Women experience higher rates of mental illness than men do, and there are significant links between mental health and physical health — each impacts the other. Depression raises the risk for diabetes, and people with diabetes are more likely to become depressed, due partly to the complexities of managing this chronic disease.

The intersection of mental health and physical health is the newest research area for the Ludeman Center. Already the work of our researchers is addressing critical needs, like how to help manage the anxiety that women with certain types of heart disease often experience. The early-life biological origins of depression is also being investigated to better inform diagnoses, treatment approaches and perhaps even a cure.

Paterson Headshot

Identifying the Biological Origins of Depression

"Women are particularly vulnerable to depression. My research aims to identify the early-life biological origins of depression by examining the relationship between depression-related behaviors and brain vasculature. This research has the potential to identify novel targets that may represent earlier, faster and more effective therapeutic strategies for millions of women suffering from depression worldwide."

Clare Paterson, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology - Psychopharmacology
University of Colorado, School of Medicine

Researchers

Elissa Kolva, PhD
Clare Paterson, PhD
Andrew Novick, MD, PhD
 Vijay Ramakrishnan, MD

Jonathan Shaffer, PhD
Jeanelle Sheeder, PhD

Other Research Areas