The major goal of the program is to translate and integrate findings from basic neuroscience into clinical investigations in order to develop and test specific hypotheses about the neurobiological substrates and etiologies of complex mental disorders. Usually, these studies will involve the comparison of brain characteristics in diagnosed or at-risk populations with those observed in control subjects. Areas of interest include neurobehavioral, neuropsychiatric, and psychosocial issues, the development of effective interventions to maintain optimal mental and physical health, the development of effective services and psychosocial support systems to remediate problems in children and their families, and the determination of useful behavior change and prevention strategies. The mission of the Research Training and Career Development Program is to foster the training of new investigators and to enhance the career development of clinicians and basic scientists. The purpose is to help ensure that highly trained research investigators will be available to address clinical and integrative research issues associated with mental health and illness.
Support is available for research training as well as research.
Population-based research on the incidence and prevalence of mental health symptoms and disorders and psychosocial, biologic, and genetic risk factors for their development in children and adolescents. Also included are studies aimed at improving diagnostic nosology for children and adolescents. Of particular interest are studies that seek to identify the role of malleable potent risk factors to inform the development of prevention and intervention strategies. Research on hyperactivity and attentional, oppositional, antisocial, and violent behaviors and disorders. East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20852.