Message from the Director

Thank you for visiting the Vanderbilt Laboratory of Affective and Cognitive Imaging – or LACI for short.  We are an interdisciplinary research group dedicated to changing lives by expanding our understanding of the causes of depression and improving its treatment.

Our work focuses on depression in older adults.  Older adults have unique challenges that may contribute to depression, such as medical illnesses, difficulty with work or employment, or serious losses, such as the death of loved ones.  Some older depressed adults may experience problems with their memory or may not feel better after taking common antidepressant medications.  For many, it can be very hard to admit to feelings of depression and sadness, much less ask for help. 

What is depression?  Doctors and psychologists diagnose depression by its common symptoms: sadness, poor motivation and energy, trouble with concentration, feelings of guilt or regret, and sleep problems.  Although life stresses contribute to depression, we know that depression is a brain disorder.  Our brains work differently when we are depressed.  Treatments that improve depression, such as talk therapy or antidepressant medications, can help restore normal function and lead to recovery.