F. Gerard Moeller, M.D.
1985, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Medical School
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
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F. Gerard Moeller, M.D. 1985, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Medical School |
Research Interests:
Psychiatric diagnosis is notoriously inconsistent. This is in part due to the fact that our current diagnostic system is based on the opinion of a panel of experts in the field, not on research on the neurobiology of behavior. It is likely that a diagnostic system that is based on the biology of behavior would be more reliable and useful in treatment planning.
I work with an outstanding group of investigators who share a common goal of using multiple biological and behavioral techniques to define basic behaviors that are related to underlying brain pathology. The focus of our research is impulsivity, a behavior that cuts across our current system of psychiatric diagnoses. Our goal is to develop a greater understanding of the basic biology of behavior and thereby to improve our system of psychiatric diagnoses, which will aid in the development of behavioral and pharmacologic treatments. The focus of my particular area of research is the role of the neurotransmitter serotonin in impulsivity especially as related to development and maintenance of substance abuse.
Methodology we are currently using to study the role of serotonin in behavior include the serotonin neuroendocrine challenge, auditory evoked potentials, and examination of serotonin gene polymorphisms. A tutorial in my laboratory would involve laboratory and clinical methodology related to the role of serotonin in impulsivity and substance abuse.
Program Affiliation:
Program in Neuroscience