates transporter activity to achieve the proper balance of neurotransmitter signaling. Many mental and behavioral disorders are associated with neurotransmitter dysfunction. The Blakely laboratory is examining human subjects for alterations in transporter genes, focusing on patients with autism, attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and major depression. Dr. Blakely joined NARSAD’s Scientific Council in 1999 and received NARSAD Distinguished Investigator Awards in 1996 and 2005. |
Latest News from NARSAD
Upcoming NARSAD Events
Infoline
|
