Mood Disorders Research Group

The Mood Disorders Research Group has its major focus on exploring strategies on optimizing the acute and long term course of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorders as well as the development of effective prevention approaches. A main goal of our group is to improve early detection of prodromal bipolar disorders and to establish and evaluate early intervention programs for patients with bipolar disorders. To improve "very early prevention", we extensively study transgenerational effects of parental mood disorders on the well-being of the next generation. To better understand the neurobiological correlates of mood disorders, we conduct a variety of neuroimaging, genetic, epigenetic and hormonal studies. We are enthusiastic about better understanding pharmacogenetics of lithium salts particularly in augmentation treatment in treatment-resistant MDD. By exploring the genetic and environmental modulators of stress vulnerability we aim at developing approaches which lead towards a personalized prevention of mood disorders.