Depression, autism focus of free public program
The latest research on depression and autism will be discussed during a free public program at the Adventure Science Center at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 24.
Called “Healthy Minds Across America 2010: Discovering Hope Through Science,” the program will feature Vanderbilt University researchers.
It is presented in partnership with the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD), which funds research about schizophrenia and depression, as well as childhood psychiatric disorders, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders.
Stephan Heckers, M.D., chairman of the Department of Psychiatry, will moderate presentations including:
• “Clues To New Depression Treatments In Your Old Blue Genes,” by Randy Blakely, Ph.D., director of the Center for Molecular Neuroscience;
• “The Psychic Cell,” by Ariel Deutch, Ph.D., professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology; and
• “The Path to New Treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorders,” by Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, M.D., assistant professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Pharmacology.
A reception will follow the program at 8:30 p.m.
Space is limited; reservations are recommended. Call (877) 460-2003 or visit the NARSAD Web site at www.narsad.org/ and click on Healthy Minds Across America.