Patel, Sachin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Sachin Patel, M.D., Ph.D.
Department of Psychiatry and Molecular Physiology and Biophysics
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Robinson Research Building
Room 724B
615-936-7768 (office)
sachin.patel@vanderbilt.edu

The goal of our research is to investigate the role of endocannabinoid signaling (eCB) in the pathophysiology of severe psychiatric disorders including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our programs focus is on understanding the developmental, molecular, and synaptic adaptations in eCB that occur in animal models of psychiatric disease. By understanding eCB adaptations that occur during the development of mental illness, we hope to uncover novel molecular targets for drug development. We are also interested in evaluating the effects of novel pharmacological compounds that modulate eCB signaling in models of depression and PTSD. WE utilized a variety of convergent techniques including molecular biology, electrophysiology, and animal behavior to study the role of eCB signaling in psychiatric illness.