Our research

The overreaching hypothesis that frames our work is that depressive disorders are accompanied by, if not caused by, identifiable biological abnormalities that contribute to both the psychological and somatic aspects of these illnesses. This is a comprehensive hypothesis involving the study of several biomarkers, including (but not limited to) cellular stress, inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, vitamin D, neurotransmitters, gut microbiome, and brain imaging. Treatment of depression is hampered by the failure to identify distinct symptom profiles with distinct pathophysiologies that differentially respond to distinct treatments. We use blood, brain, and feces biomarkers to delineate specific subgroups of depression and test the antidepressant efficacy of various interventions targeting these specific biological pathways. The goal of our research program is to advance precision psychiatry by tailoring antidepressant treatments.

We are interested in the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of physical activity and how physical activity influences biomarkers associated with depression and anxiety. In addition, we also want to explore how antidepressant interventions may increase physical activity, measured with momentary ecological assessments.

Aims

• To investigate the antidepressant and/or anxiolytic effects of physical activity

• To understand the biological mechanism underlying the antidepressant or anxiolytic effects of physical activity

• To objectively assess improvement in physical activity after successful antidepressant treatment

Impact

We hope that our research could result in more tailored treatments of depression, including physical activity.

How our research contributes to CoPARLU

We contribute with psychiatric expertise.