Dr. Daniel Javitt is a world-renowned neuroscientist whose pioneering work has transformed our understanding of the neurobiological basis of severe psychiatric disorders. He currently serves as Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Director of the Division of Experimental Therapeutics. Additionally, he directs the Schizophrenia Research program at the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, where he has maintained a dual appointment since 1995. Dr. Javitt earned his B.A. magna cum laude from Princeton University in 1979 and his M.D. from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1983, establishing the foundation for his distinguished career at the intersection of clinical psychiatry and neuroscience research.
Dr. Javitt's groundbreaking research has been instrumental in establishing the critical role of NMDA receptor dysfunction in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, a theory he first proposed over twenty-five years ago that has since become a cornerstone of modern psychiatric neuroscience. He was among the first to demonstrate how drugs like phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine induce schizophrenia-like symptoms by blocking NMDA receptors, providing compelling evidence for glutamatergic theories of psychosis. His innovative work has catalyzed the development of novel treatment approaches targeting the glutamate system, including clinical trials of glycine, D-serine, and glycine transport inhibitors for schizophrenia treatment. Dr. Javitt's paradigm-shifting contributions have fundamentally reshaped how researchers and clinicians understand the neurochemical basis of severe mental illness, with implications extending to cognitive deficits and negative symptoms that were previously poorly explained by dopamine-based models.
Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Javitt has served as a thought leader and mentor in the psychiatric research community, previously chairing the NIMH NPAS study section and serving on the advisory board of the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. His current work continues to push boundaries through investigations of NMDA receptor antagonists like ketamine and high-dose D-cycloserine for depression treatment, as well as innovative brain stimulation methods including transcranial direct current stimulation as adjuncts to cognitive remediation. As a Fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, Dr. Javitt maintains an active research program that bridges basic neuroscience with clinical applications, training the next generation of researchers in translational approaches to severe mental illness. His ongoing studies promise to further elucidate the complex relationship between glutamate signaling, neural circuitry, and psychotic disorders, potentially leading to more effective targeted interventions for patients with treatment-resistant symptoms.
