1. ¹Divison of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Science, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
2. ²Divison of Adult Translational Research and Treatment Development, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
3. ³Divison of Developmental Translational Research, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
4. ⁴Divison of AIDS and Health and Behavior Research, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA

Correspondence: Dr LS Brady, Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Science, National Institute of Mental Health, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 7204, MSC 9645, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Tel: +1 301 443-3563; E-mail: lbrady@mail.nih.gov

Received 17 March 2008; Revised 16 June 2008; Accepted 13 July 2008; Published online 17 September 2008.

Abstract

There is an urgent need to transform basic research discoveries into tools for treatment and prevention of mental illnesses. This article presents an overview of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) programs and resources to address the challenges and opportunities in psychiatric drug development starting at the point of discovery through the early phases of translational research. We summarize NIMH and selected National Institutes of Health (NIH) efforts to stimulate translation of basic and clinical neuroscience findings into novel targets, models, compounds, and strategies for the development of innovative therapeutics for psychiatric disorders. Examples of collaborations and partnerships among NIMH/NIH, academia, and industry are highlighted.