Project Summary

Ron Sullivan, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2000) of Centre de Recherche Fernand-Sequin, is examining the effects of various developmental treatments on expression of asymmetries (differences in the structure and function of the right and left hemispheres) in the brain cortex.  An imbalance of activity between the two hemispheres has been suggested by studies of depression and anxiety disorders, and these imbalances may explain the negative effects of stress in these illnesses.  In this animal study, a technique called receptor autoradiography will be used to determine the neural mechanisms most responsible for these asymmetries.  This work may lead to the development of new medications which normalize maladaptive cortical asymmetries, therefore optimizing the ability to cope with stress.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Depression (Unipolar)

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