Keith E. Isenberg, M.D.

DEPARTMENT OF Psychiatry
Keywords: ion channels, receptor systems, schizophrenia, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, fetal alcohol syndrome

I am interested in the molecular pathology of severe mental disorders. My training in molecular biology involved cloning muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) genes, a type of ligand gated ion channel. I cloned a rat neuronal nAChR subunit and a rat 5HT-3 subunit. I collaborate with researchers within the Department of Psychiatry and in other departments on the molecular pharmacology of other ligand gated ion channel subunits such as the GABA-A receptor.

I am collaborating with other researchers in the department in the development of molecular assays to measure the effects of ethanol on cultured neuronal cells.

I am the Principal Investigator for an NIH funded study on how to optimize ECT for patients with depression. I am also conducting studies on the effectiveness of rapid transcranial magnetic stimulation for patients with depression.