Our Research

Identifying Depression Early in Adolescence (IDEA) study

This is a global mental health project aiming to identify biological, psychological and social markers which could help identify adolescents at high risk of developing depression. As part of this project we have developed a composite risk score able to identify at age 15 those adolescents at higher risk of developing depression at age 18.  As part of this project, we are currently investigating biological phenotypes of increased risk for depression and biological predictors of depression in adolescence.

Recruitment: Closed

Research/Analysis: Ongoing

Publications: Zajkowska et al., 2023; Rohrsetzer et al., 2023, Cunha et al., 2023; Viduani et al., 2023; Pereira et al., 2022; Coye et al., 2022; Wahid et al., 2022; Tonen et al., 2022; Velazquez et al., 2022; Pedersen et al., 2022; Yoon et al., 2022; Latham et al., 2022; Burgess et al., 2022; Viduani et al., 2022; Zajkowska et al., 2022; Manfro et al., 2021; Mondelli et al., 2021; Viduani et al., 2021; Trotta et al., 2021; Yoon et al., 2021; Kieling et al., 2021; Zajkowska et al., 2021; Latham et al., 2021; Battel et al., 2021; Rocha et al., 2021; Wahid et al., 2021; Brathwaite et al., 2020; Wahid et al., 2020; Brathwaite et al., 2020; Pedersen et al., 2020; Battel et al., 2020; Kielling et al., 2020.

The BARIatric Surgery and DEPression (BARIDEP) study

In this study, we investigated the biological mechanisms underlying the comorbidity between depression and obesity in individuals underlying weight-loss (bariatric) surgery with a particular focus on the role of inflammation. As part of the study, we are also investigating predictors of physical and mental health outcomes following weight-loss surgery. We found that depression was associated with increased inflammation beyond the effect of obesity, and higher inflammation, rather than depression, may drive poor weight loss outcomes among bariatric patients.

The BIOmarkers in DEPression (BIODEP) study

This study is a multi-centre observational study that sees the collaboration between Brighton, Cambridge, Glasgow, London (King’s College), and Oxford. The study aimed to investigate immune-related biomarkers and profiles in patients with depression, stratified also for treatment exposure (responders, non-responders, and drug free). We found that the severity of childhood trauma experience contributed to a lack of response to antidepressant treatment.

The FLAME study

This study investigated how inflammation in the body can affect inflammation in the brain. Specifically, we were interested in microglial cell activation, using Positron Emission Tomography technique. We found that inflammation in the body produced changes in the brain indicating a brain immune response.

The LEARN-MOOD study

In this study we explored whether passive sensing data collected from wearable devices such as wristwatch fitness trackers could help in detecting mood changes in people with depression.

Depression & Inflammation study

This study investigated inflammatory predictors of depression by evaluating the effects of immunotherapy treatment for chronic hepatitis C viral infection. Often, immunotherapies such as interferon-alpha (and ribavirin), which were commonly used in the past, also increased the likelihood of developing depression in about 30% of those receiving treatment. Our research team investigated how clinical and biological factors are associated with development of interferon-alpha induced depression. We found that patients who developed IFN-α-induced depression had an increased biological sensitivity to IFN-α, as shown by larger gene expression changes related to inflammation, neuroplasticity and oxidative stress-related pathways.

Fatigue & Inflammation study

This study investigated the inflammatory mechanisms of persistent fatigue commonly developed following interferon-alpha (and ribavirin) treatment for chronic hepatitis C viral infection. We used this as a proxy model for chronic fatigue syndrome. We found that patients who developed persistent fatigue had an exaggerated initial response to treatment.

The Genetics And Psychosis (GAP) study

As part of this wide study focussing on genetic factors associated with onset of psychosis, we investigated cortisol and inflammatory markers in relation to brain structure and clinical outcome in individuals experiencing the first episode of psychosis. As part of this study, we have been the first to describe an abnormal biological response to stress at the onset of psychosis. As part of our work in this study, we identified the biological response to stress as one of the factors contributing to the brain abnormalities found at psychosis onset and we showed that biomarkers of stress predict poor clinical outcome in first episode psychosis.