Mark George, M.D.

Distinguished Professor Department of Psychiatry, Radiology and Neurology,
Director Center for Advanced Imaging Research,
Director Brain Stimulation Laboratory

Contact Information
georgem@musc.edu
843-876-5142

Education
M.D., 1985, Medical University of South Carolina

Research Interests
In the last 5 years he and his groups have accomplished the following landmark scientific advances. They were the first to use transcranial magnetic stimulation as an antidepressant (first also to show TMS as a maintenance therapy). They showed that it is possible to combine brain stimulation (TMS) and brain imaging (fMRI). This a most promising new neuroscience tool being adopted around the world.

In 1998 they implanted the first treatment resistant depression patient with a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS). This pioneering work is leading to FDA approval of this device to treat depression. They then showed the feasibility of performing functional brain imaging with VNS. This will likely show how to use VNS to treat a host of brain diseases. In the world of brain imaging, Dr. George and CAIR members have been the first to show the cravings induced in alcoholism, and how the brain responds to infant cries. They have performed numerous other important brain imaging studies.

Publications