Project Summary

Christopher Chabris, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2002) of Harvard University, is studying several genes that are part of the dopamine system which have been implicated as potential risk factors for serious mental disorders such as schizophrenia, ADHD, and addiction.  Dr. Chabris will examine physiological brain activity in healthy controls while they perform cognitive tasks using fMRI.  The project will examine the effects that different forms of these genes (polymorphisms) have on patterns of cognitive performance and brain activity associated with disease susceptibility.  Comparisons will be made between groups defined by different polymorphisms.  The study may provide potential clues which may lead to improved diagnoses and treatment, and will establish fMRI techniques as tools for discovering and characterizing other genes potentially associated with mental disorders.

Program Area: MULTIPLE FOCUS AREAS\Schizophrenia/ADHD/Addiction

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