Or should we say … changing brains.

Dr. Insel and his team at NIMH are on the cutting edge of new research discovering that most major mental disorders involve specific circuits in the brain. Which means some of these disorders—from autism to schizophrenia—may eventually be identified and addressed much earlier, preventing further damage.

Dr. Insel has never been satisfied with treatments that help patients get “better but not well.” His tenure at NIMH has been marked by groundbreaking findings in the areas of practical clinical trials, autism research, and the role of genetics in mental illnesses.

Prior to his appointment as NIMH Director in the fall of 2002, Dr. Insel was professor of psychiatry at Emory University. There, he was founding director of the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, one of the largest science and technology centers funded by the National Science Foundation.

Dr. Insel has published more than 250 scientific articles and four books and served on numerous academic, scientific, and professional committees and boards. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine, a fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, and a recipient of the Outstanding Service Award from the U.S. Public Health Service.