معرفی
Kevin Behar is a Senior Research Scientist in Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, where he serves as Director of the MRRC Neurometabolism Research Laboratory. He maintains multiple affiliations across Yale's research ecosystem including Bioimaging Sciences, Connecticut Mental Health Center, Deuterium Metabolic Imaging (DMI), Diabetes Research Center, Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Neuroscience Research Training Program, Psychology Section, Yale Depression Research Program, and Yale Ventures.
Dr. Behar received his PhD from Yale University in 1985 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship there in 1986. His research focuses on applying nuclear magnetic resonance techniques to investigate brain metabolism and neurotransmission.
Dr. Behar's research interests center on neuroimaging, particularly using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to investigate brain metabolism and neurotransmission. His work specifically examines the role of glucose and alternative fuel substrates in brain activity, with applications to understanding diabetes and mood disorders. He has made significant contributions to understanding glutamate/GABA/glutamine cycling in the brain, which is crucial for comprehending neurological and psychiatric conditions. His research has revealed important insights about brain energy metabolism, neurotransmitter cycling, and the metabolic underpinnings of various neurological conditions.
His publication record demonstrates consistent research activity through 2025, with recent work focusing on brain aging, obesity-related metabolic changes, and advanced metabolic imaging techniques like deuterium metabolic imaging (DMI). These publications show an evolving research program that continues to address fundamental questions about neurovascular coupling, brain pH homeostasis, and metabolic responses to brain activation.
Dr. Behar's research collaborations form an extensive network, most notably with Douglas Rothman (45 publications), Graeme Mason (20 publications), and D. S. Fahmeed Hyder (12 publications). These collaborations have produced influential work that has advanced methodological approaches in measuring in vivo metabolic rates in the brain.
As Director of the MRRC Neurometabolism Research Laboratory, Dr. Behar leads a team that applies advanced magnetic resonance techniques to investigate the metabolic basis of brain function and disease. His laboratory work integrates biochemical, physiological, and imaging approaches to provide comprehensive insights into brain metabolism, with implications for understanding and treating various neurological and psychiatric conditions.
