Andrew Dean

Andrew Dean, Ph.D., is a Health Sciences Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He is also a member of the Brain Research Institute and the Center for Addictive Behaviors within the Neuroscience GPB Home Area. His research is centered on the neuropsychopharmacology of addiction, particularly focusing on methamphetamine dependence and its cognitive and neural consequences.

Research Interests:

• Addiction neuroscience and neurobiology of methamphetamine dependence
• Neuropsychological assessment in substance use disorders
• Functional brain connectivity and neuroimaging
• Cognitive neuroscience of decision-making and executive function
• Impact of childhood trauma on brain development and addiction
• Dopaminergic system and reward processing

Dr. Dean's work integrates neuroimaging techniques such as PET and fMRI with neuropsychological testing to understand how chronic methamphetamine use alters brain structure and function. His studies have shown associations between dopamine receptor availability, cognitive performance, and impulsive decision-making in both healthy individuals and those with substance use disorders.

Scientific Awards:
No specific scientific awards or honors are mentioned in the provided text.

Advising & Grants:
Information regarding current or former students, PhD/Master’s advisees, active research grants, or funding sources is not provided in the text.

Labs & Teams:
Dr. Dean is affiliated with the Center for Addictive Behaviors and the Brain Research Institute at UCLA, suggesting active participation in collaborative neuroscience research teams focused on addiction and brain health.