Affective Disorders

Affective disorders, which include major depressive and bipolar disorders, are among the most common mental disorders, with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 20%. Typically emerging in the 20 to 30 age range, they represent one of the leading causes of global disability in the 21st century. Affective disorders are assumed to result from a complex interplay of vulnerability and risk factors, including genetic predisposition, environmental influences, individual neurobiological characteristics (e.g., brain networks, stress reactivity, inflammation, metabolic and hormonal factors), cognitive-emotional dysregulation, social-behavioral such as physical activity. The trajectories of affective disorders are highly variable, and despite their high prevalence, the mechanisms underlying recurrence, remission and chronicity remain poorly understood. Gaining deeper insight into these mechanisms is crucial for developing more precise treatment strategies, particularly given the profound impact of long-term illness on well-being, psychosocial functioning and socio-economic burden affecting millions worldwide. 

As part of the SFB/TRR 393 " Trajectories of Affective Disorders: Cognitive-Emotional Mechanisms of Symptom Change" (Project B01), we aim to better understand the influence of emotion regulation and significant life events on mood states and depressive episodes. This research is intended to shed light on the progression of affective disorders and the recurrence of episodes. The overarching goal of SFB/TRR 393 is to develop and implement innovative treatment approaches at an early stage in order to mitigate the long-term impact of affective disorders.