Research

We are committed to conducting research to advance the treatment of depression, anxiety, and mood disorders, using a variety of innovative techniques, including brain imaging. We often seek participants for our studies. Our main areas of scientific focus are as follows:

  • Discovering brain circuit abnormalities specific to discrete mood and anxiety disorders and brain circuit abnormalities underlying specific dimensions of psychopathology
  • Developing neuroimaging biomarkers of disease and treatment response in mood and anxiety disorders; developing functional magnetic resonance imaging as a measure of target engagement for therapeutic interventions
  • Uncovering genetic and epigenetic contributions to mood and anxiety disorders through candidate gene and imaging-genetic approaches
  • Translating discoveries in basic and behavioral neuroscience into breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders
  • Identifying rapidly acting, more effective treatments for mood and anxiety disorders through early-phase clinical trials of mechanistically novel agents

We have published papers in a wide range of peer-reviewed journals.

Learn more about our publications

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY AND TARGET VALIDATION OF A BIOACTIVE DIETARY POLYPHENOL PREPARATION (BDPP) FOR STRESS-RELATED DISORDERS

PI: James Murrough, MD, PhD

Study Coordinator: Maxine Marchidan

Funding: National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Center for Commentary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Description: The current study will assess the clinical pharmacology of BDPP in healthy subjects treated with three doses of BDPP (low, intermediate and high dose) and evaluate the effect of BDPP on blood levels of inflammatory cytokines, in particular IL-6, at baseline and in response to acute stress.

Inclusion: Participants will be males or females aged 18-55 years, with a body max index (BMI) less than 30.

Exclusion:  Any psychiatric diagnosis as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5); substance or alcohol use disorder in the past 2 years; any unstable medical illnesses; any diagnosed inflammatory or autoimmune disorder; clinically significant abnormalities of laboratory tests; use of medication or nutritional supplement known to affect inflammation and polyphenol levels; or female participants who are pregnant or nursing or plan to become pregnant.

Study Participation Length: Subjects will be on study for up to 10 weeks.

Compensation: Yes

A Dose Escalation Study of Harmine in Healthy Subjects

PI: James Murrough, MD, PhD

Study Coordinator: Leah Israel

Funding: Internal Funds

Description: This study is designed to investigate the safety of oral administration of harmine using an open label, two-stage, continual reassessment method with 8 doses of harmine at 100mg, 200mg, 300mg, 500mg, 700mg, 900mg and 1200mg in healthy volunteers. We anticipate that the proposed study will yield the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for harmine, which will guide future research efforts toward novel diabetes treatments.

Inclusion: Healthy adults; Men and Women, age 21-55; 110-220lbs

Exclusion:

  • Acute or severe medical illness i.e., delirium, metastatic cancer, decompensated cardiac, liver or kidney failure, major surgery, stroke or myocardial infarction during the three months prior to entry.
  • Presence of a significant neurological disease such as Parkinson's disease, primary or secondary seizure disorders, intracranial tumors, severe head trauma; neurodegenerative diseases i.e. MS
  • Presence or history of psychiatric disorder as diagnosed by MINI or SCID

Study Participation Length: Three visits

Compensation: Yes

Cognitive Neuroscience of Mood and Anxiety Disorders

PI: James Murrough, MD, PhD

Study Coordinator: Abigail Adams

Funding: Internal Funds

Description: We aim to conduct a set of cognitive and clinical assessments, and high-resolution MRI-based neural
measurements in subjects with mood and anxiety disorders, with the aim of fully phenotyping these individuals. Understanding the cognitive and neural features of these patients will inform biomarkers that will potentially predict treatment outcome that may lead to more effective, targeted therapies. This will be crucial for reducing the health, social and economic costs of these costly treatments. Our project has the potential to have a major public health impact to advance diagnostic and treatment efficacy for precision medicine for subjects suffering from mood and anxiety disorder

Inclusion: Male or female aged 18-75 years; 1. Meets DSM-V criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD), persistent depressive disorder, other specified depressive disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or anxiety disorders (including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social
Anxiety Disorder, and Panic Disorder) as determined by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-V Axis Disorders (SCID) or the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) OR 2.Does not meet for any current or past psychiatric diagnoses

Exclusion: Current or history of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder, neurodevelopmental disorder, or neurocognitive
disorder for patients and for healthy control subjects: any current or lifetime psychiatric disorder ; Active substance use disorder within the past 1 year; Positive urine toxicology screen for drugs of abuse at the time ofscreening*; Any unstable medical illnesses; Women who are pregnant; ; Any contraindications to MRI

Study Participation Length: Includes screening and one scanning visit

Compensation: Yes

Using Digital Technology to Monitor Mood and Anxiety Disorders

PI: Laurel Morris, PhD

Study Coordinator: Abigail Adams

Funding: 

Description: We aim to evaluate how smartphone-based assessments of mood, cognitive performance, mobility, sociability, and
physiology compare to gold-standard in-person clinical assessments and clinical symptoms related to mood. By demonstrating the validity
of real-world smartphone-based assessments, we will provide tools that can measure behavioral features that could predict symptom
progression and treatment outcome that may lead to more effective, targeted therapies. This will be crucial for reducing the health, social
and economic costs of costly treatments. Our project has the potential to have a major public health impact to advance diagnostic and
treatment efficacy for precision medicine for subjects suffering from mood and anxiety disorders

Inclusion: Male or female aged 18-75 years; Does not meet for any current or past psychiatric diagnoses as defined by DSM-V criteria as determined by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-V Axis Disorders (SCID) or the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI);

Exclusion: Does not speak English ; Does not own a smartphone that can run the study applications (Android or Apple

Study Participation Length: Three visits

Compensation: Yes

 

 

Every clinical research study is a little different, but there are some overarching topics to consider when thinking about participation.

Learn more about participating in our research studies