Applications are being accepted from M.D.'s who have recently completed their psychiatry residency; exceptional applicants beginning their fourth year of residency and who are planning to enter an academic or research career; and applicants who have completed their Ph.D.s in psychology, biostatistics, and other fields relating to clinical neurobiology. Fellows participate in ongoing clinical research projects at an NIMH-funded Mental Health Clinical Research Center (MH-CRC). Major areas of activity include neuroimaging (both structural and functional), cognitive neuroscience, diagnosis and phenomenology, neuroanatomy and neuropathology, neuropharmacology, and genetics.The primary focus is on subjects with schizophrenia but opportunities also exist to work with different patient populations, including affective disorders, and autism as well as normal controls. M.D. fellows spend approximately 50% of their first year staffing the MH-CRC inpatient unit which includes up to five patients at a time who are brought into the hospital for a three week "washout" of psychoactive medications. Since the MH-CRC was initially funded a decade ago, more than 400 subjects with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders have undergone such a drug-washout, and have been comprehensively evaluated both on and off psychoactive medications. This ongoing effort has already resulted in some of the largest existing phenomenological, neuropsychological and neuroimaging data bases of patients with schizophrenia.Fellows work under the supervision of experienced research faculty, and are encouraged to use the existing data bases for secondary analyses during their first year. Fellows are expected to initiate studies of their own during their second year, during which 100% of their time is available to do so. Fellows also participate in a series of ongoing research seminars and have the opportunity to enroll in graduate level courses relevant to their research interests.

Candidates must be United States Citizens or have permanent Visa status.

FACULTY AND RESEARCH PRECEPTORS

Nancy C. Andreasen, M.D., Ph.D., Daniel S. O'Leary, Ph.D., Vincent Magnotta, Ph.D., Stephen Arndt, Ph.D., Hans Johnson, Ph.D., Peg Nopoulos, M.D.

The University of Iowa has a particularly strong program in neuroimaging. Three major imaging modalities are available to the trainees. These include structural magnetic resonance (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). A trainee can choose to work primarily in any one of these imaging modalities, or may choose to work in several. Trainees who choose to work in the imaging area are encouraged to learn imaging in depth. Training in imaging emphasizes that imaging must be understood as a quantitative and quantifiable technique and that it involves far more than simply recruiting patients and obtaining scans. Trainees are encouraged to develop expertise in one of a variety of problem areas that are fundamental to research advancement in imaging. These include image analysis, the development of improved models for quantifying functional data, and development of new methods for analyzing imaging data.

DIAGNOSIS AND PHENOMENOLOGY

Beng-Choon Ho, M.D., Michael Flaum, M.D., Peg Nopoulos, M.D., Susan K. Schultz, M.D., Nancy C. Andreasen, M.D., Ph.D.

The unifying theme of the MH-CRC is the goal of linking the clinical phenomenology of psychotic disorders to the underlying neurobiology. In order to do so, it is necessary to attend as carefully to the clinical / phenomenological measures as to the neurobiological measures. This research unit involves a variety of projects in this area including: a prospective longitudinal follow-up study of first episode and recent onset psychosis; relationship between adult symptom patterns and premorbid academic and social functioning; phenomenology of late onset and elderly schizophrenics; development and refinement of rating scales and diagnostic instruments, and testing of their reliability, validity and feasibility.

COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE

Nancy C. Andreasen, M.D., Ph.D.,Robert G. Robinson, M.D., Jane Paulsen, Ph.D., Daniel S. O'Leary, Ph.D., Sergio Paradiso, M.D., David Moser, Ph.D.

Experience in cognitive neuroscience ranges from work on the neural substrates of mood through the application of neuropsychological assessment techniques to measure cognition in normals and various disease states to the application of PET techniques to explore the circuitry of cognition and emotion. The training program in cognitive neuroscience is especially rich, since trainees can gain experience in the use of assessment procedures, the development of experimental protocols using procedures such as fMRI or PET, the exploration of anatomical correlates of neuropsychological measurements using MR, or secondary analysis of existing data sets.

ANATOMY AND NEUROPATHOLOGY

Martin Cassell, Ph.D., Gary Van Hoesen, Ph.D., Igor Ilinsky, Ph.D., Susan K. Schultz, M.D., Victor Swayze, M.D.

Both Dr. Cassell and Dr. Van Hoesen are well known for their work in characterizing the anatomy of limbic structures. The Illinsky's have been very active in working out the neuroanatomy of thalamic connectivity in higher primates. Trainees who choose to emphasize the basic component will work primarily with primate or rat brains, while trainees who choose the clinical component will work primarily with human postmortem tissue. The imaging, neuropharmacology, and anatomy skills can potentially become interrelated if trainees choose a direction that stresses interdisciplinary work.

NEUROPHARMACOLOGY

Del Miller, M.D., Pharm.D., William H. Coryell, M.D.

Training in neuropharmacology typically involves clinical neuropharmacology, although some trainees may also choose to take coursework in basic pharmacology. Trainees who select this option will work primarily in the study of areas such as identifying predictors of treatment response, measurement of blood levels, and the conduct of clinical drug trials.

GENETICS

Raymond R. Crowe, M.D., Thomas Wassink, M.D., Donald W. Black, M.D.

The genetics skill area is potentially both basic and clinical. Ongoing projects involve multiplex family studies of autism and schizophrenia. Trainees who choose to work in molecular genetics will learn the techniques of using probes and generating southern blots and mapping genes. A more clinical approach to genetics is also available to the trainees. Trainees are taught the various skills involved in collecting family data, such as the use of lifetime interviews, recruiting families in the field, and developing methods for collecting large extended pedigrees.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, send us

Additionally, have three letters of recommendation sent directly to us.

Our address is

Dr. Nancy C. Andreasen
Attn: LuAnn Godlove
W278-GH The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
200 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242-1057
319-353-6601

Initial inquiries may be directed to:

B.C. Ho, M.D.
Clinical Director, MH-CRC
Telephone: 319-384-8447
e-mail: beng-ho@uiowa.edu

or

LuAnn Godlove
MHCRC
Telephone: 319-353-6601
e-mail: luann-godlove@uiowa.edu

Nondiscrimination Statement
The University of Iowa does not discriminate in its educational programs and activities on the basis of race, national origin, color, religion, sex, age, or disability. The university also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to university facilities without reference to affectional or associational preference. For additional information on nondiscrimination policies, contact the Coordinator of Title IX and Section 504 in the Office of Affirmative Action, telephone (319) 335-0705, 202 Jessup Hall, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1316

Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. The University of Iowa is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Sponsored by : NIMH Grant MH191