About MoodLabmeets

Unraveling the course of Mood

At Moodlabmeets, we are an interdisciplinary research group dedicated to understanding the dynamic nature of mood and its regulation throughout adolescence and early adulthood — a life stage marked by extraordinary neurodevelopmental plasticity. We believe that by leveraging this plasticity, we can not only unravel the complex origins of mood disorders but also identify critical windows for prevention and intervention.

A Dynamic Approach to Mood and Self

Our work approaches mood disorders from a complexity perspective, integrating multiple levels of analysis: from hormonal, metabolic, and neurobiological processes to cognition, interoceptive awareness, and the evolving sense of self. At the heart of our research lies the question: How do biological, environmental, and psychological factors shape the developing brain and the construction of self-identity — and how can this knowledge inform innovative treatments?

The Microbiome, Exposome, and the Living Brain

A key focus of our research is the role of the microbiome and its interplay with the exposome — the sum of environmental influences throughout life — in shaping brain function, mood, and the development of the self. In partnership with the University of Amsterdam’s Swammerdam Institute of Life Sciences and Amsterdam Microbiome Expertise Center, we conduct discovery, mechanistic, and intervention studies that bridge biology and experience.

Clinical Innovation

Moodlab actively contributes to clinical progress through partnerships with the Amsterdam UMC’s Department of Mood Disorders and the Transition Center for Affective Disorders (TAS), focusing on early identification and intervention for young people. Read more about our clinical research programs in the next section.

Translating Science into Practice

In collaboration with the Amsterdam UMC’s Department of Mood Disorders and the Transition Center for Affective Disorders (TAS), Moodlab is pioneering early interventions for adolescents and young adults. Our programs span:

Neuroplasticity and Neuromodulation: Investigating innovative ways to enhance emotional flexibility and brain adaptability.

Cognition, Interoception, and Self: Understanding how bodily awareness and self-image impact mood regulation and resilience.

Esketamine Research: Studying treatment efficacy and long-term strategies for young patients with treatment-resistant depression.

Interventions for Anhedonia: Co-developing pharmacological, behavioral, and art-based interventions targeting motivational deficits in youth. In collaboration with the ABCD study.

Art as Catalyst

We actively integrate artistic perspectives into our research design, communication, and intervention development. Through collaborations with artists and creative practitioners, we foster new languages to visualize complexity, inspire reflection, and engage both scientific and broader communities. Art becomes a way to bridge abstract science with lived, embodied experience — and to invite curiosity, wonder, and connection.

Mission

At MoodlabMeets, we attempt to transform scientific knowledge into meaningful tools for mental well-being in patients with Mood Disorders. We believe that the brain’s capacity for change — and the human capacity for self-renewal — can be guided not only by data, but also by creativity and imagination

Join Our Research Community

Whether you are a student, researcher, clinician, or someone passionate about the future of mood disorders, we invite you to collaborate with us. By working together, we can drive meaningful advances in psychiatry and improve the lives of individuals affected by mood disorders.

For more information about our research, projects, or collaboration opportunities, please reach out to our team at Amsterdam UMC, location AMC.