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Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry Neuropsychopharmacology research in Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry involves the study of molecular mechanisms of action of drugs used to treat neuropsychiatric disorders. One major area of research involves the study of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs), which comprise a superfamily of enzymes involved in the regulation of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP signaling. Certain PDEs are being investigated as potential pharmacological targets for mediation of antidepressant, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, and memory-enhancing effects. A second area of research focuses on the central noradrenergic system in the brain as a mediator of antidepressant effects. Long-term behavioral effects of antidepressant drugs involve regulation of the norepinephrine transporter, postsynaptic adrenergic receptors, and post-receptor signal transduction mechanisms. Ongoing neuropsychopharmacological research in the Department involves a multidisciplinary approach, utilizing behavioral, neurochemical, and molecular analyses, directed toward elucidating mechanisms that underlie the behavioral effects of drugs used to treat neuropsychiatric disorders. Details regarding ongoing research can be found at the following links: James M. O'Donnell, Ph.D., Han-Ting Zhang, M.D., Ph.D.,
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