The Mood Disorders Research Unit
at Roosevelt Hospital

The Mood Disorders Research Unit

The Mood Disorders Research Unit is an outpatient psychiatric research unit at Roosevelt Hospital run under the direction of David J. Hellerstein, MD, who is also the Clinical Director at New York State Psychiatric Institute. We have been in operation since 1989 and have participated in numerous clinical trials of psychiatric treatments for mood disorders. We have been involved in key studies of SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as Prozac and Zoloft, and studies of newer medications such as Effexor and Wellbutrin. We have also designed and conducted pioneering studies of combined treatment with psychotherapy. Our past research has focussed primarily on treatment options for mood disorders, such as Dysthymia (chronic mild depression), Major Depression ("clinical depression"), and Bipolar Disorder (previously known as manic depression). New studies and treatments are continually in development.

All medication and study procedures (which include a psychiatric evaluation, blood and urine tests, and sometimes a physical exam and ECG) are completely free of charge. Some of our studies include a double-blind placebo condition, but many are Open-Label, meaning that all patients receive active medication.

To find out more information about our current studies and who is eligible to participate, please feel free to call the project manager, Sarai Batchelder, PhD, at (212) 523-7666 with any questions.