Projects

This project investigates the impact of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on sleep and dreaming in individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Using a longitudinal design, high-density EEG, polysomnography, and serial awakening methods, the study aims to quantify changes in dream frequency, intensity, and neurophysiology before and after SSRI treatment. The findings will enhance understanding of how antidepressants influence sleep-related emotional processing, with potential implications for optimizing treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes in MDD.

Depression typically has its onset during adolescent development. Studying a disorder at its onset presents an opportunity to understand the etiology of a disorder. Complaints of disrupted (insomnia) or excessive (hypersomnia) sleep are common among adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD). Previous studies have not addressed whether these two sleep subtypes in adolescent depression manifest different neurophysiology, clinical course or responsiveness to intervention. The current study will address these questions. This project is funded by the Interfaculty Research Cooperation of the University of Bern.

Mental health disorders are the leading cause of disability and illness in adolescents worldwide. Critical to progress in the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders is (1) understanding the neurobiological mechanism associated with these disorders and (2) identifying biomarkers that may predict disease vulnerability, treatment response and illness course. The sleep EEG is a powerful index of brain structure and function, providing a window onto the developing brain. Furthermore, during sleep the brain generates internal oscillatory activity reflecting subcortical and cortical network activity quantifiable using the EEG.  This proposal combines sleep EEG measurements with state-of-the-art deep phenotyping of mental health in a transdiagnostic and dimensional manner in order to tackle this question. This project is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.