Mood Disorders Lab

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Improving Treatments

We focus on developing and evaluating new interventions to help individuals affected by depression and bipolar disorder.

Research

In the U-M Medical School Department of Psychiatry, we conduct a range of studies on mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder. 

Our current, upcoming, and past research activities are designed to discover more effective treatments and improve outcomes for those living with mood disorders.

Contact

If you're interested in participating in research, please contact our team.

Active Studies

COMPASS

This study is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of a synthetic analogue of psilocybin for individuals with treatment-resistant depression. This is a phase 3, multisite, active placebo, randomized, double-blind trial. 

Participants will be enrolled for up to 62 weeks and will receive 2 to 4 dosing sessions with one of three possible doses of COMP360. All dosing is provided with accompanying psychotherapy.

Interventional Psychiatry Registry

This registry aims to better understand the long-term effects of novel clinical interventions for mood disorders, such as ketamine, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The study focuses on the durability of treatment efficacy and potential long-term adverse events. 

We are enrolling individuals who receive IV ketamine infusions, TMS, ECT, other novel treatments, or who participate in clinical trials for mood disorders, and will track their treatment progression and psychiatric symptoms over one year.

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Program Leadership

See all Psychiatry faculty portrait of Sagar Parikh

Sagar V Parikh, MD, FRCPC

John F Greden Professor of Depression and Clinical Neuroscience
Professor of Psychiatry and Program Director
Unipolar
Psychiatry
Medical School

Featured News & Stories

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Health Lab

What’s the latest on 7-OH and kratom availability and addiction care?

The United States Drug Enforcement Agency has announced it will place non-botanical products containing 7-OH on Schedule I, joining three other synthetic opioids, effectively removing them the market, leaving natural leaf kratom available amid a shortage of addiction treatment providers.
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Health Lab

Depression in OBGYN residents needs more attention, study suggests

New onset depression in obstetrics and gynecology residents in their intern year is common and often untreated, and linked to depression history, higher work hours and less sleep.
Department News

Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative Fall 2026 Newsletter

Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative Fall 2026 Newsletter
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Research News

Emily Kautz, M.A., nominated for inaugural Michigan Medicine award

Emily Kautz, M.A., was nominated for a Michigan Medicine award for transforming access to bipolar disorder care through collaboration and practical innovation.
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Research News

Sarah Sperry, Ph.D., featured on ‘Healthy Minds’ to discuss managing bipolar disorder

Sarah Sperry, Ph.D., of the Prechter Program discusses managing bipolar disorder in Season 11 of BBRF’s public television series “Healthy Minds.”
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Department News

Drugs are widely used to sedate dementia patients. Her sons wanted to keep her off them. - Dr. Lauren Gerlach is quoted in this NPR article

Drugs are widely used to sedate dementia patients. Her sons wanted to keep her off them - Dr. Lauren Gerlach is quoted in this NPR article