Mood disorders

Mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder can seriously affect the sufferer’s ability to function and cope. The extremes of emotion can interfere with work, relationships and may lead sufferers to try to cope with drugs or alcohol. We work with colleagues in other parts of the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience to understand the neuroscience of mood disorders.

Our imaging techniques will be vital in safely translating potential new drugs from the laboratory into real treatments for patients. We believe that by identifying the role of genes, changes in cells and brain structure and function, and drug action we will make real changes to the lives of people coping with these conditions.

Our key questions:

• Can we develop new experimental models to understand mood disorders?
• How do changes in structure and function of our brains contribute to mood disorders?
• What is the role of brain chemistry in mental illness?
• How does our gut microbiome contribute to mental health?
• How can we image the effects of potential treatments for patients?

Click people profiles to discover their research: