Program Manager: COL Christian Macedonia, M.D.
The negative impact that stress has on the cognitive,
emotional, and physical well-being of warfighters
is irrefutable. Recent technological developments
in neuroscience present the opportunity for these
challenges to be addressed as never before. Novel
molecular biological techniques, coupled with
in-vivo measurement technologies, can allow for
management of the stress pathways and behavioral
analysis in real time. These powerful tools allow
assessment of the effects of stress with extreme
temporal and anatomical precision, leading to
a better understanding of the stress continuum
and opportunities for intervention.
The Enabling Stress Resistance program will
create a comprehensive, quantitative description
of the impact of stress on the brain by leveraging
revolutionary technologies and recent advances
in molecular neurobiology, neuroimaging, and
molecular pathway modeling. The objective
of the effort is a proactive approach to stress
mitigation, starting with development of a comprehensive
animal model of the complex effects of multiple
stressors on the brain. Ultimately, this
program strives to develop and implement cognitive,
behavioral, and/or pharmacological interventions
that will prevent the deleterious effects of
stress on the warfighter.
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