George Aghajanian
From neuronal signals to psychiatric research
George Aghajanian was an American physician and neuroscience researcher of Armenian descent, born in Beirut in 1932. His long scientific career was associated with Yale University and the biological foundations of psychiatry.
With colleagues, he investigated brain neurons that use serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. Recording their electrical activity helped explain how drugs influence cells and neural networks.
His laboratory combined cell biology, biochemistry and pharmacology, contributing to research on depression and other psychiatric disorders. He also mentored many scientists. Aghajanian died in 2023, leaving an important contribution to the development of modern neuropharmacology.