Ed. Domino holding the R and S enantiomers of ketamine, the anesthetic agent that is now being used for the rapid treatment of depression. Dr. Domino performed the first human studies on ketamine. He coined the term ”dissociative anesthetic” to describe the action of the drug in producing feelings of detachment from ones self and the environment as well as distorting perception of sight and sound. Ketamine is abused for these experiences.
Members of the EFDRC use cutting edge basic science and translational approaches, embracing medicinal and analytical chemistry, cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, pharmacology and animal behavioral studies, to discover and implement evidence-based medications for pain and addictive disorders. This includes addiction to opioids, stimulants and food as well as co-morbid psychiatric disorders.
The EFDRC trains enthusiastic graduate students and postdoctoral scientists to tackle problems of pain and addiction using the most modern technological approaches in an interdisciplinary environment. These are the next generation who will continue to solve these problems so that we can understand the biology, identify novel targets for interventions, and save lives.
EFDRC members have considerable collaborations across campus and outside the University of Michigan and will continue to grow and develop these interdisciplinary connections.
The EFDRC provides a source of knowledge on the biology of pain and addiction and acts as a resource for the University of Michigan community as well as an outreach and education resource for local schools and other institutions.