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George Anderson, PhD

Senior Research Scientist in the Child Study Center and in Laboratory Medicine; Director, Core Resource Laboratory of the Yale Interdisciplinary Research Consortium on Stress, Self-Control and Addiction; Director, Laboratory of Developmental Neurochemistry (Child Study Center)

Contact Information

George Anderson, PhD

Mailing Address

  • Child Study Center

    PO Box 207900, 230 South Frontage Road

    New Haven, CT 06520-7900

    United States

Research Summary

Research includes studies on the neurobiology of childhood neuropsychiatric disorders including autism, Tourette syndrome and ADHD, as well as adult depression, PTSD and addiction.

Specialized Terms: Stress response systems; Serotonin neurochemistry and psychopharmacology; Early biomarkers

Extensive Research Description

Research includes studies on the neurobiology of childhood neuropsychiatric disorders including autism, Tourette syndrome and ADHD, as well as adult depression, PTSD and addiction.

In a large Dutch collaborative study, we have demonstrated bimodal distribution of platelet serotonin in autism. Follow-up studies are attempting to identify disorder- and subgroup-specific alterations of potential etiological significance. Possible neurochemical (catecholamines) and neuroendocrine predictors and surrogates of treatment response in autism are being examined in multi-center studies coordinated by Dr. Lawrence Scahill of the Yale Child Study Center. In collaboration with Dr. Sylvie Tordjman of the University of Rennes, we are examining pineal function and sleep problems in autism, as well as investigating the relationship of ß-endorphin, pain reactivity and self-injurious behavior in autism.

Collaborative studies with three primate facilities have examined the ontogeny of neurotransmitter systems in rhesus monkeys and chimpanzee, neurochemical-behavioral correlates, and the effects of the short- and long-term SSRI in adolescent and adult rhesus. A series of collaborative human studies examine hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathoadrenomedullary functioning in ADHD, Tourette syndrome, PTSD, smoking behavior, substance abuse, depression and trauma.

Coauthors

Research Interests

Autistic Disorder; Canada; Child Psychiatry; Depression; Tourette Syndrome; Netherlands; Neurobiology; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; Neuropsychiatry

Selected Publications