Research

Our vision for the Mood Disorders Center begins with identifying causes of illness through scientific research in the realms of genetics and epigenetics (the controls over the expression of genes), and environmental factors like stress. We are devoting extensive laboratory and computer-based analytic efforts towards this goal. Knowledge gained of causes will then be applied towards development of new treatments through work in neurobiology and pharmacology. Potential new medications, as well as new brain stimulation treatments, are currently being studied for their effectiveness in patients in a clinical trials center. We then study genetic and imaging markers to these treatments with the ultimate goal of tailoring care to patients through personalized medicine.

Learn more about our research program and the studies we are conducting by following the links below. Some studies are currently recruiting participants. If you are interested in participating in a study, please refer to the link for contact information.

Bioinformatics

• Bioinformoodics

Clinical Trials

• TMS with Mood Stabilizers in Bipolar Depression (Volunteer recruitment OPEN)
• Valacyclovir Clinical Trial

Genetics Research

• Cellular Models for Mood Disorders ( Volunteer recruitment OPEN)
• Family genetics studies of mood disorders  (Currently collecting contact information from participants for future studies)
• Lithium Study: Pharmacogenomics of Mood Stabilizer Response in Bipolar Disorder  (Volunteer recruitment OPEN)

National Patient Registry

• National Network of Depression Centers Patient Registry  (Enrollment OPEN)

Neuorimaging

• Imaging Study of Lithium Response in Bipolar Disorder  (Volunteer recruitment OPEN)

Prospective Study

• Postpartum Mood Episodes in Women with Mood Disorders (Volunteer recruitment complete)