History:

Robert Stone Dow, the eminent Portland neurologist and neuroscientist and co-author with Guiseppe Moruzzi of the classic text, The Physiology and Pathology of the Cerebellum, first established the laboratories on the Good Samaritan campus in 1979 through a grant from the Murdoch Trust. An endowment from Legacy Good Samaritan Foundation established the Dow Chair in Neurobiology in 1999 in honor of Dr. Dow.

Research Focus:

Research at Dow Neurobiology is focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying neurological and psychiatric disorders. We use a multi-disciplinary approach, including molecular, cellular, genetic, and behavioral approaches. Our goal is to identify basic mechanisms underlying several brain disorders and to translate these findings into new therapies for epilepsy, pain, traumatic brain injury, addiction, eating disorders, and learning and memory problems related to ageing, Alzheimer’s disease, and environmental exposures.

Funding:

Research funding for the labs has been provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the US Department of Defense, the Epilepsy Foundation, and CURE (Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy). Additional funding is provided through Legacy Health Foundations and other philanthropic support.