NIMH Space Activation, Maintenance, and Improvement

National Institute Of Mental Health

Investigators

Abstract

NIMH intramural scientists conduct research ranging from studies into the mechanisms of normal brain function at the behavioral, systems, cellular, and molecular levels, to clinical investigations into the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness. Researchers study conditions in adults and children such as anxiety, depressive, bipolar, attention deficit hyperactivity, and autism spectrum disorders, as well as schizophrenia. Approaches include experimental therapeutics; functional and molecular imaging; genetics; behavioral, cognitive, molecular and cellular neuroscience; and epidemiology. In part, because of its state-of-the-art facilities, unique funding mechanisms, and location near the nation's capital, the intramural research program (IRP) is viewed as a national resource, providing unique opportunities in mental health research and research training. Susan G. Amara, Ph.D., serves as the Scientific Director and provides oversight to a diverse mental health research portfolio that includes clinical projects on autism spectrum disorder, women's health, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, mood and anxiety disorders; and basic projects geared toward answering fundamental questions related to mental health in the areas of cognition, genetics, learning and memory, and behavior. In FY2021, the IRP undertook renovations of several office and laboratory areas, creating and/or renovating lab, holding, procedure, and behavior rooms. For example, we continued the project to enhance social housing for non-human primates; renovated office space for the Machine Learning and Data Science and Sharing Teams; and upgraded a freezer farm serving multiple investigators. Finally, a PET scanner was installed, and a radiochemistry hot cell was created.