CDASR | Research

Individually and collaboratively, the four labs in the Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research maintain a robust and diverse research agenda. Here you’ll find descriptions of current research topics in each lab.

Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders Laboratory

Director: Isabelle M. Rosso, PhD. The Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders Laboratory conducts research on the neurobiological basis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorders, which may help inform diagnosis and lead to new treatment development for these serious and often debilitating conditions. The lab uses brain imaging technologies to study the function, structure, and chemistry of the brain in both healthy people and patients suffering from PTSD, anxiety, and depression. We also use behavioral paradigms, including...

Laboratory for Affective and Translational Neuroscience

Director: Diego A. Pizzagalli, PhD. Using a multi-modal approach spanning different levels of analyses (e.g., environment, genes, brain, behavior), lab members are working towards a better understanding of the causes, consequences, and pathophysiology of depression. One of lab’s main goals is to improve our understanding of functional, structural, and neurochemical brain abnormalities in depression. This information will be critical for developing better treatments, identifying individuals at increased risk for depression, and uncovering...

Motivated Learning & Memory Laboratory

Director: Daniel G. Dillon, PhD. The Motivated Learning & Memory Lab uses methods from cognitive and affective neuroscience to provide new insight into psychiatric illness. We are focused on understanding how depression affects long-term memory and reinforcement learning. Our ultimate goal is to generate new targets for prevention and treatment interventions.

Treatment and Etiology of Depression in Youth Laboratory

Director: Christian A. Webb, PhD. Lab Website: https://WebbsLab.com The Treatment and Etiology of Depression in Youth (TEDY) Laboratory uses a multimodal approach (EEG, fMRI, ecological momentary assessment, passive smartphone sensor data, laboratory-based experiments, and behavioral paradigms) to investigate the etiology and pathophysiology of depression in adolescents, as well as the mechanisms of change in psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatments for depression. Predicting Treatment Outcome in Depression Greater knowledge of...