Learn about participating in psychiatry research and explore our open studies.
The integration of patient care and clinical research has been a hallmark of the Department of Psychiatry for more than 30 years.
Over the years, there has been an enormous expansion in the overall volume of research in the department and associated research funding—with more than $50 million in research programs last year alone—as well as a gradual shift in funding from pharmaceutical sponsorship to federal and foundation funding. The department has cultivated highly productive clinical and research programs focused on each of the major domains of mental health and psychopathology:
Each program is staffed by expert clinical researchers and clinicians working together to care for patients and conduct cutting-edge clinical research. In addition, our neuroscience, neuroimaging and genetic research programs include clinical and translational researchers whose work is informed and motivated by the unmet needs of our patient populations.
This research is making it possible to pinpoint affected areas of the brain; understand inherited risk factors and the role of environmental stress; develop more effective psychotherapies, medications and neurotherapeutic treatments; and ultimately to prevent these illnesses from occurring by intervening early.
Our neuroscience, neuroimaging and genetic research programs include clinical and translational researchers whose work is informed and motivated by the unmet needs of our patient populations. Our programs include:
The model of integrating clinical work and research is evident even in the names of the department’s major programs, such as the “Depression Clinical and Research Program,” the “Bipolar Clinic and Research Program,” and the “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Clinic and Research Unit.” Our programs include:
Clinical researchers in our department have had leadership roles in landmark national studies of the course, genetics and treatment of major psychiatric disorders. This includes a series of federally funded treatment studies begun in the late 1990s and a wide variety of other national programs.
The breadth and depth of our psychiatric research continues to grow despite the challenges of an uncertain funding environment. From its roots as a department known for its contributions in consultation-liaison psychiatry and psychopharmacology with little external funding, the Department of Psychiatry now has 60 active research programs and laboratories. In particular, the department has established highly productive research programs in three cross-cutting domains:
U.S. News & World Report ranks Mass General psychiatry top among U.S. hospitals.
Advances in Motion highlights the latest breakthroughs, research and clinical trials from Mass General.
We provide care for patients of any age throughout the lifespan.
For 80 years, Mass General's Psychiatry Department has provided the highest quality patient care through pioneering research.
A team of researchers is among the first to ask if baby teeth can be used to explore if there are certain ages when being exposed to childhood adversity is even more harmful.
A team of scientists from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has developed a software-based method of scanning electronic health records (EHRs) to estimate the risk that a healthy person will receive a dementia diagnosis in the future.
In the largest-ever study of its kind researchers identified more than 100 genetic variants that affect the risk for more than one mental health condition.
Experiences of discrimination are associated with increased distress and lead to both diminished quality of life and a decrease in resources needed to successfully sustain recovery.
The Department of Psychiatry welcomed Maurizio Fava, MD, as the new leader of the department on October 1. Dr. Fava reflects on his outlook as he takes over as chair of the department.
A team led by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers report that mindfulness meditation appears to help extinguish fearful associations.
To find out more about our research, clinical services, schedule an appointment or refer a patient, contact the Department of Psychiatry.
