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Hilary Blumberg, MD

John and Hope Furth Professor of Psychiatric Neuroscience and Professor of Psychiatry, and in the Child Study Center and of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging; Director, Mood Disorders Research Program

Contact Information

Hilary Blumberg, MD

Research Summary

A focus of Dr. Blumberg's laboratory is the use of brain scanning techniques to elucidate the differences in brain circuitry that underlie mood disorders, and how these differences develop in children and adolescence and change over the lifespan into later life. The goal of the research is identify causes of the disorders to design improved treatments and preventive strategies to decrease the suffering and high risk of suicide associated with the disorders.

The lab is working intensively on genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to the brain differences and that may point to new prevention and treatment strategies. Brain scanning techniques used in this work include structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study the size and shape of brain structures (including cutting edge new methods with 7 Tesla MRI scanning), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study how the parts of the brain function individually and as part of brain circuits, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to study the connections between brain structures.

Current research of the program includes study of a talk therapy to provide individuals with healthy strategies they can use to better regulate their emotions, BE-SMART (Brain Emotion Circuitry Targeted Self-Monitoring and Regulation Therapy), largely delivered by telehealth and that includes digital technologies such as wearables and smartphones.

Specialized Terms: Adolescence; Bipolar Disorder; Brain; Depression; Suicide; Development; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Emotion; Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Mania; Manic Depressive Disorder; Neuropsychiatry; Neuroscience; Women

Extensive Research Description

Dr. Blumberg is the Director of The Yale Mood Disorders Research Program (MDRP). The MDRP is dedicated to understanding the science of mood disorders, including bipolar disorder and depression, related disorders and suicide risk. The MDRP brings together a multi-disciplinary group of scientists from across the Yale campus in a highly collaborative research effort. The scientists use a wide variety of scientific methods to study how genetic and environmental factors affect the brain and influence the expression of mood disorders across the lifespan. Goals of the MDRP include the identification of biological markers for mood and related disorders and discovery of new treatment strategies. It is hoped that these research efforts will lead to new and improved methods for early detection and treatment, and prevention, of suffering and suicide risk of the disorders.

Current studies include:

  • MRI Brain Scanning Studies of Adolescents and Adults with Bipolar Disorder and Depression
  • MRI Brain Scanning Studies of Healthy Adolescents and Adults
  • MRI Brain Scanning Studies of Youths At-Risk for Bipolar Disorder
  • MRI Brain Scanning Studies of Adults ages 40-79 years with Bipolar Disorder or without psychiatric disorders
  • Study of a non-medication psychobehavioral treatment "BE-SMART" to provide individuals healthy skills they can use to improve their emotion regulation, decrease symptoms of bipolar disorder and depression and reduce their suicide risk.


Coauthors

Research Interests

Adolescent Psychiatry; Bipolar Disorder; Depression; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Psychiatry; Suicide; Mood Disorders; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Neuropsychiatry

Research Image

Selected Publications

  • Brain grey and white matter structural associations with future suicidal ideation and behaviors in adolescent and young adult females with mood disordersColic L, Villa L, Dauvermann M, Velzen L, Sankar A, Goldman D, Panchal P, Kim J, Quatrano S, Spencer L, Constable R, Suckling J, Goodyer I, Schmaal L, Harmelen A, Blumberg H. Brain grey and white matter structural associations with future suicidal ideation and behaviors in adolescent and young adult females with mood disorders JCPP Advances 2022, 2 DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.12118.
  • Differences in quantification of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) across bipolar disorder and major depressive disorderHolmes S, Asch R, Davis M, DellaGioia N, Pashankar N, Gallezot J, Nabulsi N, Matuskey D, Sanacora G, Carson R, Blumberg H, Esterlis I. Differences in quantification of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) across bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder Biological Psychiatry 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.10.018.
  • A Multimodal Imaging Approach to Identify Brain Connectivity Targets for Early Detection, and to Reduce Symptoms and Prevent Progression and Suicide Risk, in Bipolar DisorderGoldman D, Sankar A, Colic L, Villa L, Kim J, Pittman B, Constable R, Scheinost D, Blumberg H. A Multimodal Imaging Approach to Identify Brain Connectivity Targets for Early Detection, and to Reduce Symptoms and Prevent Progression and Suicide Risk, in Bipolar Disorder Biological Psychiatry 2022, 91: s38-s39. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.02.114.
  • P276. Estradiol Effects on an Emotional Interference Task in Adolescents With Current and Remitted Major DepressionSullivan A, Chung Y, Novotny S, Epperson C, Kober H, Gross J, Phillips M, Blumberg H, Pearlson G, Stevens M. P276. Estradiol Effects on an Emotional Interference Task in Adolescents With Current and Remitted Major Depression Biological Psychiatry 2022, 91: s199. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.02.512.
  • P681. Estradiol Effects on Amygdala Activity During Emotion Regulation in Adolescent GirlsBarratt S, Novotny S, Chung Y, Kober H, Epperson C, Phillips M, Ochsner K, Gross J, Blumberg H, Pearlson G, Stevens M. P681. Estradiol Effects on Amygdala Activity During Emotion Regulation in Adolescent Girls Biological Psychiatry 2022, 91: s366. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.02.918.
  • P193. Right Lateral Amygdala Nucleus Volume in Adolescents and Young Adults With Bipolar Disorder Assessed With High Field Magnetic Resonance ImagingYe J, Ye J, Fan S, Fan S, Coman D, Kolosowska N, Kolosowska N, Goldman D, Spencer L, Spencer L, Qiu M, Dhaher R, Sankar A, Colic L, Colic L, Mason G, Rothman D, Fudge J, Fudge J, Berretta S, Berretta S, Blumberg H. P193. Right Lateral Amygdala Nucleus Volume in Adolescents and Young Adults With Bipolar Disorder Assessed With High Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging Biological Psychiatry 2022, 91: s165. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.02.427.
  • Illness Chronology, Brain Morphology and Mixed Symptom Presentations in Older Age Bipolar Disorder: Emerging Findings from the Global Aging & Geriatric Experiments in Bipolar Disorder Database (GAGE –BD) ProjectSajatovic M, Lavin P, Blumberg H, Eyler L. Illness Chronology, Brain Morphology and Mixed Symptom Presentations in Older Age Bipolar Disorder: Emerging Findings from the Global Aging & Geriatric Experiments in Bipolar Disorder Database (GAGE –BD) Project American Journal Of Geriatric Psychiatry 2022, 30: s8-s9. DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2022.01.263.
  • Brain structure associated with future suicide thoughts and behaviors in female adolescents with mood disordersColic L, Villa L, Dauvermann M, van Velzen L, Sankar A, Goldman D, Panchal P, Kim J, Schmaal L, van Harmelen A, Blumberg H. Brain structure associated with future suicide thoughts and behaviors in female adolescents with mood disorders Neuroscience Applied 2022, 1: 100781. DOI: 10.1016/j.nsa.2022.100781.
  • P.0415 Meta-analysis of cognitive performance in older adults with bipolar disordersMontejo L, Torrent C, Jiménez E, Martínez-Arán A, Bonnín C, Vieta E, Blumberg H, Burdick K, Chen P, Dols A, Eyler L, Forester B, Gatchel J, Gildengers A, Kessing L, Miskowiak K, Olagunju A, Patrick R, Schouws S, Radua J. P.0415 Meta-analysis of cognitive performance in older adults with bipolar disorders European Neuropsychopharmacology 2021, 53: s301-s302. DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2021.10.388.
  • A Graph Theoretical Connectome Measure to Assess Whole Brain Functional Connectivity Disturbances Associated With Suicide Attempts in Bipolar DisorderSankar A, Scheinost D, Goldman D, Drachman R, Colic L, Villa L, Kim J, Gonzalez Y, Marcelo I, Shinomiya M, Pittman B, Lacadie C, Oquendo M, Constable R, Blumberg H. A Graph Theoretical Connectome Measure to Assess Whole Brain Functional Connectivity Disturbances Associated With Suicide Attempts in Bipolar Disorder Biological Psychiatry 2021, 89: s296. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.02.737.
  • Brain Structure Circuitry Associated With the Development of Suicide Thoughts and Behaviors in Adolescents and Young Adults With Mood DisordersColic L, Villa L, Goldman D, Panchal P, Sankar A, Blumberg H. Brain Structure Circuitry Associated With the Development of Suicide Thoughts and Behaviors in Adolescents and Young Adults With Mood Disorders Biological Psychiatry 2021, 89: s21-s22. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.02.073.
  • Age-Related Brain Structure Differences, by Age of Onset, in Older Adults with Bipolar DisorderVilla L, Colic L, Sankar A, Goldman D, Lessing B, Alexopoulos G, van Dyck C, Blumberg H. Age-Related Brain Structure Differences, by Age of Onset, in Older Adults with Bipolar Disorder American Journal Of Geriatric Psychiatry 2021, 29: s26. DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2021.01.019.
  • 7.3 EFFECTS OF A TARGETED PSYCHOBEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION ON EMOTION REGULATION, MOOD, SUICIDE RISK, AND BRAIN CIRCUITRY IN ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH BIPOLAR DISORDERKim J, Sankar A, Goldman D, Colic L, Spencer L, Lecza B, Silverman W, Swartz H, Blumberg H. 7.3 EFFECTS OF A TARGETED PSYCHOBEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION ON EMOTION REGULATION, MOOD, SUICIDE RISK, AND BRAIN CIRCUITRY IN ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER Journal Of The American Academy Of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 2020, 59: s168. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2020.08.124.
  • Mood State Differences in Intrinsic Connectivity Distribution of Adolescents and Young Adults With Bipolar DisorderGoldman D, Sankar A, Colic L, Spencer L, Lacadie C, Scheinost D, Constable R, Blumberg H. Mood State Differences in Intrinsic Connectivity Distribution of Adolescents and Young Adults With Bipolar Disorder Biological Psychiatry 2020, 87: s416-s417. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.02.1063.
  • Targeting Emotion Regulation Circuitry With a Psychobehavioral Intervention to Reduce Hopelessness in Bipolar DisorderSankar A, Goldman D, Colic L, Kim J, Spencer L, Lecza B, Carrubba E, Quatrano S, Silverman W, Swartz H, Blumberg H. Targeting Emotion Regulation Circuitry With a Psychobehavioral Intervention to Reduce Hopelessness in Bipolar Disorder Biological Psychiatry 2020, 87: s116. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.02.318.
  • Brain Circuitry Targets to Interrupt the Development of Suicide Thoughts and BehaviorsColic L, Lippard E, Goldman D, Sankar A, Blumberg H. Brain Circuitry Targets to Interrupt the Development of Suicide Thoughts and Behaviors Biological Psychiatry 2020, 87: s23. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.02.084.
  • Self-Reported Child Maltreatment, History of Suicide Attempts and Surface Area in Adults With Bipolar DisorderColic L, Sankar A, Clark A, Rathi D, Goldman D, Lippard E, Blumberg H. Self-Reported Child Maltreatment, History of Suicide Attempts and Surface Area in Adults With Bipolar Disorder Biological Psychiatry 2020, 87: s441. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.02.1124.
  • Increased Anterior Cingulate and Caudate Activity in Bipolar ManiaBlumberg H, Stem E, Martinez D, Ricketts S, de Asis J, White T, Epstein J, McBride P, Eidelberg D, Kocsis J, Silbersweig D. Increased Anterior Cingulate and Caudate Activity in Bipolar Mania 2019, 177-184. DOI: 10.4324/9781315054308-17.
  • THE USE OF MULTIMODAL MRI AND COMPUTATIONAL APPROACHES TO INFORM NOVEL INTERVENTIONS FOR AGING AND MOOD DISORDERS Session 102Gunning F, Blumberg H, Wang L, Victoria L. THE USE OF MULTIMODAL MRI AND COMPUTATIONAL APPROACHES TO INFORM NOVEL INTERVENTIONS FOR AGING AND MOOD DISORDERS Session 102 American Journal Of Geriatric Psychiatry 2019, 27: s4. DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2019.01.139.
  • 206. Neuroimaging View of the Temporal Architecture of Bipolar DisorderLippard E, Fan S, Weathers J, Wang F, Blumberg H. 206. Neuroimaging View of the Temporal Architecture of Bipolar Disorder Biological Psychiatry 2018, 83: s83. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.02.225.
  • 117. Neurodevelopment of Suicidal Behavior in Bipolar DisorderLippard E, Wang F, Oquendo M, Blumberg H. 117. Neurodevelopment of Suicidal Behavior in Bipolar Disorder Biological Psychiatry 2018, 83: s48. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.02.135.
  • F143. Commonalities and Distinctions in White Matter Integrity Associated With Suicide Behavior Between Adolescents and Young Adults With Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive DisorderFan S, Cox B, Wallace A, Spencer L, Oquendo M, Blumberg H. F143. Commonalities and Distinctions in White Matter Integrity Associated With Suicide Behavior Between Adolescents and Young Adults With Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder Biological Psychiatry 2018, 83: s293. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.02.757.
  • Neurobiology of Developing Bipolar DisorderRusso J, de Zwarte S, Blumberg H. Neurobiology of Developing Bipolar Disorder 2014, 243-281. DOI: 10.1093/med/9780199985357.003.0011.
  • Integrating Imaging and Genetic ResearchPerlis R, Blumberg H. Integrating Imaging and Genetic Research 2012, 239-252. DOI: 10.1093/med/9780199797608.003.0101.
  • Reduced white matter integrity in healthy individuals carrying the A-allele at DISC1 Ser704CysSprooten E, Sussmann J, Moorhead T, Whalley H, Ffrench-Constant C, Blumberg H, Bastin M, Hall J, Lawrie S, McIntosh A. Reduced white matter integrity in healthy individuals carrying the A-allele at DISC1 Ser704Cys Molecular Psychiatry 2011, 16: 685-685. DOI: 10.1038/mp.2011.69.
  • P.2.e.029 Levetiracetam in the management of bipolar depression: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trialSaricicek A, Maloney K, Lorberg B, Muralidharan A, Ruf B, Blumberg H, Hu J, Pittman B, Sanacora G, Bhagwagar Z. P.2.e.029 Levetiracetam in the management of bipolar depression: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial European Neuropsychopharmacology 2009, 19: s465. DOI: 10.1016/s0924-977x(09)70728-x.
  • A Novel Paradigm for Examining the Interfering Effects of Emotional Distracters During a Working Memory Task: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) StudyKerestes R, Ladouceur C, Meda S, Blumberg H, Nathan P, Maloney K, Ruf B, Saricicek A, Hu J, Pearlson G, Bhagwagar Z, Phillips M. A Novel Paradigm for Examining the Interfering Effects of Emotional Distracters During a Working Memory Task: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Study NeuroImage 2009, 47: s191. DOI: 10.1016/s1053-8119(09)72145-7.
  • Cortico-limbic development in bipolar disorder: a neuroimaging viewKalmar J, Shah M, Blumberg H. Cortico-limbic development in bipolar disorder: a neuroimaging view 2009, 161-182. DOI: 10.1017/cbo9780511757402.014.
  • Neuroimaging of emotional brain circuitry in bipolar disorderWeder N, Chepenik L, Kalmar J, Blumberg H. Neuroimaging of emotional brain circuitry in bipolar disorder Current Psychosis And Therapeutics Reports 2006, 4: 159-166. DOI: 10.1007/bf02629390.
  • The role of the ventral prefrontal cortex in mood disordersFredericks C, Kalmar J, Kalmar J, Blumberg H. The role of the ventral prefrontal cortex in mood disorders 2006, 545-578. DOI: 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198565741.003.0021.
  • Book Review: Advances in Brain ImagingBlumberg H. Book Review: Advances in Brain Imaging Clinical EEG And Neuroscience 2003, 34: v-v. DOI: 10.1177/155005940303400103.
  • Hippocampal and posterior association cortical hypoactivity associated with memory dysfunction in geriatric depressionDe Asis J, Stern E, Alexopoulos G, Pan H, Blumberg H, Wilfred V, Silbersweig D. Hippocampal and posterior association cortical hypoactivity associated with memory dysfunction in geriatric depression NeuroImage 2001, 13: 1040. DOI: 10.1016/s1053-8119(01)92373-0.
  • DECREASED ORBITOFRONTAL ACTIVATION IN MANIA: AN H2150 PET ACTIVATION STUDYBlumberg H, Silbersweig D, Martinez D, Ricketts S, de Asis J, White T, McBride A, Kemperman I, Isenberg N, Emmerich S, Epstein J, Eidelberg D, Kocsis J, Stern E. DECREASED ORBITOFRONTAL ACTIVATION IN MANIA: AN H2150 PET ACTIVATION STUDY NeuroImage 1998, 7: s896. DOI: 10.1016/s1053-8119(18)31729-4.
  • Paranoia, Perceiving Threat where there is None: An H2 150 Pet Study of Mesotemporal Function in SchizophreniaIsenberg N, Stern E, Smith T, Emmerich S, Malavade K, Beattie B, Blumberg H, Epstein J, Bride A, Silbersweig D. Paranoia, Perceiving Threat where there is None: An H2 150 Pet Study of Mesotemporal Function in Schizophrenia NeuroImage 1998, 7: s95. DOI: 10.1016/s1053-8119(18)30928-5.
  • 91. Increased activation of cingulate and association cortices in the manic stateBlumberg H, Silbersweig D, Martinez D, Ricketts S, de Asis J, McBride A, White T, Eidelberg D, Isenberg N, Kemperman I, Emmerich S, Epstein J, Kocsis J, Stern E. 91. Increased activation of cingulate and association cortices in the manic state Biological Psychiatry 1998, 43: s28. DOI: 10.1016/s0006-3223(98)90539-x.

Clinical Trials

ConditionsStudy Title
Mental Health & Behavioral ResearchImpact of Reward and Frustration on Early Attention: Associations with Irritability in Young Adults
Diseases of the Nervous System; Mental Health & Behavioral ResearchExamination of Glutamate and mGluR5 in Psychiatric Disorders
Brain Response Associated With Parent-based Treatment for Childhood Anxiety Disorders
Diseases of the Nervous System; Genetics - Adult; Genetics - Pediatric; Mental Health & Behavioral ResearchBrain Emotion Circuitry-Targeted Self-Monitoring and Regulation Therapy (BE-SMART)
Mental Health & Behavioral ResearchImaging mGluR5 and synaptic density in psychiatric disorders