Dr. Douglas F. Levinson M.D. This is Me

Education

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1. 1. investor.illumina.com

   investor.illumina.com/phoenix. - [Cached]

   Published on: 9/6/2007   Last Visited: 7/11/2008

   Douglas F. Levinson, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine is a long-time user of Illumina's GoldenGate Human Linkage IV Panel and says, "We began using the GoldenGate Assay when we started a linkage scan of over 4,000 members of families with schizophrenia.

2. 2. Genetics of Depression Scrutinized by Stanford Psychiatrist; Four-Year Study Seeks Volunteers with History of the Mental Disorder : Epilepsy.com

   epilepsyflat.zoomedia.com/news - [Cached]

   Published on: 9/21/2006   Last Visited: 10/25/2006

   Douglas Levinson, MD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine, is leading a multicenter study to identify them and is seeking volunteers with the illness.
   
   "Our goal is to identify DNA sequences in specific genes that play a role in predisposing some individuals to developing depression," said Levinson, who recently arrived from the University of Pennsylvania, where he had also conducted research on the genetic basis of depression.
   ...
   But, according to Levinson, researchers' knowledge does not extend much beyond that.
   
   "We don't know the cause -- not like we know the causes of TB or heart attack," he said."We have some ideas, but nothing at the level of proof.We're not able to say, 'If this one gene is altered in the following way, that will decrease someone's risk of developing the disease.'"
   
   In recent years, researchers have turned to members of families with multiple cases of depression to gain insight on the genetics behind this disease.For genetic "linkage" studies, researchers test DNA markers throughout the genome and identify the parts of chromosomes where depression-related genes may exist.In one such study published several years ago, Levinson found that a specific part of chromosome 15 is likely to contain one or more genes involved in depression.
   
   "We are continuing to try to pinpoint the relevant genes and the specific role they play in depression," Levinson said."And that requires our answering several questions: Which genes are they?How do they work together?And how will that information help us in the future?"
   
   Levinson's study focuses on adults with recurrent cases of depression that start in childhood or early adult life.The researchers chose this focus, Levinson said, because past studies have shown that early-onset, recurrent depression seems to be more genetic than later-onset, single-episode depression.
   
   During the four-year study, researchers at six universities will gather information on personal and family mental health history from 2,000 people with major depressive disorder.They will also use blood samples to conduct DNA studies.
   
   Levinson is recruiting 300 participants for the Stanford portion of the study.

3. 3. NAAR: Scientific Advisory Board

   www.naar.org/research/spons_sa - [Cached]

   Published on: 12/26/2006   Last Visited: 12/26/2006

   Doug Levinson, M.D.
   
   University of Pennsylvania
   
   Professor of Psychiatry