Finding Adequate Reward in Life: Dopamine and the Brain

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1 Sponsors Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine A Special Thank You PATH Foundation NY would like to thank our CME sponsors, University of Florida College of Medicine and Weill Cornell Medical College, for helping coordinate a spectacular event. We would also like to extend our warmest thanks to all of our guest speakers without you, our research efforts would be futile. Finally, a great thanks to the Foundation s advisory board for continued diligence in our research strides and especially our donors, for seeing that our research comes to fruition and makes advances in the ever- changing field of medicine and clinical research. March 21, 2014 PATH Foundation NY and the University of Florida, Department of Psychiatry P resent: PATH Foundation NY th 304 Park Avenue South, 6 Floor New York, N Y Tel (646) Fax (212) Finding Adequate Reward in Life: Dopamine and the Brain

2 President s Letter PATH Foundation NY I would like to thank you for your support and attendance at the seminar. I am excited to present our speakers, collaborators, and luminaries today. At the foundation, we have worked hard to realize this event and hope that you will leave with enrichment. We do believe that integrative neurological and psychiatric research is a key focus for the future of medicine and clinical studies. We are fortunate enough to feature outstanding scientists, physicians, and individuals today. It is an honor to host this event and we are grateful for everyone s interest in our work. If you have any questions about the Foundation s research or about donating, please contact the Foundation at (646) or info@pathfoundationny.org. Your partnership and continued support have helped us enormously in our endeavors and are sincerely appreciated. With Gratitude, Eric R. Braverman, MD Founder and President About the Foundation The brain is the most important organ in the body. Understanding how the brain works leads to innovations that make you smarter, healthier, and more stable so you can sleep better, remember more and continue learning, avoid addictions, prevent obesity, and live a longer, happier life. Our Mission The PATH Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) not- for- profit organization dedicated to brain- based research and treatment methods that improve wellbeing and increase longevity. How to Help Our contributions to medical science are made possible by the generosity of individuals and organizations that share our vision of hope for the future. Because our administration costs are kept at an absolute minimum, more than ninety cents of every dollar the Foundation receives goes directly to research efforts. Your generous contribution really does make a difference for America s health. Support Make a contribution and join our mailing list to receive information on the Foundation s latest breakthroughs and charitable activities. Please call (646) or contact us on the web at

3 Speaker Biographies Speaker Biographies David A. Paterson Kenneth Blum, PhD 55th Governor of New York S tate Governor Paterson is an advocate for the prevention of childhood obesity and has campaigned for a new culture of health in New York State. Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida College of Medicine, McKnight Brain Institute Dr. Blum has authored and edited over 400 peer- reviewed papers. He has studied numerous addiction disorders and coined the Brain Reward Cascade and Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS). Nora D. Volkow, MD Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse Dr. Volkow pioneered the use of brain imaging to investigate the toxic effects and addictive properties of drugs. Her studies have documented changes in the dopamine system affecting frontal brain regions. She has published more than 530 peer- reviewed articles and has written more than 80 book chapters. Paul Greengard, PhD Nobel Laureate, Physiology or Medicine Vincent Astor Professor, Rockefeller University Dr. Greengard received his PhD in biophysics from Johns Hopkins University. He was previously director of biochemical research at the Geigy Research Laboratories. Since 1995, he has also directed the Fisher Center for Alzheimer s Disease Research. Mark S. Gold, MD Professor and Chair of P sychiatry, University of Florida College of Medicine th Dr. Gold has been recently selected as the 17 UF s Distinguished Alumni Professor. He is also a founder of the UF Center for Alcohol and Drug Research Education. He has developed models for understanding the effects of tobacco, drugs, and food on behavior. Eric R. Braverman, MD Assistant Professor of Integrative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College Assistant Professor, University of Florida College of Medicine, McKnight Brain Institute Founder and President, PATH Foundation NY Dr. Braverman has authored several books and more than 130 peer- reviewed papers. His life s work is dedicated to the study of the brain s chemistry and how it affects obesity, addiction, and memory loss, in addition to the wider role of integration of all medical specialties for the singular purpose of life extension. Sponsorship Make an extraordinary gift to medical science. Consider funding a research project dedicated to a specific medical condition or having a study conducted in someone s name.

4 Seminar Program Advisory Board 2:00-2:15 PM OPENING REMARKS David A. Paterson, 55 th Governor of New York State 2:15-3:00 PM Nora D. Volkow, PhD, NIDA Role of Dopamine in Addictive Behaviors: Drug Abuse, Alcoholism and Obesity 3:00-3:45 PM Paul Greengard, PhD, Rockefeller University The Molecular and Cellular Basis of Major Depressive Disorder 3:45-4:00 PM Break 4:00-4:45 PM Mark S. Gold, MD, UF College of Medicine Role of Dopaminergic Signaling in Food Addiction 4:45-5:30 PM Kenneth Blum, PhD, UF College of Medicine Neurogenetic Correlates of Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS): A Common Mechanism of Addictive Behavior 5:30-6:15 PM Eric R. Braverman, MD, Weill Cornell College of Medicine, UF McKnight Brain Institute, PATH Foundation NY Clinical Applications of Dopaminergic Loss From Pediatrics to Geriatrics 6:15-7:15 PM PANEL DISCUSSION Founder and President Eric R. Braverman, MD Foundation Board Melissa Dispensa Kenneth Blum, PhD Brigid Griffin Scientific Director Kenneth Blum, PhD Foundation Director Mona Li Senior Research Investigator Kristina Dushaj Contact Adjunct Researchers Bernard Loeffke, PhD Robert J. Baker, PhD Jeffrey Wickliffe, PhD Marlene Oscar- Berman, PhD Research Investigators Florian Kreuk Courtney Truesdell 7:30-8:15 PM Cocktails 8:15-9:45 PM The Druckenmiller Award Ceremony and Dinner Performance by Grammy- winner Miri Ben- Ari PATH Foundation NY 304 Park Avenue South, 6 th Floor New York, NY Tel (646) Fax (212)

5 PATH Mission Statement PATH Mission Statement PATH Foundation NY is dedicated to extending life and recognizes the importance of how the brain affects every other organ in the body and is essential for a happy and healthy life. PATH is especially interested in not only enhancing the function of the brain prolonging life by decreasing the aging process, but also providing answers to many perplexing questions confronting 21st century medicine. Today we focus on issues related to brain function linked to a more productive and motivated life with associated enhanced "pleasure" and "attenuated stress" in society. Globally, there has been increased violence and drug seeking behavior in both children and adults in spite of parental/societal guidance and anti- drug policies. We are cognizant that early drug seeking in our younger generation leads to unwanted abnormal brain development and epigenetic induced anomalies in our adult population worldwide. Recognizing the continued outstanding work of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) in areas such as Molecular Biology, Neurology, Psychiatry and Genetics, have provided real clues to all addictive behaviors or reward deficiency. While embracing the new definition of addiction espoused by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) as being a "brain disorder," the scientific research community must be further armed with even greater resources to unravel the existing mysteries of all addictive behaviors so that millions of lives are saved. Bringing together on March 21st a number of luminaries in the field of Molecular Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, including Nora D. Volkow, the director of NIDA and Paul Greengard, the 2000 Nobel Laureate in Medicine and Physiology among other eminent scientists is indeed an important acknowledgment and commitment to public health. This year s PATH awareness conference is devoted to the most important aspect of addiction concerning the neurobiological role of dopaminergic function in brain health. PATH Foundation NY is extending the quality of life through innovative research and ongoing interaction with scientists worldwide. Dedication Donate to the general fund in any amount. Your sponsorship is acknowledged in Foundation communications and publications. Your continued support is much appreciated.