Research against depression: Marburg experts set new standards!

Research against depression: Marburg experts set new standards!

A new research network led by the Philipps University of Marburg has started its work to better understand the complex courses of affective disorders. The Collaborative Research Center (SFB/TRR) 393 is entitled “Modes of Affective Disorders” and is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) with 13.8 million euros until mid-2028. Prof. Dr. Tilo Kircher, spokesman for the SFB/TRR 393, emphasizes the importance of this research, as around 25% of adults in Germany meet the criteria for a mental illness every year.

Affective disorders, which include major depressive episodes and bipolar disorder, typically begin between ages 20 and 30. The symptoms of these diseases affect the well-being, psychosocial functioning and socioeconomic situation of those affected for decades. Inadequate understanding of the causes of symptom recurrence and chronicity of these disorders makes it difficult to develop effective treatment approaches.

Research approaches and methods

The ongoing research project aims to understand the trajectories of affective disorders and the cognitive-emotional mechanisms behind changes in symptoms. The study is being carried out in close cooperation with the Technical University of Dresden and other institutions, including the universities of Münster and Bonn as well as the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. The focus here is on the connection between environmental, psychosocial and (neuro)biological factors in the course of the disease.

One of the novel methods used in this study is the analysis of cell phone data and other biological and clinical parameters over a period of two years. The current status shows that the first test subject was admitted to the cohort at the beginning of March 2025. The recruitment of additional test subjects has now begun, with the goal of including a total of 1,500 patients with affective disorders and healthy volunteers in the study.

Goals and long-term perspectives

The research goals are clearly defined. This includes analyzing the course of relapses and remissions in affective disorders as well as determining the cognitive-emotional mechanisms and neurobiological correlates of acute symptom changes. In addition, mechanism-based interventions should be investigated in order to improve treatment options for those affected.

The interdisciplinary collaboration within the framework of the SFB/TRR 393 aims to strengthen international cutting-edge research and set new standards in the diagnosis and treatment of affective disorders. Marburg University Medicine is highlighted as a translational research focus in order to make a significant contribution that goes beyond basic research and strives for concrete improvements for patients.

Further information is available on the SFB/TRR 393 homepage, where interested parties can also find details about ongoing research and the institutions involved. The project is expected to provide significant insights that can benefit not only scientists but also those affected.