NIMH intramural scientists conduct research ranging from studies into the mechanisms of normal brain function at the behavioral, systems, cellular, and molecular levels, to clinical investigations into the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness. Researchers study conditions in adults and children such as anxiety, depressive, bipolar, attention deficit hyperactivity, and autism spectrum disorders, as well as schizophrenia. Approaches include experimental therapeutics; functional and molecular imaging; genetics; behavioral, cognitive, molecular and cellular neuroscience; and epidemiology. In part, because of its state-of-the-art facilities, unique funding mechanisms, and location near the nation's capital, the intramural research program (IRP) is viewed as a national resource, providing unique opportunities in mental health research and research training. Susan G. Amara, Ph.D., serves as the Scientific Director and provides oversight to a diverse mental health research portfolio that includes clinical projects on autism spectrum disorder, women's health, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, mood and anxiety disorders; and basic projects geared toward answering fundamental questions related to mental health in the areas of cognition, genetics, learning and memory, and behavior. In FY2019, one new PI began a research group and a new Scientific Information Officer established an office. Renovations were undertaken to accommodate these new additions. Other renovations in FY2019 included renovations of office space for laboratory and administrative areas; creating procedure rooms, behavior rooms, and microscope rooms; creating a hot cell laboratory for development of radioligands; installing a gas exhaust system for the magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) core facility; a helium reclamation project for the magnetoencephalography (MEG) core facility; and several flood remediation projects.
