Research
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation focuses its research primarily on eight of the most common mental illnesses in the United States and other developed countries—schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, autism, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). NARSAD Grants are awarded to researchers in these fields according to four different categories: Basic Research, New Technologies, Diagnostic Tools/Early Intervention, and Next Generation Treatments.
The following are the latest NARSAD Grant statistics as of February 2013 according to the Foundation website:
Total given since 1987 (26th year of grant giving): $289,322,696.27
Total number of grantees: 3,319
Total number of grants given: 4,278
Total number of institutions: 434
Total number of countries (other than the U.S.): 32
The most recent NARSAD Grantee Listing, from 2011, is available as a PDF file on the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation website. The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Scientific Council, led by Herb Pardes, M.D., Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, consists of 138 volunteer mental health leaders who review over one thousand grant applications each year across all major areas of brain and behavior research and make recommendations. This group also advises the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Board of Directors on policy and program decisions. The Foundation also sponsors the Schizophrenia Research Forum website, an online community of scientists collaborating in their search for causes, improved treatments, and better understanding of schizophrenia.
Recent Scientific Discoveries by NARSAD Grantees
Schizophrenia
• NARSAD grantees evaluated real-world behavior in individuals with schizophrenia following the combination of cognitive remediation and functional skills training in a study that was designated on Dec. 12, 2012, as an American Journal of Psychiatry (AJP) “Editor’s Choice” for the year.
• A study published online in the Archives of General Psychiatry on July 2, 2012 found that a family history of schizophrenia and/or bipolar disorder is a risk factor for autism.
• Another study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry in February 2012 showed that cognitive therapy can be used to improve the negative symptoms of schizophrenia (such as avolition and alogia).
• The journal Science published research on the discovery of rare genetic mutations found in high volumes in people with schizophrenia in its April 2008 issue.
Depression
• A study published in Nature in July 2012 shows that the hormone melanocortin may be responsible for anhedonia (the inability to experience pleasure), one of the most crippling symptoms of depression.
• In February 2010 Nature published results from a study on the efficacy of antidepressants, aiming to understand why antidepressants may fail to relieve symptoms of depression for up to 50 percent of patients.
• The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published an article on NARSAD Grant-funded research that reports the thinning of the cortex in the brain, which is the part of the brain responsible for higher thinking and functioning, is linked to depression risk.
Bipolar Disorder
• A study published in The Archives of General Psychiatry shows that babies exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy have abnormal neuromotor performance (which can lead to bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression).
• Study published in the June 2012 issue of Archives of General Psychiatry finds that premature birth is a risk factor for mental illnesses including bipolar disorder, psychosis, and depression.
• In 2007, the National Institute of Mental Health reported on a discovery by two NARSAD Grantees that a breast cancer drug called tamoxifen can also treat symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Autism
• Yale study demonstrates that oxytocin increases brain function in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
• Study published online in Nature in April 2012 shows specific gene mutations are risk factors for autism.
• In March 2012 the Archives of General Psychiatry reported on a study that helps improve scientists’ ability to identify genetic susceptibility for autism and create better treatments.
Anxiety
• The journal Neuron reported in March 2012 on a study showing how repeated stress damages the brain and pointing to ways to prevent such damage from occurring.
• A March 2012 article in The Journal of Neuroscience reported on a study of hormones called glucocorticoids that point to a potentially powerful strategy to improve treatments for depression and anxiety.
• Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reported on June 11, 2012 about a study showing improvements in mood, reduced levels of anger, depression, anxiety and fatigue in students who received integrative body-mind training.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• First Lady Michelle Obama boosts PTSD research to help veterans; 92 of the participating institutions have NARSAD-Grant-funded scientists.
• The journal Science reported in January 2011 on a study of electrical synapses pointing to new ways to treat trauma and anxiety disorders.
• In September 2011, the Archives of General Psychiatry published a study identifying a potential new target for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• In September 2011 Psychcentral.com reported on a study where researchers successfully created a mouse model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that closely mimics OCD in humans, which may help reveal new treatments for the disorder.
• In November 2010 a NARSAD Grantfunded research team became the first to provide an animal model that accurately mirrors the specific brain regions that are disrupted in OCD.
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• The journal PloS ONE published a study in April 2012 describing an important genetic discovery in ADHD involving the gene SynCAM1, found in glial cells.
• In April 2012 Nature Neuroscience published findings from a study in which researchers were able to identify a number of previously unknown networks in the brain that may predict the likelihood of drug and alcohol experimentation in teens. They also discovered new networks connected to ADHD symptoms.
• In 1999 results from the most comprehensive study on treatments for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were published in the Archives of General Psychiatry. The study showed that medication combined with talk therapy is best for treating ADHD.
Read more about this topic: Brain & Behavior Research Foundation
Famous quotes containing the word research:
“I did my research and decided I just had to live it.”
—Karina O’Malley, U.S. sociologist and educator. As quoted in the Chronicle of Higher Education, p. A5 (September 16, 1992)
“If politics is the art of the possible, research is surely the art of the soluble. Both are immensely practical-minded affairs.”
—Peter B. Medawar (1915–1987)
“One of the most important findings to come out of our research is that being where you want to be is good for you. We found a very strong correlation between preferring the role you are in and well-being. The homemaker who is at home because she likes that “job,” because it meets her own desires and needs, tends to feel good about her life. The woman at work who wants to be there also rates high in well-being.”
—Grace Baruch (20th century)