My research interests are neurobiological mechanisms underlying mood disorders, namely depression and bipolar disorder. Our main aim is to develop clinically relevant animal models of diseases, and understand neurobiological substrates responsible for eliciting behavioral, physiological and endocrine changes related to disease state. Using in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, receptor autoradiography, and radioimmunoassay, the neural circuitry and neurotransmitter system involved in depression-like responses will be identified. We believe that if we can discover "where in the brain", and "what changes" to elicit neuropsychiatric symptoms, then we can hypothesize what is needed to develop novel and more effective treatment for mood disorders.
