The Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg and Family Depression Center has a rich legacy of supporting high-impact research on depression and other mental health disorders at the University of Michigan.

Building on this strong foundation, we seek to grow and support our community of researchers, clinical innovators, and mental health advocates, expanding their work's reach and impact even further. The University of Michigan is a leader across a diverse set of fields that are critically important to understanding depressive illness. 

Research focus areas 

We're investing in key areas with the greatest potential to create transformative advances. These areas of focus are just the starting point for progress:

  • Prevention. We aim to increase our knowledge of how factors like social connection, sleep and exercise, and systemic factors impact our mental well-being. We aim to promote interdisciplinary collaborations spanning various fields so we can focus on depression prevention from all angles.
  • Data & technology. Mobile technologies can collate mental and physical health data to understand the whole person. These tools also help us track symptoms and gain a better understanding of how to treat, intervene and prevent depression and other mental health disorders.
  • Precision mental health. Precision health practices, including those that utilize the power of mobile technologies, can progress our approach to mental health treatment and management. These tools can rapidly accelerate recovery by helping deliver efficient, in-the-moment intervention strategies and well-informed treatment decisions.

Recent publications from our members

Buprenorphine Dispensing after Elimination of the Waiver Requirement

As part of a major federal budget bill, doctors are no longer required to obtain an X waiver to prescribe buprenorphine, a life-saving medication approved to treat opioid addiction. In spite of this, a new study led by Kao-Ping Chua, M.D., Ph.D., with Amy Bohnert, Ph.D., et al, showed the policy failed to produce a meaningful increase in patient care. Published in The New England Journal of Medicine, April 2024.

Antidepressant Prescriptions Increased For Privately Insured People With Perinatal Mood And Anxiety Disorder, 2008–2020

Research led by Stephanie Hall, Ph.D., M.P.H., with Kara Zivin, Ph.D., et al, examined the impact of clinical recommendations by assessing prescriptions for perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD) before and after clinical recommendations changed in 2015 and 2016. Their findings show an increase in antidepressant prescriptions for PMAD after the change in guidelines, suggesting clinical recommendations can be an effective tool to change prescribing patterns. Published in Health Affairs, April 2024.

Intensive Longitudinal Assessment Following Index Trauma To Predict Development of PTSD Using Machine Learning

A recent multi-organizational collaboration led by Adam Horwitz, Ph.D., with Srijan Sen, M.D., Ph.D., et al, aimed to find a practical assessment to predict risk for developing PTSD after a traumatic incident. The researchers analyzed symptom data from the AURORA Study looking at adults who sought emergency care. Results indicated a weekly assessment of a patient’s nervousness, rehashing of the traumatic event, and fatigue could identify risks and potentially facilitate follow-up care. Published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders, June 2024.

Daily Rumination Among Older Men and Women: The Role of Perceived Family and Non-Family Social Partner Life Stress

This study, led by Kara Birditt, Ph.D. with Courtney Polenick, Ph.D., et al, examined how rumination levels are affected by perceived stress in their social circles, revealing a higher impact on women, potentially due to gender-role socialization. The findings suggest women's rumination seems to be influenced by concerns for others, whereas in men, it's associated with interpersonal tension. Published in the Journals of Gerontology, March 2024.

Clinical Outcomes in the Biomarkers of Ketamine (Bio-K) Study of Open-Label IV Ketamine for Refractory Depression

A recent “Bio-K” trial, led by Sagar Parikh, M.D., with Daniel Maixner, M.D., Jennifer Severe, M.D., John Greden, M.D., et al., found a 52% remission rate in treatment-resistant depression after three IV ketamine infusions, with no significant side effects. The results showed that infusion duration did not affect the outcome, and early response indicated eventual remission. Published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, March 2024.

Longitudinal Dynamics Between Anxiety and Depression in Bipolar Spectrum Disorders

A new publication from Prechter Program researchers Hanjoo Kim, Ph.D., Melvin McInnis, M.D., and Sarah Sperry, Ph.D., explored the bidirectional relationship between anxiety and depression in patients with bipolar spectrum disorders. Their finding show that anxiety significantly predicts future depression, with age and marital status influencing these effects. Such findings support the need for early, integrated treatments targeting both anxiety and depression people living with bipolar disorder. Published in the Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science, March 2024.