Psychiatric Neuromodulation Unit (PNU)

Our research group investigates underlying mechanisms and treatments for depression. The most efficient treatment for severe depression is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). In collaboration with Danish researchers, we were the first to demonstrate that the generation of new blood vessels and nerve cells in the brain increase after ECT. Others have subsequently shown that all antidepressant (AD) treatments exert these effects, and it is believed that plasticity in neural circuits is crucial for the AD effect. We now conduct a multicenter study where the AD and cognitive effects of ECT are compared to those of ketamine. Ketamine is an analgesic and anaesthetic agent that appears to exert a faster AD effect compared to traditional treatments, and to also be effective in treatment-resistant patients. Other ongoing preclinical and clinical studies aim to increase the increase the understanding of depression, and improve the diagnosis and treatment of our patients.