Project Summary

Ilan A. Kerman, M.D., Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2007) of the University of Michigan Medical Center, will investigate a possibly critical role in major depression and bipolar disorder resulting from gene alterations in the raphe nuclei, brain structures that house serotonergic neurons, which release the neurotransimitter serotonin. Among therapies used for mood disorders are those that block re-uptake of serotonin. Dr. Kerman will explore gene expression in raphe tissue of mood disorder patients to see whether unique gene expression patterns distinguish patients with major depression or bipolar disorder and if such information could provide new molecular targets for the treatment of mood disorders.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Unipolar/Bipolar

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