Researchers examining the “Mood, Anxiety, and Impulsivity-related Disorders” theme are aiming to identify the genetic , psychological, neurobiological and environmental causes of most mood disorders and testing the most effective treatments.
Their main focus is on Depression, Bipolar disorder, Personality disorders, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Eating disorders, Substance dependence, e.g. drug or alcohol, Suicide
Genetic marker: Researchers are attempting to identify genetic risk factors for eating disorders, personality disorders, suicide, alcoholism and substance abuse.
Neurobiologial marker: Researchers try to identifiy the neurobiological mechanisms behind depression and anxiety.
Psychological marker: People react differently to stress and trauma. For this reason, researchers are currently conducting clinical studies to identify psychological markers, such as personality traits linked to anxiety disorders, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder.
Following are the Principal Investigators active in this research.
NAGUIB MECHAWAR, PHD
Tel: 514 761-6131 ext.: 3365
E-mail: naguib.mechawar [at] mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise: Cellular neuroanatomy, central cholinergic systems, adult brain neurogenesis, mood disorders and suicide
Suicide represents a major scourge in our society, accounting for 2% of annual deaths in Canada. Naguib Mechawar, who joined the Douglas Institute as a researcher in 2007, is mainly interested in identifying the neurochemical and neuroanatomical properties underlying major depression and suicidal behaviors in the human brain.
Naguib Mechawar has also been studying the brain’s cholinergic neurons for the past ten years. He has described the growth and fine structure of these neurons, as well as their implication in adult brain neurogenesis. A related project currently under way in his laboratory is aimed at defining the long-term effects, on brain and behavior, of nicotine exposure during development.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/naguib-mechawar
JORGE ARMONY, PH.D.
Tel: 514 761-6131 ext.: 3360
E-mail: jorge.armony [at] mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise: Emotions, IRMf, SSPT
Much of our current understanding of stress-related disorders – including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), phobias, panic attack, and generalized anxiety – comes from studying how the brain processes fear. Jorge Armony, PhD conducts research on how the brain detects stimuli in the environment that may signal threat or danger, and how this mechanism interacts with other processes, such as consciousness, attention, and memory.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/jorge-armony
SERGE BEAULIEU, MD, PHD, FRCPC
Tel: 514 761-6131 & ext.: 3301
E-mail: serge.beaulieu [at] mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise:Bipolar disorder, psychopharmacology, stress, depression, neuroendocrinology
A psychiatrist and researcher-clinician, Serge Beaulieu is interested primarily in bipolar disorders (manic depressive illness) and major depression. He studies neurobiological responses to antidepressant and mood stabilizer treatment and potential new treatments for these disorders.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/serge-beaulieu
ANTOINE BECHARA, PHD
Tel: 514 761-6131 ext.: 3933
E-mail: antoine.bechara2 [at] mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise: Decision-making, addiction, neurobiology, decision neuroscience, social behaviour
Antoine Bechara’s, PhD, research focus is on “decision neuroscience”, or how the brain makes decisions. This field integrates the study of brain physiology with behaviour and enriches the understanding of a variety of human decision-making events including the development of economic theories, and political or legal decisions.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/antoine-bechara
DIANE B. BOIVIN, M.D., PH.D.
Tel: 514 761-6131 ext.: 2397
E-mail: diane.boivin [at] douglas.mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise: Human circadian rhythms, sleep-wake cycle, phototherapy, night shift work and rotating shiftwork, jet lag, fatigue management
Diane B. Boivin, MD, PhD, conducts research as an expert in sleep and circadian rhythms disorders. Her research interests are on the role of circadian rhythms in psychiatry, the interaction between circadian rhythms and menstrual cycles, the expression of circadian clock genes in humans, and adaptation to shift work. During her career as a researcher, she has written over 400 publications.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/diane-boivin
THOMAS G. BROWN, PHD
Tel: 514 761-6131 ext.: 3415
E-mail: thomas.brown [at] mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise: Addiction, treatment evaluation, knowledge transfer
Since arriving at the Douglas Institute in 1998, Thomas G. Brown, PhD, has continued his already established research program on addictions and substance abuse. His team is focusing on the research and development of psychosocial interventions to combat substance abuse, as well as defining patient characteristics in order to optimally match individuals to the most suitable intervention.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/thomas-brown
KENNETH BRUCE, PHD
Tel: 514 761-6131 ext.: 2898, 2895
E-mail: kenneth.bruce [at] douglas.mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise: Eating disorders, alcoholism (abuse/addiction)
Kenneth Bruce’s primary interest is in examining the extent of overlap in the causes of bulimia nervosa and alcoholism in women. The research involves measuring emotional, physiological and behavioural responses during a lab procedure that temporarily reduces levels of serotonin - a brain transmitter thought to play a role in both eating disorders and alcoholism.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/kenneth-bruce
ALAIN BRUNET, PHD
Tel: 514 761-6131 ext.: 4348
E-mail: alain.brunet [at] douglas.mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, assessment, peritraumatic responses, early interventions, neurobiological correlates, neuroimaging, internet, psychophysiology
As a clinical psychologist, Alain Brunet, PhD, has been investigating the impact of trauma exposure on individuals for over 15 years, with a special focus on characterizing the risk factors and developing effective treatments for PTSD, such as early intervention and reconsolidation blockade.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/alain-brunet
NICOLAS CERMAKIAN, PHD
Tel: 514 761-6131 ext.: 4936
E-mail: nicolas.cermakian [at] mcgill.ca
More on his work at http://ncermakianlab.mcgill.ca/a/
Areas of expertise: Circadian rhythms, clock genes, sleep regulation
Nicolas Cermakian is studying the molecular mechanisms underlying circadian rhythms, especially in animal models. His work focuses on maximizing our understanding of “the gears in the biological clock”. These gears are, in fact, genes, which we call “clock genes”. Mutation of these clock genes in animals or in humans leads to disturbed rhythms, which can cause sleep disturbances and mood disorders, and may even favor cancer progression.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/nicolas-cermakian
MAURICE DONGIER, MD, FRCPC
Tel: 514 762-3303 ext.: 3419
E-mail: maurice.dongier [at] douglas.mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise: Electroencephalography, event-related potentials of the brain, alcohol and drug addiction
Maurice Dongier, MD, FRCPC served as chairman of McGill University's Department of Psychiatry (1974-1985). Since 1985, he has developed the Alcohol Research Program at the Douglas Institute, recruiting a multidisciplinary team of researchers. His fields of research include treatments of alcoholism, both pharmacological and psychosocial.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/maurice-dongie
CHRISTINA GIANOULAKIS, PHD
Tel: 514 761-6131 ext.: 5929
E-mail: christina.gianoulakis [at] douglas.mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise: Alcohol abuse; stress responses; neuropeptides; peptide microdialysis
Christina Gianoulakis, PhD, has made breakthrough contributions to understanding the role of the endogenous opioid system in mediating, at least in part, some of the reinforcing effects of alcohol. These findings, along with those by other investigators, have provided support for the use of Naltrexone, a non-specific opioid receptor antagonist, as a treatment approved in the United States and Canada to prevent alcohol relapse by detoxified alcoholics.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/christina-gianoulakis
ALAIN GRATTON, PHD
Tel: 514 761-6131 ext.: 3937
E-mail: alain.gratton [at] douglas.mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise: Drug addiction, neurodevelopmental factors, neurochemistry, psychopharmacology
The neurotransmitter, dopamine, has been implicated in both the exposure to stress and the self-administration of numerous drugs of abuse, including cocaine. Alain Gratton investigates the role of dopamine in drug abuse, as well as exposure to stress. To conduct their investigations, his team implements in vivo voltammetry – a state-of-the-art research technique that enables the second-to-second monitoring of minute changes in dopamine in response to various stimuli.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/alain-gratton
MIMI ISRAËL, MD, FRCPC
Tel: 514 761-6131 ext.: 2745
E-mail: mimi.israel [at] douglas.mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise: Eating disorders, affective disorders, crisis intervention, emergency psychiatry and mental health care service organization and delivery
Since joining the Douglas Institute in 1998, Mimi Israël has assumed a leadership position in improving conditions for mentally ill individuals who end up in the legal system, has initiated a committee to develop a therapeutic anti-substance abuse environment while promoting integrated treatment for those who suffer from concurrent mental health and substance use disorders of the clinical research forum.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/mimi-israel
GIAMAL N. LUHESHI, PHD
Tel: 514 761-6131 ext.: 4927
E-mail: giamal.luheshi [at] mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise: Neuro-immunology, cytokines, infection/inflammation
Numerous insults to the brain, such as head injury, stroke, and infections, as well as diseases including Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer Disease, are associated with increased levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1). Giamal N. Luheshi joined the Douglas Institute Research Centre in 2000 with the aim of investigating the mechanisms of action of brain IL-1 in response to systemic infection, inflammation or injury, as well as to examine the role of cytokines in the development and progression of mental illness.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/giamal-luheshi
ROBERTA PALMOUR, PHD
Tel: 514 761-6131 ext.: 3333
E-mail: roberta.palmour [at] mcgill.ca
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/roberta-palmour
JOHANNE RENAUD, MD, MSC, FRCPC
Tel: 514 761-6131 ext.: 3301
E-mail: johanne.renaud [at] douglas.mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise: Youth suicide and suicidal behaviours, depressive disorders, health services, childhood, adolescence
Youth suicide and suicidal behaviours are pervasive problems in our society. In her role as researcher, Johanne Renaud, MD, MSc, FRCPC, strives to improve preventative and treatment measures by implementing research protocols on innovative interventions for depressed youth and their families. This includes research into mental health services and interventions for youth at risk of suicide.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/johanne-renaud
JOSEPH ROCHFORD, PHD
Tel: 514 761-6131 ext.: 3433
E-mail: joseph.rochford [at] douglas.mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise: Stress, depression, animal models, behavioral pharmacology
It has been estimated that 75-90% of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related problems. Joseph Rochford, PhD examines how antidepressants change behavioral and biological mechanisms involved in coping with stress. He and his team are investigating various animal models of acute and chronic stress with a view to understanding innate and learned coping strategies, as well as the therapeutic effectiveness of antidepressants in alleviating stress.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/joseph-rochford
HOWARD STEIGER, PHD
Tel: 514 761-6131 ext.: 2895
E-mail: howard.steiger [at] douglas.mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise: Eating disorders, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, personality pathology, neurobiology, gene-environment interactions, developmental factors
Director of the Douglas Institute’s Eating Disorders Program since 1990, Howard Steiger has contributed significantly to the advancement of knowledge regarding causal mechanisms and clinical management of eating disorders. Among various things, Steiger’s research addresses the relationship between eating disturbances and comorbid psychopathology - with recent research focussing on developmental, neurobiological and genetic correlates of the eating disorders and commonly associated psychopathology.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/howard-steiger
FLORIAN STORCH, PHD
Tel: 514 761-6131 ext: 615252
E-mail: florian.storch [at] mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise: Molecular neurobiology, mouse genetics, tissue-specific gene manipulation, circadian clocks and behavior, circadian rhythms
Florian Storch, PhD, joined the Douglas in 2008 after completing his postdoctoral studies at Harvard Medical School, where he explored the biological role of circadian clocks, internal timers that generate rhythms with a period of 24 hours. His research contributed to the current understanding that the circadian timing system in mammals is made up of a multitude of intrinsic clocks that are distributed throughout the body, including the brain. Florian Storch showed that these clocks typically control more than 10% of the genes expressed in a given tissue, suggesting that many biological processes must be clock-regulated.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/florian-storch
MONIQUE E SÉGUIN, PHD
Tel: 514 761-6131 Ext.: 3463
E-mail: monique.seguin [at] uqo.ca
Areas of expertise: Suicide, bereavement, risk and protective factors for suicide, intervention and clinical best practices
Monique Séguin, Ph.D., is an expert in suicide prevention and bereavement. She is particularly interested in the bereavement process and intervention strategies following suicide. In her work, she attempts to answer the following questions: How does bereavement after suicide differ from grief due to other kinds of losses? Are the reactions more intense, the healing time longer? What can be done to help suicide survivors? Is it really necessary to intervene?
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/monique-seguin
GUSTAVO TURECKI, MD, PHD
Tel: 514 761-6131 ext.: 3366, 3301
E-mail: gustavo.turecki [at] mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise: Suicide, depressive disorders, treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, neurobiology
Attempted and completed suicides are major problems in our society, making the understanding, prevention, and treatment of suicidal behaviors a top priority. Individuals who suffer from major depression are especially at risk. Gustavo Turecki, MD, PhD, is conducting studies to better understand the characteristics of these individuals, focusing on issues such as personality traits and other possible psychiatric disorders.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/gustavo-turecki
CLAIRE-DOMINIQUE WALKER, PHD
Tel: 514 761-6131 ext.: 4934
E-mail: dominique.walker [at] douglas.mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise: Stress responses, development, lactation, obesity and metabolism, neurogenesis, maternal behavior, neuroendocrinology
The profound implications of neonatal stress on brain development are beginning to be appreciated, due in part to the research efforts of Claire-Dominique Walker, PhD. Her team is examining the relationship between brain development, the condition of the HPA axis, and neonatal stressors such as repeated pain or changes in levels of leptin - a protein that plays a critical role in the regulation of body weight and obesity, and that is affected by maternal diet.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/dominique-walker
TAK PAN WONG, PHD
Tel: 514 761-6131 Ext.: 2929
E-mail: takpan.wong [at] douglas.mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise: Learning and memory, stress, synaptic plasticity, receptor trafficking
More than 70% of Canadian adults experience moderate levels of stress daily. The effect of stress on the Canadian health system is enormous and escalating. Increasing evidence has pointed out that the communication between brain cells - synaptic transmission - is highly susceptible to stress insult. Tak Pan Wong, PhD, is interested in understanding the impact of stress on the brain. He also evaluates how this relates to individual behaviour, learning ability and memory formation.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/tak-pan-wong
N.M.K. NG YING KIN, PHD
Tel: 514 761-6131 ext.: 3428
E-mail: ngyngm [at] douglas.mcgill.ca
Areas of expertise: Analytical biochemistry, neurochemistry, psychopharmacology.
Neurochemical analyses are critical to identifying peripheral biological markers for various psychiatric disorders, as well as profiling psychiatric medications in terms of their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. A member of the Douglas Hospital Research Centre since 1987, N.M.K. Ng Ying Kin, PhD, is also the director of the Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit.
More info: http://www.douglas.qc.ca/researcher/ng-ying-kin