News

Updated April 8, 2020

Helen S. Mayberg, M.D., director of the Nash Family Center of Advanced Circuit Therapeutics and professor of neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry and neurosciences at Mount Sinai was just announced as the winner of the U-M Depression Center’s 2020 Eisenberg Prize. Mayberg is a neurologist renowned for her study of brain circuits in depression and for her pioneering deep brain stimulation research, which has been heralded as one of the first hypothesis-driven treatment strategies for a major mental illness.

Dr. Mayberg’s research consists of “Rethinking Depression and its Treatment: Insights from Studies of Deep Brain Stimulation.” Mayberg is the third recipient of this award worth $50,000. The honor of the award includes a lecture to be given at the University of Michigan hospital at a date to be determined in fall 2020.

“Dr. Mayberg’s comprehensive skill set and state-of-the-art contributions make her an ideal candidate for this prize,” said John F. Greden, M.D., executive director of the U-M Depression Center. “Helen’s ability to cross boundaries and incorporate advances about neuroscience mechanisms, the importance of biomarkers, the need for precision treatments and strategies for developing them, and the commonality of co-occurrences and how to deal with them prove her leadership in the field. We anticipate that she will continue to be a sterling leader in understanding vital important brain mechanisms for years to come.”

The Eisenberg Research Prize is a prestigious award is given annually to a world-renowned scientist and honors breakthrough research accomplishments that advance knowledge in the understanding of mechanisms and treatments in depressions, bipolar illnesses, or related disorders. Past prize awardees include Karl Deisseroth, M.D., Ph.D. of Standford University and Kerry Ressler, M.D., Ph.D. of McLean Hospital.

Learn more about the U-M Comprehensive Depression Center here.