Professor Raz Yirmiya stands at the forefront of research exploring how the immune system shapes mental health, leading the Laboratory for Psychoneuroimmunology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His seminal discoveries transformed our understanding of depression's biological roots when he became the first scientist to demonstrate experimentally that inflammation triggers depressive symptoms. By developing sophisticated animal models and conducting careful human studies, he revealed how inflammatory challenges affect mood and cognition, illuminating entirely new perspectives on depression's underlying mechanisms. His research unveiled the essential role of brain inflammation and microglia cells in stress-induced depression, particularly documenting how interleukin-1β and microglial dynamics influence both depressive symptoms and neurogenesis. This foundational work has become an extensive exploration of novel treatments, as Professor Yirmiya leads efforts to develop innovative antidepressants that target microglial function. Beyond his research breakthroughs, he has shaped the field through leadership roles, including serving as President of the Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society and associate editor of Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. In this Genomic Press Interview, Professor Yirmiya reflects on his scientific journey and shares insights illuminating the personal and professional dimensions of his quest to understand depression's biological foundations.
Professor Inga Neumann stands at the forefront of neuropeptide research, bringing over three decades of expertise to her role as Chair of the Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology at the University of Regensburg, Germany. Her journey in science began in East Germany at the Karl-Marx-University in Leipzig (now the University of Leipzig), where she earned both her diploma in biology and her PhD. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, her career path led her through a postdoctoral position at the University of Calgary in Canada and seven enriching years at the Max-Planck Institute for Psychiatry in Munich before assuming her current position at Regensburg in 2001. As the first woman to be appointed full professor at the Faculty of Biology and Preclinical Medicine, she has shaped the University's neuroscience landscape by establishing and directing the Elite Masters Programme in Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience. Currently, she heads the Graduate School “Neurobiology of Socio-Emotional Dysfunctions,” a prestigious program funded by the German Research Foundation since 2017. The heart of her research lies in understanding how neuropeptides, particularly oxytocin, vasopressin, and CRF, orchestrate stress responses and social behaviours. Her work spans multiple levels of analysis – from molecular mechanisms and epigenetics to neural circuits and behaviour – primarily using rodent models to unlock the mysteries of the social brain. In this Genomic Press Interview, Professor Neumann shares her reflections on a life dedicated to unravelling the intricate relationships between brain chemistry and behaviour, offering insights into both her scientific journey and personal philosophy.
Dr. Munir “Gunes” Kutlu, Assistant Professor at the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CSAR) and the Department of Neural Sciences at Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, investigates the neural mechanisms underlying associative learning, mainly focusing on reward, fear, and social interaction. Drawing from his computational neuroscience training at Duke University and postdoctoral work at Temple and Vanderbilt Universities, Dr. Kutlu combines systems neuroscience, computational approaches, and behavioral analysis to understand how our brains process environmental associations and how these processes can become maladaptive in disease states. His laboratory, dedicated to “bridging the brain-behavior gap,” fosters a collaborative environment that nurtures the next generation of neuroscientists while pursuing innovative neural circuit analysis approaches in reward and aversive learning contexts. In this Genomic Press interview, Dr. Kutlu shares his insights on these fascinating aspects of behavioral neuroscience and his laboratory's mission to advance our understanding of neural circuit function in health and disease.
Peter Kalivas stands as a pioneering architect in our understanding of addiction neuroscience, having transformed our knowledge of how substances of abuse reshape brain circuits and cellular function. Over four decades, his groundbreaking research has illuminated the fundamental mechanisms underlying substance use disorders, mainly through his seminal discoveries of glutamate's critical role in addiction and his innovative work on the “tetrapartite synapse” – revealing how astroglia and the extracellular matrix regulate addictive behaviors. With over 400 publications and eight edited volumes, his research has revolutionized our conceptual framework for treating addiction by identifying novel therapeutic targets beyond traditional neurotransmitter systems. After receiving his PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Washington and completing postdoctoral training at the University of North Carolina, Dr. Kalivas built an extraordinary scientific legacy at Washington State University and then as the founding Chair of Neuroscience at the Medical University of South Carolina. There, he established a world-renowned research program that has trained generations of addiction scientists while developing innovative approaches to understanding stress, PTSD, and substance use disorders. Now serving as Distinguished University Professor, he continues to pioneer new frontiers in addiction neuroscience through his work on neural circuits and synaptic plasticity. In this Genomic Press Interview, Dr. Kalivas shares insights from his remarkable journey investigating the neurobiology of addiction and his vision for the field's future.
Joseph B. Martin, MD, PhD, Edward R. and Anne G. Lefler Professor of Neurobiology, Emeritus, former Dean of Harvard Medical School (1997–2007), and former Dean of the School of Medicine (1989–1993) and Chancellor (1993–1997) of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), presents the second guest editorial in this Festschrift issue honoring Dr. Seymour Reichlin's centennial. Drawing from his experience as one of Dr. Reichlin's earliest fellows in 1967 at the University of Rochester, where he completed his PhD in anatomy, Martin provides a personal account of his scientific journey under Reichlin's mentorship. He details their groundbreaking work on hypothalamic-pituitary regulation, which laid the foundation for Martin's distinguished career in neurology and academic medicine. Martin describes Reichlin as the “quintessential physician-scientist,” highlighting his mentor's exceptional breadth of knowledge and innovative approach to neuroendocrine research. Their decades-long collaboration culminated in co-authoring the definitive 1987 textbook Clinical Neuroendocrinology and numerous influential publications. The guest editorial offers unique insights into Reichlin's lasting impact on the field from one of academic medicine's most accomplished leaders, including observations of his mentor's continued scientific contributions at age 100, exploring novel applications of neuroendocrine regulators in cognition and sensory function.
Professor Helen Lavretsky, a pioneering force in geriatric psychiatry and integrative medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)'s Departments of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of brain health and aging. Her groundbreaking research connecting mind-body interventions with neurobiological mechanisms has transformed skepticism into scientific acceptance, establishing new paradigms in mental health care. As director of research for the UCLA's Integrative Medicine Collaborative and Late-life Mood, Stress and Wellness Research Program, she has led seminal studies on novel therapeutic combinations for treatment-resistant depression and cognitive disorders. Her work, recognized by “triple crown” honors from major psychiatric associations in 2020, spans from innovative psychopharmacology to pioneering investigations in yoga and Tai Chi for mental health. A dedicated mentor who has championed women and underrepresented minorities in science for over 25 years, Professor Lavretsky currently serves as President of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (2022–25), and she is on the Advisory Research Council to the National Center of Complementary and Integrative Medicine. In her engaging Genomic Press Interview, Professor Lavretsky shares insights from her remarkable journey from a young medical student to becoming a leading voice in integrative psychiatry, offering a compelling glimpse into the future of personalized mental health care.
The physiologic experiments of the 1950s and 1960s that established the hypothalamic regulation of pituitary function led to the biochemical characterization of the various release and inhibiting hormones and their receptors over the next two decades and ultimately to the development of medical therapies for the various pituitary adenoma types. The paradigm of medical therapy is the extremely successful use of dopamine agonists (DA) for the treatment of prolactinomas, which built upon the basic knowledge that dopamine is the physiologic prolactin (PRL) inhibitor factor. The discovery of somatostatin and its receptors led to the development of somatostatin receptor ligands (SRLs) for the treatment of acromegaly and thyrotropin (TSH)-secreting adenomas, Knowledge of how growth hormone (GH) interacts with its receptor led to the development of pegvisomant, which blocks the binding of GH to its receptor. Early clinical observations of patients with acromegaly have led to the use of estrogens and selective estrogen receptor modulators to aid in its treatment. DAs and SRLs have only modest activity in Cushing's disease and most therapies involve enzymatic blockade of the various steps in cortisol synthesis, the two most recent being osilodrostat and levoketoconazole. Blockade of the cortisol receptor by mifepristone was found accidentally but then was established as a good treatment for Cushing's syndrome. The finding that clinically nonfunctioning adenomas had dopamine receptors led to the use of DA in these patients as well. Finally, an understanding of some of the abnormal molecular pathways underlying the rare aggressiveness of some adenomas and carcinomas has led to the use of temozolomide and now other chemotherapies and immunotherapies in such patients.
Depression, according to the World Health Organization, stands as one of the most impactful disabilities worldwide. Its toll reaches beyond mood and thought, extending into physical health risks like coronary artery disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and stroke, leading to a lifespan reduction of approximately 7 to 10 years in those affected. This paper explores the view of depression as a neuroendocrine disorder, especially focusing on the subtype of melancholic depression. Structural and functional disruptions in brain areas—such as the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus—reveal a misalignment in the stress response system that might drive depressive symptoms. Specifically, the roles of corticotropin-releasing hormone, norepinephrine hyperactivity, glucocorticoid levels, and inflammation-related mechanisms are investigated here. These insights point to promising new treatments targeting these neuroendocrine pathways that may enhance therapeutic responses.
Etienne Sibille, a pioneering figure in neuropsychiatric research, has yet to follow conventional paths. From his early days as a photojournalist editor in New York to becoming one of neuroscience's most innovative voices, his journey reflects the same creative thinking that drives his groundbreaking research at the University of Toronto. As a Professor of Psychiatry, Pharmacology & Toxicology, he brings a fresh perspective to understanding how our brains age and why we get depressed. At the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), where he directs the Neurobiology of Depression and Aging research program, his team is turning fascinating discoveries about brain chemistry into potential new treatments. Building on his influential work at Columbia University and the University of Pittsburgh, Sibille has challenged traditional views of brain disorders, particularly through his insights into the GABAergic system and aging. While serving as CAMH's Campbell Chair (2014–2024) and Deputy Director of the Campbell Institute (2017–2020), he has pushed the boundaries between basic research and real-world treatments, recently diving into biopharma development to help bridge this gap. In this Genomic Press Interview, he shares the winding road that led him from behind a camera lens to the forefront of psychiatric research, offering a candid look at what drives his passion for unraveling the brain's mysteries.
The global surge in air pollution poses an increasingly concerning environmental risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recent epidemiological studies have revealed compelling associations between exposure to specific air pollutants, including fine particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3), and increased ASD risk. While the rising global ASD prevalence, now affecting 1%–1.5% of the population, partially reflects expanded diagnostic criteria and enhanced screening, mounting evidence points to the critical role of gene–environment interactions in ASD etiology. Air pollutants can trigger multiple pathogenic mechanisms, including neuroinflammation, oxidative/nitrosative stress, epigenetic modifications, and glutamatergic/GABAergic neurotransmitter system disruption. The timing of exposure appears crucial, with heightened vulnerability during prenatal development and early childhood when critical neurodevelopmental processes, such as neuronal migration, synaptogenesis, and myelination occur. Research priorities should focus on how air pollutants affect brain development in genetically susceptible individuals, especially during pregnancy and early childhood. Better ways are needed to identify individuals at the highest risk and develop practical protective measures. Given the rising global pollution levels, this knowledge will help shape meaningful public health policies to protect future generations from environmental factors that may contribute to ASD.
Haitham Amal is an internationally recognized expert in cell signaling and brain disorders who heads the Laboratory of Neuromics, Cell Signaling, and Translational Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His research program integrates proteomics with systems biology, combining biochemical, pharmacological, and behavioral approaches. Currently a Visiting Professor at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Amal previously conducted his postdoctoral studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he served as a Senior Postdoctoral Associate in the Biological Engineering Department and was affiliated with the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. His innovative research has been supported by numerous competitive grants, including awards from the German DFG, Israel Science Foundation, and the US Department of Defense, with his contributions recognized through the Krill Prize from the Wolf Foundation and the Eagles Autism Foundation Research Grant as its first international recipient. His research established essential connections between nitric oxide and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), while also revealing significant pathological overlaps between ASD and Alzheimer's disease. Building on these discoveries, Dr. Amal has co-founded Point6 Bio Ltd, developing biological diagnostic tools for ASD, and NeuroNOS Ltd., focused on nitric oxide synthase inhibitors for treating neurological disorders. In this Genomic Press interview, Dr. Amal shares his insights on the path to these discoveries and his vision for advancing our understanding of neurological disorders.
Dr. Ana Cristina Andreazza is a Professor of Pharmacology Toxicology and Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, holding the Thomas C. Zachos Chair in Mitochondrial Research and a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Molecular Pharmacology of Mood Disorders. As the visionary Founder and Scientific Director of the Mitochondrial Innovation Initiative (Mito2i), she leads pioneering research on the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in neurological and psychiatric diseases, organ transplants, and novel therapeutic strategies. Her groundbreaking work has revolutionized our understanding of the relationship between mitochondrial function and mental health disorders, particularly bipolar disorder. Dr. Andreazza's career was inspired by early curiosity, family influence, and a commitment to reduce the stigma surrounding metabolic and psychiatric conditions. Her innovative work bridges multiple disciplines, aiming to discover biomarkers that could enable personalized treatments in mental health. A recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including membership in the Royal Society of Canada College of New Scholars, Dr. Andreazza has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers and is internationally recognized for her contributions to metabolic psychiatry. In this Genomic Press Interview, she shares insights into her remarkable journey from studying wine chemistry in Brazil to becoming a leading force in mitochondrial research while discussing her perspectives on collaborative science and innovation. Driven by a passion for teaching and collaborative science, Dr. Andreazza continues to foster innovation and mentorship in the mitochondrial research community.
Dr. Nora D. Volkow is Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health, where she has served since 2003 as the first woman and first Hispanic person in this role. NIDA is the world's largest funder of scientific research on the health aspects of drug use and addiction. Dr. Volkow's groundbreaking work has been instrumental in demonstrating that substance use disorder is a brain disorder, revolutionizing our understanding of addiction. As a research psychiatrist and pioneer in the field of neuroimaging, Dr. Volkow transformed the use of brain imaging to investigate how substance use affects brain functions. In particular, her studies have documented how changes in the dopamine system affect the functions of brain regions involved with reward and self-control in addiction, leading to fundamental shifts in how addiction is viewed and treated. She has also contributed to understanding the neurobiology of obesity, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and aging. In this Genomic Press Interview, Dr. Volkow shares insights into her remarkable journey from a medical student in Mexico to becoming one of the most influential figures in addiction research while discussing her perspectives on the current challenges in addressing substance use disorders, including the ongoing opioid crisis.
This overview, part of a special Festschrift issue celebrating Dr. Seymour Reichlin’s centennial year, honors the remarkable life and enduring scientific legacy of a researcher whose journey has fundamentally shaped our understanding of neuroendocrinology. From his early insights into stress responses during World War II to his groundbreaking work on hypothalamic control of pituitary function, Dr. Reichlin’s research has bridged the gap between brain function and hormonal regulation. His discovery of multiple glucocorticoid receptor isoforms in the placenta and pioneering work on somatostatin exemplify his innovative approach to understanding complex neuroendocrine systems. Beyond his scientific achievements, Dr. Reichlin’s influence as a mentor has touched generations of endocrinologists, with his trainees leading major medical institutions worldwide. Now at 100 years old, he continues to contribute actively to the field, writing books on the neuroendocrinology of Alzheimer’s disease and exploring the biological basis of ecstatic mysticism. This paper traces his journey from a young medical student fascinated by Hans Selye’s work to becoming a foundational figure in modern neuroendocrinology, highlighting how his personal experiences, including his military service and clinical observations, shaped his unique perspective on the interaction between emotional states and physiological responses.
From pianist to pioneering neuroscientist, Dr. Raül Andero Galí brings a unique perspective to his role as ICREA (Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats) Research Professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona). Following his PhD in Neuroscience, earning the Extraordinary Doctoral Prize, he worked alongside Dr. Kerry Ressler at Emory University's Howard Hughes Medical Institute, pioneering innovative approaches that bridge mouse and human studies in fear research. After a productive tenure as an Instructor in Psychiatry at McLean Hospital-Harvard Medical School, he established his laboratory at UAB in 2016, where he continues to break new ground in understanding how stress shapes fear memory formation. His laboratory uniquely combines sophisticated techniques, from in vivo calcium imaging in mice to human fear response studies, focusing on how sex differences and hormonal cycles influence fear processing. Through this work, his team is uncovering new possibilities for treating anxiety disorders and PTSD, offering hope for more targeted therapeutic approaches. Beyond the bench, Professor Andero has cultivated an intellectually stimulating laboratory environment that reflects his broader vision for advancing neuroscience through comparative studies. We are pleased that he completed the Genomic Press Interview, offering our readers valuable insights into both his scientific journey and personal philosophy that drives his innovative research forward.
Professor Vicki Clifton, PhD, GAICD, Dip Manag, Dip Counselling, FRSM, is a Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland Amplify Fellow specializing in obstetrics research through clinical trials and basic biology. With 327 publications, h-Index: 61, and over 14,000 citations, her research focuses on stress and maternal asthma during pregnancy, examining their effects on maternal health, placental function, fetal growth, and child health. She is notably recognized for her work on sex-specific placental function and stress responses influencing fetal growth and pregnancy outcomes. Professor Clifton has led her institution's asthma and pregnancy research program, establishing multi-disciplinary, end-user-engaged research programs in Australia and overseas. Her innovative research has advanced our understanding of factors affecting asthma during pregnancy, leading to new models of care and improved fetal outcomes. Her work has influenced national and international asthma management guidelines, identified sex-specific mechanisms affecting maternal-fetal health, and expanded the frontiers of existing knowledge on fetal-neonatal physiology. Through preclinical studies and clinical partnerships, she has rapidly translated findings into practice guidelines and consumer information. She currently leads the Queensland Family Cohort study, a state-wide longitudinal study linking parental and child health outcomes to biological mechanisms. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, she pioneered women's leadership as the first female President of the Endocrine Society of Australia and the first female Editor of Placenta (Elsevier). As an NHMRC Research Fellow (2000–2023), she has secured over $25 million in category 1 grants. We are privileged to have Professor Clifton share her personal and professional insights with our readers in this Genomic Press Interview.
Carlos A. Zarate, Jr., MD, spearheads transformative research in psychiatry and neuroscience. As a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Distinguished Investigator, he leads the Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch and the Section on the Neurobiology and Treatment of Mood Disorders at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). His additional role as Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at George Washington University underscores his commitment to research and education. Dr. Zarate's pioneering work focuses on decoding the pathophysiology of treatment-resistant mood disorders and suicide while developing novel therapeutics that are reshaping approaches to patient care. His research integrates cutting-edge techniques from neuropsychopharmacology, electrophysiology, neuropsychology, neuroimaging, and genomics to forge new pathways in treating mood disorders. Perhaps most notably, Dr. Zarate's team has been instrumental in demonstrating that ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, can produce rapid and long-lasting antidepressant and anti-suicidal effects. This discovery has catalyzed a paradigm shift in psychiatry, proving that antidepressant response within hours, not weeks, is achievable. Dr. Zarate's innovative approach extends beyond the lab. He employs a bi-directional translational strategy, seamlessly integrating clinical, behavioral, and imaging technologies with basic science collaborations. This holistic method has led to numerous breakthroughs in mood disorders research, addressing critical issues such as the speed and efficacy of current treatments. His exceptional contributions to the field have earned him numerous accolades, including election to the National Academy of Medicine in 2020. These honors recognize his research excellence, his innovative spirit, and his dedication to mentoring the next generation of scientists. We are privileged to feature Dr. Zarate in this Genomic Press interview. His insights promise to offer our readers a glimpse into the cutting edge of psychiatry and the tangible hope his work brings to millions suffering from mood disorders.
Dr. Celso Arango stands as a preeminent authority in psychiatry, wielding considerable influence through his multifaceted roles. As Director of the Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health at Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón and Professor of Psychiatry at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, he spearheads Spain's advancements in mental health research and treatment. Dr. Arango's expertise resonates globally, reflected in his visiting professorships at renowned institutions, including the University of California, San Francisco, the University of Maryland, and King's College London. His commitment to international collaboration, evidenced by partnerships with over 100 institutions worldwide, significantly propels the global psychiatric community forward. Dr. Arango's exceptional contributions have garnered prestigious accolades, notably his election as the youngest member of the Royal National Academy of Medicine in Spain and his recent induction into the National Academy of Medicine in the United States. At the core of his research efforts lies a dedicated focus on early-onset psychosis and neurodevelopmental disorders in young individuals, work that not only advances scientific understanding but also offers tangible hope for improved treatment outcomes. Dr. Arango's unique blend of clinical expertise, research acumen, and academic leadership positions him at the vanguard of innovation in mental health care, potentially revolutionizing our approach to understanding and treating psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. In this exclusive Genomic Press Interview, Dr. Arango shares insights on his life and career, offering our readers a glimpse into the mind of one of psychiatry's most influential figures.
Professor Illana Gozes, Ph.D., is a faculty member at Tel Aviv University. Formerly holding the Lily and Avraham Gildor Chair for the Investigation of Growth Factors, she now directs the Dr. Diana and Zelma Elton Laboratory for Molecular Neuroendocrinology. A world-renowned neurochemist, Professor Gozes currently serves as the President of the European Society for Neurochemistry and Vice President of Drug Development at ExoNavis Therapeutics Ltd. Her groundbreaking research began in the late 1970s and early 1980s when she discovered multiple tubulin forms within a single neuron. She demonstrated that these forms evolve with brain development, play a crucial role in synapse formation, and can be identified using monoclonal tubulin antibodies. At the forefront of molecular neuroscience in the 1980s, Professor Gozes became the first to clone the gene encoding vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), a key regulatory neuropeptide in the brain. Her research revealed increased VIP expression during synapse formation. In her quest to identify proteins activated by VIP and facilitate neuro-glial interaction, the Gozes laboratory discovered and cloned a novel protein: activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP). Subsequent research established ADNP's essential role in brain formation and function. Through a series of highly cited articles, Professor Gozes demonstrated that ADNP regulates thousands of essential genes during brain development in a sex-dependent manner and associates with an intricate array of vital proteins. She uncovered ADNP's key role in autophagy and schizophrenia, revealed a fundamental shared mechanism in autism involving critical binding of ADNP with SHANK3 and actin, and showed ADNP's regulation of microtubule dynamics and Tau interaction, which protects against tauopathy. Furthermore, she discovered somatic mutations in ADNP and related genes in Alzheimer's disease, paralleling tauopathy. Her pioneering work on ADNP-deficient mouse models predicted the ADNP syndrome, an autistic/intellectual disability syndrome driven by de novo mutations in ADNP and presenting with tauopathy. Professor Gozes took a reductionist approach to discover an active site in ADNP, leading to the development of the investigational drug davunetide (NAP). This compound has shown promise in protecting against ADNP deficiency/mutations in animal models and in clinical trials. It has been tested in women suffering from progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a pure tauopathy, and in individuals with prodromal Alzheimer's disease, demonstrating effects in a sex-dependent manner. Further promise was shown in schizophrenia patients, suggesting improvement in real-world problem solving and task performance. We are honored that Professor Gozes has agreed to share her life's journey with our readers in this Genomic Press Interview.
Liver X receptors (LXRs), particularly LXRβ, are emerging as crucial players in the translation of basic neuroscience to clinical psychiatry. These nuclear receptor transcription factors, initially known for their roles in cholesterol metabolism and inflammation, are now revealing promising connections between molecular mechanisms and psychiatric symptoms. This review highlights recent breakthroughs in understanding LXRβ's regulation and function in behaviors relevant to depression and anxiety, derived from studies using animal paradigms that capture specific features of these disorders. We explore how these preclinical findings are shaping our comprehension of mood-related behaviors at the molecular level and potentially paving the way for innovative therapeutic strategies. As a ligand-activated transcription factor, LXRβ represents a novel target for drug development, potentially bridging the gap between bench discoveries and bedside treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders. We discuss the challenges and opportunities in translating LXRβ research into clinical interventions, emphasizing the potential for personalized medicine approaches in psychiatry. This bench-to-bedside article underscores the importance of LXRβ research in advancing our understanding and treatment of complex mental health conditions, while acknowledging the nuanced interpretation required when extrapolating from animal studies to human disorders.
Annamaria Cattaneo is an Associate Professor at the University of Milan, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, and the Head of the Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry at the IRCCS Fatebenefratelli Institute in Brescia, where she is also Deputy Scientific Director. She is currently associate editor of Brain, Behavior, & Immunity—Health, an official journal of the Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society. She dedicates her research to understanding the complex interplay between early life adversities and the development of mental health disorders. Her work focuses on the biological mechanisms, such as neuroplasticity, inflammation, gut microbiome, and epigenetics, that connect early life experiences to mental health vulnerabilities later in life. Recently, Dr Cattaneo has expanded her research to explore the liver-brain axis and its role in the development of comorbidities between mental and physical disorders. Additionally, she is actively involved in identifying peripheral biomarkers associated with the risk of developing mood disorders and treatment response. A significant focus of her current work is on perinatal depression, aiming to uncover the biological, social, and environmental factors that shape the risk for depression during pregnancy and its impact on offspring outcomes. As the Coordinator of the HappyMums Project, a Horizon Europe initiative, she leads efforts to improve our understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying the development of depressive symptoms in pregnancy and the efficacy of interventions. Dr Cattaneo's passion for her work extends beyond the laboratory, as she actively engages in dissemination activities to raise awareness about mental health issues among the general population. Through events like the HappyRun in the Monza Park and Luci e Ombre / Lights and Shadows, she brings together science, art, and community to promote mental well-being. In this "Genomic Press Interview," Annamaria Cattaneo kindly shares insights into her life and impressive career, providing our readers with a glimpse into the driving force behind her ground-breaking research and tireless efforts to advance our understanding of mental health.
Dr. Alysson Muotri is a Professor at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), holding appointments in both the Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine. His leadership extends across several cutting-edge research initiatives at UCSD, where he serves as Director of the Sanford Stem Cell Education program, the Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Research (ISSCOR) center, the Archealization Center (ArchC), and the Gene Therapy Initiative, as well as Associate Director of the Center for Academic Research & Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA). Dr. Muotri's academic journey began in Brazil, where he earned a BSc in Biological Sciences from the State University of Campinas (Unicamp) in 1995 and a Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of São Paulo in 2001. He then moved to the Salk Institute in 2002 as a Pew Latin America Fellow for postdoctoral training in neuroscience and stem cell biology. At the forefront of neuroscience research, Dr. Muotri's work focuses on brain evolution and the modeling of neurological diseases, employing cutting-edge techniques such as human-induced pluripotent stem cells and brain organoids. We are honored to feature Dr. Muotri in the Genomic Press Interview series, offering our readers a unique opportunity to gain insights into both his personal journey and professional achievements. His contributions to the field of neuroscience and stem cell research continue to shape our understanding of brain development and disease, making his perspectives invaluable to the scientific community and beyond.
Hermona Soreq, PhD, holds the Endowed Slesinger Professorship of Molecular Neuroscience at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is an internationally recognized molecular neuroscientist known for her research into the cholinergic system and the small RNA regulators driving the parasympathetic system in men and women under daily and acute stress responses and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases (AD, PD). Her studies have long been focused on the roles of acetylcholine in the mammalian nervous system. In the 1980s, Professor Soreq and coworkers cloned the human cholinesterase genes, identified several disease-related mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that may impair their functions, and described the unusual features these mutations conferred on carriers under acute stress, exposure to anticholinesterase poisons and diverse disease conditions, including but not limited to myasthenia gravis, ischemic stroke, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, AD and PD as well as daily stress responses. Soreq further identified microRNA-132 as a principal controller of the cholinergic pathway and studied its impact as well as of other cholinergic-targeted microRNAs as regulators of parasympathetic brain and body functions and neuroinflammation. More recently, she has shifted her interest to the re-discovered transfer RNA fragments (tRFs), and showed that their rapidly declined control over cholinergic transcripts may lead to the fast cognitive deterioration of women living with AD; that they are prominently altered in PD patients’ biofluids and that their levels are sex-relatedly modified in the blood of newborn babies, dependent on pre-delivery stress. Her multi-leveled interests in the stress and sex-related cholinergic aspects of AD, PD, adult, and pre-delivery trauma further reflect the impact on acute stress responses as the kernel of the neuroscience research in the current Israeli landscape and has further enabled her a wide-angle view of diverse cholinergic-regulated states and diseases. We are delighted that Professor Soreq answered the Genomic Press Interview, generously sharing her life's trajectory with our readers.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), typically presenting in young adults (20–50 years old). Clinical manifestations are heterogeneous, depending on which part of the CNS demyelination occurs. Therefore, this study aims to assess whether different symptoms at first acute manifestation of MS are associated with worse functional outcomes. We enrolled all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of MS, regardless of the subtype, so long as it fulfilled the McDonald's 2017 criteria. A stepwise multiple linear regression model included statistically significant (p < 0.05) variables in the Mann–Whitney U test. A total of 195 patients with MS were included in the final analysis, of which 140 (78.5%) were female. Acute blurry vision, acute paralysis, acute hypoesthesia, autonomic syndrome, and Lhermitte's sign at disease outbreak were found to be associated with worse EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) in univariate tests. In adjusted analysis, the independent predictors of worse EDSS were acute blurry vision (Beta = 0.183; p = 0.010) and autonomic syndrome (Beta = 0.219; p = 0.003). These results may help better understand the relationship between MS symptomatology, functionality, and patient prognosis, potentially assisting physicians in determining MS patient's initial treatment.
On January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) had become a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) and was assessed as a pandemic in March 2020. For the next 2–3 years, Americans followed stay-at-home orders, and used virtual technologies, while struggling with pandemic-related stressors (1). This affected mental health (2). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms increased (3), resulting in an uptick in ADHD prescriptions (4). A shortage of Adderall was announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2022. As actual prescription usage data were not available on the short time frame of the pandemic, we explored the potential of using internet searches as a proxy for real health behavior, with prevention of future shortages in mind. We used Google Trends (GT) data (5) to estimate public interest in ADHD medications during the pandemic.
This study compares heart rate variability (HRV) indices across different time epochs (5 minutes, 1 minute, and 30 seconds) to evaluate the reliability of ultra-short recordings for assessing cardiac autonomic tone 1 year after a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Electrocardiogram recordings were obtained from 48 patients 1 year after a severe TBI. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the association between ultra-short HRV indices (1 minute and 30 seconds) and the standard 5-minute recordings. Additionally, ANOVA was used to compare the differences in mean HRV indices across the different epochs. The correlation analysis supports that time-domain indices present higher correlation coefficients (r = 0.63 to 0.99, p < 0.05) when compared with frequency-domain indices (r = 0.51 to 0.97, p < 0.05). The reduction in recording time increases the percentage variation of all indices. The root mean square of the successive differences of RR intervals (rMSSD) shows higher Pearson coefficient values and lower percentage variation at the 1-minute and 30-second epochs compared with other HRV indices. Ultra-short HRV indices are reliable for assessing cardiac autonomic tone in chronic patients who survived severe TBI. rMSSD was the most reliable HRV index for ultra-short recordings. The value of ultra-short HRV for cardiovascular prognosis after severe TBI remains to be determined in future studies.
Long-term complications, such as extensive fatigue and cognitive issues, are known from various infections, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus, or Borrelia burgdorferi. The pathology is mostly unknown and differs between patients. Unfortunately, there is currently no common and effective treatment. In this perspective, we imply that post-acute infectious syndromes are due to a variety of factors, including among others diminished tissue perfusion, tissue infiltration by viruses, inflammation, and oxidative stress, and that not one specific biomarker can be used to measure these syndromes. Thus, we suggest that a score based on a number of criteria/factors should be used to assess post-acute infectious syndromes. Consequently, probably not one single treatment can be used to treat this group of patients, and we suggest a multimodal treatment regimen comprising a combination of pharmacotherapy, such as metformin and naltrexone with anti-inflammatory effects, alongside physical therapies such as extracorporeal apheresis and transcutaneous neurotherapy. This combined approach aims to reduce biomarker levels and enhance cognitive functions. This implies that a reset of the systems can be achieved by a multimodal approach based on a score for post-acute infectious syndromes.
Euripedes Constantino Miguel is a full, tenured Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), and an Adjunct Associate Professor at Yale University School of Medicine. He graduated from FMUSP and completed his Psychiatry Residency and PhD at the Institute of Psychiatry at the University of São Paulo. After a postdoctoral fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Professor Miguel returned to Brazil in 1994 to pioneer the Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders Program. He leads the National Institute for Developmental Psychiatry www.inpd.org.br, focusing on early identification and intervention of mental health disorders. Since 2023, he has led the National Center for Science and Innovation in Mental Health (CISM) www.cism.org.br, enhancing mental health education and research through innovative solutions and public-private partnerships. This Genomic Press Interview features Professor Miguel's candid reflections on his professional achievements and life's journey.
Dr. Daniel Wolf grew up in Los Angeles, completed his BA at Harvard College, MD-PhD at Yale University, psychiatry residency at MGH-McLean, and neuropsychiatry fellowship at UPenn. He is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UPenn's Perelman School of Medicine. As head of the Laboratory for Motivation in Psychiatry, Dr. Wolf uses functional neuroimaging to study the neural mechanisms of amotivation and other symptom dimensions in psychosis and at-risk states, aiming to develop novel assessment biomarkers for early-stage drug development. Dr. Wolf also provides outpatient care to individuals with psychosis while supervising clinical trainees. As Director of the Clinical Neurosciences Training Program and Co-Director of the Psychosis T32, he provides seminars and mentoring to medical and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows; he earned the School of Medicine's teaching awards in both Basic Science and Translational Science. He is also an ACNP Fellow and member of the Neuropsychopharmacology editorial board. Dr. Wolf answered the Genomic Press Interview, providing our readers with reflections on his life and career.
Professor Paola Dazzan is a prominent researcher who currently holds the positions of Professor of Neurobiology of Psychosis and Vice Dean for International Affairs at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK. She practices as a Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Originally from Italy, Professor Dazzan began her academic journey by attending Medical School and becoming a practicing physician. Following her graduation, she continued with her training as a psychiatrist at the Maudsley Hospital and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. She completed her PhD at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience King's College London, and has worked there ever since. She is internationally known for her work using brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, stress and inflammatory markers, and reproductive hormones, to understand the onset and outcome of psychoses and of other severe psychiatric disorders. Her contributions have been widely recognized in the international psychiatric community and she is recognized as a leading researcher in the field. We are delighted that Professor Paola Dazzan has kindly agreed to participate in the Genomic Press Interview. We hope that our readers will discover many intriguing facts about her personality, work, and innovative research.
Dr. Nathaniel Harnett is Director of the Neurobiology of Affective and Traumatic Experiences Laboratory at McLean Hospital and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. His research investigates the neural substrates that mediate individual variability in susceptibility to trauma and stress-related disorders using a multidimensional approach that incorporates human brain imaging, psychophysiology, psychometrics, and behavior. Further, his laboratory examines how pre-, peri-, and posttraumatic environmental factors may modulate the efficacy of neural signatures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Ultimately, the goal of his research is to advance our understanding of how we identify useful, effective, and generalizable neural predictors of PTSD to facilitate precision medicine approaches that might mitigate the social and emotional burdens of trauma and stress-related disorders. We are delighted that Dr. Harnett engaged in the Genomic Press Interview, enriching our readership with perspectives on his life journey and professional trajectory.
Professor Stefan Bornstein currently serves as the Chair of Medicine at the University of Dresden, Germany and Transcampus Dean at King's College London, UK. His extensive experience in the United States and Europe has equipped him with unparalleled expertise, particularly in diabetes and endocrinology. Professor Bornstein has authored over 700 publications, garnering more than 100,000 citations with an impressive h-index above 120. His work is frequently featured in journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Nature, and Science. Professor Bornstein's contributions extend beyond academia into influential leadership roles, such as founding the first European Transcampus between King's College and the University of Dresden and initiating the German Australian Institute of Translational Medicine. His achievements have earned him numerous awards, including the Order of Merit of Germany (Bundesverdienstkreuz 1. Class), the highest state distinction in Germany, the Medal of Honour of the University of Dresden, and membership in both the European and German Academies of Sciences. In 2023 Professor Stefan Bornstein became a member of the Freedom of the City of London, in recogntion of both his individual contributions and the success of the TransCampus project. Honorary citizenship of London has existed since the 13th century and originally enabled recipients, who were also required to join a Livery company, to carry out their trade in London. Whilst this practical element no longer applies, the City of London has maintained the Freedom as a living tradition. These accolades reflect his exceptional contributions to medical science and education. We are privileged to share Professor Bornstein's answers to the Genomic Press Interview with our readers.
Dr. Charlotte Steenblock is a group leader at the Department of Internal Medicine at the Carl Gustav Carus University Clinic in Dresden, Germany. Her research focuses on stem and progenitor cells of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Using animal models of physical and metabolic stress, she investigates the role of different kinds of stress on the proliferation, differentiation, and migration of these stem and progenitor cells. Furthermore, she aims to differentiate pluripotent stem cells into steroid-producing adrenal cortex-like cells that can ultimately serve as cell replacement therapies for patients suffering from adrenal insufficiency or congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Lastly, Dr. Steenblock researches the connections between metabolic and endocrine diseases and infectious diseases, including post-acute infectious syndromes such as long-COVID. Dr. Steenblock is happy to answer the Genomic Press Interview, providing our readers with reflections on her life and career.
Long-term hippocampal atrophy is a key feature of major depression. In contrast, in rodents subjected to chronic stress there is reversibly decreased hippocampal volume. We show that exposure to seven days of restraint stress alone or with antidepressant treatment combined with a persistent high-fat diet environment lasting 165 days resulted in long-term, stress-induced hippocampal volume reduction in rats, better reflecting the hippocampal shrinkage that is well documented in patients with major depressive disorder.
Dr. Andrea Ballesio is a tenure-track researcher (RTT) in Clinical Psychology at the Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome. He works in the Clinical Psychology & Psychophysiology Lab of the Department of Psychology, where he investigates the causes and consequences of poor sleep and insomnia and the clinical efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions for sleep disorders. Dr. Ballesio's research aims to shed light on the psychophysiological and psychoneuroimmunological mechanisms linking insomnia and mood disturbances, particularly depression. To serve this aim, he mostly employs longitudinal and experimental models in humans. He is a member of the European Sleep Research Society (ESRS), the European Insomnia Network (EIN), the European Academy of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Insomnia, the European Psychoneuroimmunology Network, and the International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology (ISPNE). He received the 2023 ISPNE Early Career Scholar Award. Dr. Ballesio is also a licensed psychotherapist, working in the clinical centre of the Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome. We are delighted that Dr. Ballesio shares his insights from the Genomic Press Interview with our community.
Alessandra Borsini is a Lecturer in Psychoneuroimmunology at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London. Her research interest focuses on the role of inflammation and stress on brain neurogenic alterations, particularly in the context of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, and on the ability of psychotropic, anti-inflammatory, and nutrition-based treatments to prevent such alterations. She has been a member of the Medical Research Council (MRC) Immunopsychiatry Consortium, the AMBROSIAC ERA-NET/MRC Consortium, and the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) Immuno-Neuropsychiatry Network Core Group. She has received various awards, including the Psychoneuroimmunology Award from the Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society (PNIRs) and the Preclinical Psychopharmacology Award from the British Association for Psychopharmacology (BAP). As of April 2024, Dr Borsini has published over 50 papers, with a current H-index of 25, and has been the recipient of both national and international research grants from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Wellcome Trust, MRC, European Commission and Rosetrees Trust. She is part of the Editorial Board of several journals, including Brain, Behavior, and, Immunity, Frontiers in Neuroscience, and Frontiers in Psychiatry. She is also the programme leader for the new MSc in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mind-Body Interface launching this September 2024 at the IoPPN. Dr Borsini is passionate about public engagement. To discuss her research or topics broadly related to mental health, she has made multiple media appearances in newspapers, including The Sunday Times, The Guardian, and The Independent, and radio and TV programmes, such as BBC Radio 4 Today, BBC Radio 4 All in the Mind, and BBC One Health: Truth or Scare. Dr Borsini graciously answered the Genomic Press Interview, providing our readers with reflections on her personal and professional journey.
Tatia Lee, PhD, is Chair Professor of Psychological Science and Clinical Psychology at The University of Hong Kong, a clinical psychologist, and a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist. Her research focuses on the neuroplastic basis of neurocognitive and affective processes underpinning normal and pathological neurocognitive and psychological functions. She is an elected Fellow of esteemed international societies, including the World Academy of Sciences, Academy of Social Sciences (UK), American College of Professional Neuropsychology, Association for Psychological Science, and American Psychological Association. She is the Founding Chair of the Clinical Neuropsychological Society under the Chinese Cognitive Science Society of China. She has received numerous awards and recognition, including The University of Alberta Alumni Horizon Award, the Fulbright Hong Kong Scholar, the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award, and the Humanities and Social Sciences Panel Prestigious Fellowship Award. Acknowledging her substantial contributions and academic achievements in advancing neuropsychological sciences, The University of Hong Kong bestowed her the “May Endowed Professorship in Neuropsychology.” Professor Lee is happy to provide our readers with reflections on her life and career.
Carmine M. Pariante is Professor of Biological Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, and Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. He investigates the role of stress and inflammation in the pathogenesis of mental disorders and in the response to psychotropic drugs, both in clinical and experimental settings. His work focuses on depression and fatigue, with a particular interest in the perinatal period and individuals with medical disorders. More recently, he has developed an interest in the effects of the arts, social prescribing, and nutritional interventions on mental health. Since 2018, Professor Pariante has been a Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researcher, and, as of April 2024, he has published >520 publications, with close to 40,000 citations and an H-Index of 103 in Scopus and 137 in Google Scholar. He is also the appointed Editor in Chief of the journal Brain Behaviour and Immunity and the Past President of the International Society for Psychoneuroendocrinology. Professor Pariante is also passionate about public engagement and has made many media appearances in newspapers, magazines, radio, and TV on topics broadly related to mental health, writing pieces for the Daily Mail, The Guardian, and the New Humanist. He can be followed on X and Instagram on @Pariantelab and the digital publication he edits, www.inspirethemind.org. It is gratifying to see Professor Pariante share insights into his professional and personal voyage during the Genomic Press interview.
Károly Mirnics is Director and Hattie B. Munroe Professor of Psychiatry, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Pharmacology & Experimental Neuroscience, Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Dr. Mirnics earned his medical degree from the University of Novi Sad School of Medicine (in the former war-torn country of Yugoslavia that does not exist anymore) and his Ph.D. from Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary. He completed his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, where he established his laboratory in 2000. In 2006, his laboratory moved to the Department of Psychiatry at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. In 2010, Dr. Mirnics was named James G. Blakemore Professor of Psychiatry and served as the departmental vice chair for research and the associate Director of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Human Development. In 2016, he joined UNMC, becoming the Director of the Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation (MMI). With over 1,000 employees and trainees and roots tracing back to 1919, MMI is among the world's most extensive clinical, research, education, and outreach institutes for intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Dr. Mirnics's innovative research uses a variety of genetic, molecular, cell biology, and behavioral tools across multiple disease models; he has authored over 150 scientific publications, which have been cited more than 17,000 times. As a passionate advocate for diversity, access, and inclusion of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, he currently serves on the board of directors of Special Olympic International (SOI). He chairs the SOI Global Medical Advisory Committee that develops strategies to address the health challenges of more than six million athletes across over 200 countries. He led UNMC's effort to build a highly advanced, award-winning, 20,000 m2 multidisciplinary building that serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the lifespan. We are delighted that Dr. Mirnics shares his personal and professional paths with our readers.
Kim Q. Do was appointed senior lecturer at the University of Lausanne (CH) in 2000. Over the years, she became an associate professor of translational psychiatry in 2011 and attained the position of full professor in 2017. In 1999, she established the Unit for Research in Schizophrenia at the Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience within the Department of Psychiatry at Lausanne University Hospital. She served as the head of this unit from 1999 until 2022. Additionally, she was the Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience director from 2013 to 2019. She holds visiting professor positions at Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA, the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King's College London, UK, and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL). Professor Do graciously consented to participate in the Genomic Press interview, offering insights into her unique personal and professional journeys.
Dysfunction of neural cells, or their destruction, are the cause of most neurologic and psychiatric diseases. Which specific networks are involved determines whether there is a neurologic or psychiatric disease (or both, as in most cases). Advances in neuroscience have blurred the artificial boundaries between psychiatry and neurology and have contributed to the momentum toward a long-awaited convergence of these disciplines. Unified clinical training has been proposed (1), but current training in the US and much of Europe continues to follow the divergent approach established in the 19th century. AsA New Journal to Bridge a Disadvantageous Gap
Udo Dannlowski is a psychiatrist, psychologist, and translational neuroimaging researcher whose work intersects clinical psychiatry, genetics, data science, and systems neuroscience. His academic endeavors are driven by a commitment to unraveling the complex biological and genetic mechanisms underlying long-term disease trajectories of affective disorders, including depression and anxiety. Dannlowski's use of brain imaging technologies, such as multimodal MRI, to explore the structural and functional anomalies in patients with these disorders in longitudinal cohorts over several years of follow-up with machine learning techniques has significantly advanced our understanding of brain mechanisms in mental disorders. Dannlowski is recognized for contributing to psychiatry and neuroscience, substantially impacting theoretical understanding and clinical practice. Since 2019, he has been heading the Institute for Translational Psychiatry in Münster, Germany, together with the clinical Section for Transition Psychiatry at the Department for Mental Health. We are privileged to present the Genomic Press interview with Professor Dannlowski, who has offered to share insights from his esteemed career and personal experiences for our readers' benefit.
Major depression is one of the most significant disorders of our time. It is a heterogeneous, common, and complex disorder of gene–environment interactions, with multiple subtypes, including patients with melancholic or atypical features, that appear to stem from distinct clinical and physiological substrates. Stress is a disruptor of homeostasis and may pathologically extend into depression, particularly when adaptive responses become dysregulated. An integrated treatment approach, combining psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, should target both the behavioral patterns and physiological underpinnings of depressive disorders.
Michele T. Pato, MD, is Professor of Psychiatry and Inaugural Director of the Rutgers Center for Psychiatric Health and Genomics. Dr. Pato's research has been focused on increasing the representation of minority populations in large-scale genomic studies and through that process further contributing to the elucidation of the genomics of common and complex psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. Underrepresented minority groups, particularly those in US-based communities of Latino and African descent, have traditionally not been sufficiently included in genomic studies. Yet, these populations have the most significant disparities in health care and outcomes; they also have the potential to substantially broaden our knowledge of human genetics. Dr. Pato has a lifelong history of exposing and mentoring trainees towards pathways in research. She is the author of NERVE: A Physician Turned Patient and Her Courageous Recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury, published by Springer in 2023. We are delighted to present to our audience insights into Dr. Pato's life and professional journey.
Dr. Keqiang Ye is currently an endowed professor and Department of Biology Chairman at Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), China. Prior to this role, he held positions at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, serving as an Assistant Professor (2001–2007), a tenured Associate Professor (2007–2010), and a Full Professor (2010–2021). He has received numerous professional honors, notably the Distinguished Scientist Award from the Sontag Foundation (2003) and the American Cancer Research Scholar Award (2004). His research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, including molecular mechanisms in pathogenesis, early diagnosis, and drug development. With 265 published papers, including contributions to esteemed journals such as Cell, Nature, Nature Medicine, Neuron, and PNAS, among others, Dr. Ye has made significant strides in identifying novel compounds with therapeutic potential for treating neurological diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD). His work has led to the licensing of these drugs by pharmaceutical companies and their ongoing clinical development. Dr. Ye shares with our readers the highlights of his professional and personal journeys.
We are embarking on an exciting journey with the launch of the first issue of Brain Medicine: From Neurons to Behavior and Better Health. This is not just another journal; it is a leap into uncharted territory, bridging all of neuroscience with clinical know-how across distinct but brain-focused medical specialties in ways we have not seen before. We go beyond the traditional fiefdoms that have shackled the cross-disciplinary integration of neuroscience, translational science, and clinical practice. Think of it as drawing new star patterns in the academic sky, not just erasing old boundary lines. What is theIntroduction
Edythe London, Ph.D., is a distinguished professor-in-residence in the Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she holds the Thomas P. and Katherine K. Pike Chair in Addiction Studies. She chaired (2010–2014) and later co-chaired (2015–2022) UCLA's Integrative Center for Addictions (2010–2014). Before coming to UCLA, she was acting chief of the Neuroscience Branch and Chief of the Neuropharmacology Laboratory in the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, USA. There, she established and was the Director of NIDA's Brain Imaging Research Center (1992–1999). In her engagement with the Genomic Press Interview, Professor London offered insights into her life and distinguished career, enriching the series with her unique perspectives.
Dr. Ruth Barrientos is an associate professor (with tenure) in the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health in the College of Medicine at The Ohio State University. She currently serves as associate editor of Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, the flagship journal for the Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society. Her research aims to uncover the vulnerabilities associated with the aging brain that make it more susceptible to inflammatory challenges resulting in memory dysfunction, ranging from mild cognitive impairments to Alzheimer's Disease; and to discover interventions to improve these vulnerabilities and prevent memory degradation. We conducted an interview with Dr. Barrientos, asking questions about her life and scientific career and finished up with selected questions from the Proust Questionnaire.
