See a diagram of the Black Dog Institute research domains.

Research Domain 1 - Determinants and Phenomenology

These studies reflect our long-standing interest in integrating both psychosocial and biological determinants, using our strength in phenomenology to better classify disorders - and our expertise in molecular genetic and neuroimaging techniques to further explicate multiple aetiological underpinnings.

Title of Study Principal
Investigator
The Impact of Maternal Anxiety on Infant Neurobehavioural and Neuroendocrine Outcomes Austin
Creativity, Cognition and Vulnerability to Psychotic Spectrum Disorders
 Green
Emotion Regulation in Depression and Psychosis Green
Imaging Genetics in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder: Adjudicating Neurocognitive Endophenotypes Green
Distinguishing Bipolar II from Bipolar I Disorder Parker
Measuring Melancholia by Prototypic Symptoms Parker
Studies Pursuing the Neurophysiological Perturbations in Melancholia Parker
A Longitudinal High-Risk Study of Bipolar Disorder Mitchell
Molecular Genetics of Bipolar Disorder Mitchell
Phenomenology of Bipolar Depression Mitchell
Cognitive function related to depressive episodes Wilhelm

Research Domain 2 - Vulnerability, Resilience and Quest

These studies look at the importance of resilience as a protective factor against the depressive disorders. Resilience in both clinical and non-clinical samples are studied.

Title of Study Principal
Investigator
Impact of Depression on Cardiac Functioning Parker
Gender Differences in the Experience of Depression Wilhelm
Men’s Experience of Depression Wilhelm
Non-Clinical Cohort Study Wilhelm

Research Domain 3 - Assessment and Innovative Interventions

These studies:

  • Advance assessment techniques
  • Improve understanding of why a particular treatment is effective in a particular disorder or depressive type
  • help to identify treatments that are better targeted for each individual
  • assist in developing new interventions where no effective treatments exist.
Title of Study Principal
Investigator
Antidepressants in Pregnancy and Infant Outcomes Austin

Video Imaging and Computational Modeling of Facial Expressions in Healthy Adults

Breakspear
Sydney Multisite Intervention of LaughterBosses and ElderClowns (SMILE) Brodaty
Drug trials – multiple studies Differing investigators
Brain Plasticity: A Study on the Brain's Ability to Adapt Loo

Ketamine as an Innovative and Rapid Acting Treatment for Depression

 Loo
Mild Brain Stimulation as a Treatment for Unipolar and Bipolar Depression (aka Direct Current Stimulation) Loo
Evaluation of an Online Positive Psychology Program in Young People Manicavasagar
A Novel Psychological Intervention for Bipolar Disorder Mitchell
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression Parker
Cognitive Styles in Mood Disorders Parker
Comparing Medication and CBT as Treatments of Melancholia Parker
Computer-based Depression Assessment Tool (the MAP) Parker
Impact of a First Time Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder Parker
Micro-studies of Treatment Effectiveness Parker
Non-Melancholic Depression: A Naturalistic Treatment Outcome Study Parker
Screening for Depression in the Medically Ill Parker
Testing the Validity of a Genotyping Test of Metabolising Response to Antidepressant Drugs Parker
The Use of Stimulant Drugs as Antidepressants Parker
Wellbeing Group Program for Adults with Bipolar II Disorder Manicavasagar
“myCompass”: Monitoring and self-management of stress, anxiety and depression via mobile phone and computer Proudfoot
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) for the Treatment of Resistant Depression, using the NeuroCybernetic Prosthesis (NCPÒ) System Sachdev
Case Finding in General Practice Wilhelm
Choosing Your Options: A Creative Approach to Deliberate Self-harm Wilhelm
Diabetes and Depression Wilhelm
Enhancing Resilience in Clinical Disorders Wilhelm

Research Domain 4 - Studying Treatment Resistance

In this stream our studies focus on devising a clinically meaningful model of treatment resistance that helps in understanding its causes and makes therapy more rational We postulate that treatment resistance is multifactorial, encompassing diagnostic and treatment processes – incorporating biological, psychological and social factors, aspects of the therapeutic relationship and the context within which the illness arises and is managed.

Title of Study Principal
Investigator
Developing Treatment Algorithms Parker
Predictors of Response to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Parker
Testing New Mood Stabilisers for Bipolar II Disorder Parker

Research Domain 5 - Functioning, Disability and other Sequelae

A large proportion of costs associated with the depressive and bipolar disorders arises from long-term (or recurrent) disability and burden. The assessment of these is poorly understood.

Differing team members will therefore

  1. Develop a Measure of Lifetime Severity of Bipolar Disorder (offering value in determining causes and correlates of poor outcome, as well as measuring more accurately any long-term benefit of therapies);
  2. Undertake Clinical Panel and Web-based Studies for Assessing Treatment Effectiveness – fostering the later development of algorithms to be developed identifying preferential responses to differing strategies for those with differing depressive sub-types (shaping refined RCT studies); and
  3. Undertake a Long-Term Follow-Up Study of Clinic Samples – assessing outcome and its predictors, focusing on cost issues and disability.
Title of Study Principal
Investigator
A 1 Year Follow-up Study of Women Having Psychosocial Screening in Pregnancy Austin
Antenatal and Postnatal Depression: Impact on Infant Mental Health Austin
The Impact of Depression on Cardiac Conditions Parker
The Impact of Psychiatric Morbidity on Maternal Perinatal Mortality Austin
The Long-Term Outcome of Depression: a Follow-up of People Seen at the Mood Disorders Unit Clinic Hadzi-Pavlovic