Trainees who choose to emphasize the basic component will work primarily with primate or rat brains, while trainees who choose the clinical component will work primarily with human postmortem tissue. The imaging, neuropharmacology, and anatomy skills can potentially become interrelated if trainees choose a direction that stresses interdisciplinary work. M.D. Training in neuropharmacology typically involves clinical neuropharmacology, although some trainees may also choose to take coursework in basic pharmacology. Trainees who select this option will work primarily in the study of areas such as identifying predictors of treatment response, measurement of blood levels, and the conduct of clinical drug trials. The genetics skill area is potentially both basic and clinical.
Ongoing projects involve multiplex family studies of autism and schizophrenia.
Trainees who choose to work in molecular genetics will learn the techniques of using probes and generating southern blots and mapping genes. A more clinical approach to genetics is also available to the trainees. Trainees are taught the various skills involved in collecting family data, such as the use of lifetime interviews, recruiting families in the field, and developing methods for collecting large extended pedigrees. The University of Iowa does not discriminate in its educational programs and activities on the basis of race, national origin, color, religion, sex, age, or disability. The university also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to university facilities without reference to affectional or associational preference.