The Stanley and Elizabeth Star Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Mood Disorders

Using a combination of easily deployed surveys, smartphones, and wearable technology, we hope to intervene earlier, prevent undue suffering, and promote better outcomes.

We will test whether genetic markers known as polygenic risk scores can help identify individuals who may require more intensive treatment options earlier in their care or may have a higher risk of developing bipolar disorder.

As part of our precision medicine center, we are also working to identify the types of treatment that work best for an individual patient, including newer treatments such as Ketamine, esketamine, and various brain stimulation techniques.

Individuals suffering from mood disorders can be treated in a number of settings, ranging from their homes, to outpatient clinics and, if needed, inpatient units. As part of our precision medicine center, we are working with services delivery experts and the Johns Hopkins office of Telemedicine to determine which types of health care delivery work best for individual patients depending on “where” they are on their illness trajectory.