Research at Butler Hospital
Affiliated with the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Butler Hospital’s clinical research trials provide valuable information on brain-based diseases. Through our research, new treatments for diseases including depression and anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Alzheimer’s disease, and addictions are being developed and are providing relief to those afflicted with these life-altering illnesses.
Mood Disorders
Butler researchers have been developing better treatments for depression for over 25 years. Two such treatments, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) recently earned approval from the Federal Food and Drug Administration.
Butler is now the primary research site of a $250 million grant to further research on deep brain stimulation (DBS) for treating depression.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Butler was one of few hospitals in the country to conduct research using deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat OCD. DBS for the treatment of OCD just received the Federal Food and Drug Administration’s approval in 2008.
Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders
Research at Butler Hospital is helping to identify the causes of Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders, while discovering treatments that will limit the progression of these illnesses, as well as prevent onset.
Addictions
Recognizing that each person responds differently to different types of treatment, the addictions researchers at Butler are looking at various ways of treating alcohol, nicotine, and drug dependence.
Through exercise studies and new medications and behavioral studies, the addictions research experts are discovering new ways to help people recover from substance abuse.
Other Research at Butler Hospital
From studying how heart disease affects the brain, to researching how to prevent mental illness by improving family communication, Butler’s psychosocial researchers are studying all aspects of how the body and our social environment affects mental health.
To learn more about the research being conducted at Butler Hospital, please call 401-455-6220 or 1-800-433-6888 (in RI) or 1-800-272-9699 (outside of RI).
The rituals caused by Mario's OCD consumed his ability to be with his family, pursue his college studies, and to enjoy living, until new research on Deep Brain Stimulation gave him his freedom again. Read Mario's story
Research Helps Fight Depression
With the help of a research study at Butler Hospital, Pat was able to combate her life-long battle with depression. Read Pat's story
Research Video
Cutting-edge brain science helping to improve people's lives is taking place every day at Butler Hospital. Video Overview
