Anissa Abi-Dargham, M.D.
Professor of Clinical Psychiatry (in Radiology)
Director of the Division of Translational Imaging, NYSPI
Director of Clinical and Imaging Research, Lieber Center for Schizophrenia Research, NYSPI
Dr. Abi-Dargham's research focus is on using molecular imaging techniques (SPECT and PET) to study the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, schizophrenia related spectrum disorders and addiction. Her work has resulted in seminal publications describing the complex alterations of dopamine transmission in schizophrenia and their relationship to clinical symptoms, cognition and response to treatment, as well as their interrelatedness to glutamate dysfunction in schizophrenia.
These studies showed increased striatal dopamine release in schizophrenia, which has become one of the most established findings of schizophrenia research and is now being tested as a biomarker for risk to develop schizophrenia in prodromal patients.
The work with cortical D1 receptor has provided added rationale for testing D1 agonists in schizophrenia. A new direction for work in her imaging group now is dual diagnosis patients with comorbid schizophrenia and cannabis.
Ultimately this work is relevant to developing biomarkers and more focused treatment interventions for these disorders. She received numerous awards, and published over 80 articles in major scientific journals.
Dr. Abi-Dargham is currently Vice President for the Brain Imaging Council for the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Associate Editor for Neuropsychopharmacology for Brain Imaging and she has a large portfolio of federal, charitable and industry funded studies.
Medical School: St. Joseph University, M.D., 1984
Internship: La Croix Psychiatric Hospital, Psychiatry, 1984 - 1985
Residency: University of Tennessee, Psychiatry, 1985 - 1989
Fellowship: Yale University School of Medicine, Fellow, 1991 - 1992
Board Certifications: American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology
• Brain Imaging
• Psychopharmacology
Address:
NYS Psychiatric Institute Room Kolb 425 Unit/Box:31 1051 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10032
The study of molecular alterations in major mental illnesses by using in vivo imaging techniques such as Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
