Psychiatry

Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute

Research

Trivedi Lab (CDRC) Clinical Trials Discoveries

For more than two decades, Dr. Madhukar Trivedi and his colleagues at UT Southwestern have conducted cutting-edge research to improve the treatment of depression. 

 

Why Mood Disorders?

A depressive disorder is a whole-body illness that involves the way we think, feel, and behave and can even affect our physical health. While occasionally experiencing a “blue” mood or feelings of unhappiness is not an indication of a depressive disorder, it is important to understand that people who do meet the criteria for a depressive illness most often cannot get better on their own.

Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or even years. During any one-year period, nearly 19 million American adults suffer from a depressive illness. Appropriate treatment, however, can help people who suffer from depression achieve partial or total remission in nearly 80% of cases.

 

The Challenge of Diagnosis and Treatment

  1. Causes of depression remain unknown. 
  2. There are no reliable laboratory tests for diagnosis. 
  3. Individuals who suffer from depression are often placed in a single, broad category. 
  4. Choosing effective treatments is historically imprecise and largely based on a trial-and-error approach, cycling patients through multiple therapeutics or interventions before finding an effective treatment. 

 

At the Forefront of Research

Housed within the Department of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical Center, we have one of the strongest programs in the nation for mood disorders research and treatment. 

Learn about our current research.

Participate in our research.

 

Primary Research Areas

 

Discoveries

Learn more about the notable research that is changing the future of depression and mood disorder diagnosis and treatment.

CDRC Past Notable Research Accomplishments

 

For information about CDRC programs, research, or activities, contact us at CDRC@UTSouthwestern.edu.