Matcheri Keshavan, MD
Professor of Psychiatry
Research Roles/Affiliations
Academic Head of the Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Contact Information
BIDMC- Mass. Mental Health Center, Room 610, 75 Fenwood Road, Boston MA 02115
E-mail: mkeshava@bidmc.harvard.edu
Relevant Links
Research
Dr. Keshavan's work focuses on neurobiological models of psychotic disorders and on the development and implementation of early interventions with biopsychosocial treatment strategies.
1. Neurobiological basis of psychotic disorders: Dr. Keshavan is one of the Principal Investigators of the Bipolar Disorders and Schizophrenia Network on Intermediate Phenotypes (B-SNIP), a six site NIH funded study which is investigating the unique versus distinct biomarkers in these two major mental disorders. A related ongoing study seeks to identify biomarkers to predict treatment response with clozapine. Another initiative is an ongoing NIH funded longitudinal study to characterize sleep alterations in patients with psychosis and adolescents at genetic risk for schizophrenia.
2. Cognitive enhancement studies: Dr. Keshavan’s ongoing research studies seek to further refine and test a novel approach to cognitive remediation, cognitive enhancement therapy (CET) in early course schizophrenia patients and in individuals at high risk for this illness. A large multi-center study is also under way, supported by PCORI, to compare effectiveness cognitive remediation and social skills training for people with severe mental illness.
3. Early intervention in psychotic disorders: The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health recently awarded a grant to BIDMC and MMHC to serve as the First Episode Psychosis Technical Assistance Center (FEP_TAC). Utilizing this resource, Dr. Keshavan, and colleagues are implementing an ongoing learning collaborative, Massachusetts Psychosis Network for Early Treatments (MAPNET) train mental health providers across Massachusetts in evidence based approaches to early intervention in psychotic disorders.
Apart from leading a thriving research program focused on psychotic and mood disorders, DR. Keshavan’s responsibilities include mentoring psychiatry residents, other trainees, and faculty into research careers. Dr. Keshavan’s lab at MMHC provides an opportunity for trainees to get first hand experience in several aspects of biological psychiatry research.
4. Digital mental health interventions: Along with Dr. John Torous, Dr. Keshavan’s group has developed the Digital Care Assessment Research and Education (D-CARE) Program at the BIDMC Department of Psychiatry. This program seeks to develop and implement smartphone based programs for learning, assessment, management and prevention (LAMP) for people with mental disorders. This program has been supported by a generous grant from the Natalia Foundation.
Research Interests
Schizophrenia
Biomarkers
Early Intervention
Psychosis
Neuroimaging
Cognition