ANNUAL CONFERENCE

NNDC 2023 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

with co-host UTHealth Houston Mood Disorders Conference
October 12-14, 2023 | InterContinental Houston | Houston, Texas

The National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC) held its fifteenth annual conference from October 12-13, 2023 at the InterContinental Houston in Houston, Texas. The NNDC theme was ‘Mood Disorder Challenges: Emerging Systems and Individual Solutions’, followed by our co-host UTHealth Houston 2023 Mood Disorders Conference held on Saturday, October 14, 2023.

We hope that attendees found the conference beneficial and enjoyable, and they were able to learn about the latest research, hear from leading experts, and network with others in the field.

View past NNDC conference summaries below. Stay tuned for details about the next annual conference planned for September 2024 – and remember to sign up for our newsletter through our contact page to receive conference updates directly in your inbox.

THE NNDC ANNUAL CONFERENCE

In support of advancement through collaborative mental health research for our member institutions, the National Network of Depression Centers holds an Annual Conference each fall. The Annual Conference is a two-day educational event, bringing together NNDC members to learn from colleagues about the latest developments in the treatment and understanding of mood disorders. This CME-accredited event is hosted by a different NNDC Member Center every other year, providing the host site with an opportunity to shine a spotlight on local experts and programs.

The conference is not limited to member institution participants, although researchers and clinicians from member institutions benefit from a discounted ticket rate.

HISTORY OF THE NNDC ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Since the foundation of the NNDC in 2009, the goal of this annual conference has been to bring leading experts from across our network and around the world together to learn, discuss and explore opportunities to work together to address depressions and related mood disorders and improve patient outcomes. The content and theme of each conference is designed to respond to the changes, innovations, or new discoveries in the field of psychiatry. A short summary of a few of our most recent conference themes, locations, and content can be found below.

Each year that the annual conference is held in person, the NNDC supports early-career researchers with travel awards to present their research during the scientific poster session.  This session provides an opportunity for emerging scholars to gain feedback from recognized leaders in their field, inspire their colleagues, and compete, along with all the poster presenters, for poster awards. Travel awards are available to emerging scholars actively enrolled at or employed by a current NNDC Member Center. Submission requirements/directions for submissions will be posted in the details of “this year’s conference” when we are accepting submissions.

PAST CONFERENCE INFORMATION
2023 Conference — Mood Disorder Challenges: Emerging Systems and Individual Solutions

Location: Houston, TX

The National Network of Depression Centers is pleased to have provided another successful event for the NNDC 2023 15th Annual Conference held from October 12-13, 2023 in Houston, TX. The structure was a little different this year with NNDC business meetings held on Thursday, NNDC main sessions on Friday, and our co-host UTHealth Houston 2023 Mood Disorders Conference held on Saturday.

The NNDC agenda was carefully crafted to represent interesting, diverse subjects from around 10 NNDC member institutions. Featured sessions explored improving access for children, non-traditional treatments, technology and depression, and other hot topics in psychiatry. Michael E. Thase, MD, University of Pennsylvania delivered a plenary talk on novel and emerging antidepressant medications. Opportunities for attendees to connect with one another included a poster session, a networking happy hour, and a dinner & awards ceremony.

The first half of the UTHealth Houston agenda included a plenary talk about the latest depression guidelines by NNDC Medical Director Sagar Parikh, MD from University of Michigan Eisenberg Family Depression Center, followed by sessions on depression through the lifespan – children and adolescents, college students, and the elderly; The second half focused on treatments for major depressive disorders – ketamine/esketamine, neuromodulation, and psychotherapy.

2022 Conference — Fostering Mood Innovations: Research and Clinical Networks at the NNDC 14th Annual Conference

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

The National Network of Depression Centers had a smooth virtual to in-person transition after two years for the NNDC 2022 14th Annual Conference and the event was a huge success. The conference was held on September 20-21, 2022 and the conference theme was selected to highlight the ways collaborative efforts and networking can drive solutions to psychiatry’s biggest challenges. Sessions were largely inspired by NNDC Task Groups and featured updates from some of the most active and productive groups.

2021 Conference — Transforming Science, Transforming Society

Location: Virtual

The National Network of Depression Centers held its thirteenth annual conference virtually on September 21 & 22, 2021. With six CME eligible sessions, two poster sessions, a pre-conference roundtable on industry grant funding, and an awards ceremony this was another action packed conference! Check out the program guide below!

2020 Virtual Conference — Advances in Psychiatry: COVID-19 and Beyond

Location: virtual

Like many organizations, the NNDC decided to go virtual this year to reduce risk to our attendees. So, on October 1 and 2, 2020 our staff, speakers, and attendees all logged on from home offices, dining room tables, and even a closet. Despite the change in format, we were able to break our attendance record yet again, hosting 218 attendees.

Our 2020 conference, Advances in Psychiatry: COVID – 19 and Beyond, focused on programming to address the unique challenges this year has created for our member institutions, the field of psychiatry, and the world. Our programming was split into 2 days of shorter presentations with the first day focused on the challenges of COVID-19 and the second day focused on NNDC updates, opportunities, and a panel on pharmacogenomic.

Due to the unique virtual format of this conference the recordings of 2020 sessions as well as the Virtual Poster Directory are available for viewing/download on the 2020 Annual Conference Site.

2019 Conference — Mood Disorders in Transformation: Novel Approaches to Biology, Psychology, and Access to Care

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Held in the home of the NNDC headquarters, this conference broke records for the number of travel award recipients (13 Emerging Scholars received scholarships to cover their travel expenses), the highest number of attendees (more than 180) and posters (50) for an in-person event, and for the first time, we gave out two Best Poster Awards in the Basic Science category!

2018 Conference — Clinical Innovation, Collaboration, and Computational Psychiatry: Leveraging Networks

Location: Baltimore, MD

Traveling to Baltimore, MD, home of our Johns Hopkins University Center of Excellence member site, our 10th NNDC Annual Conference, Clinical Innovation, Collaboration, and Computational Psychiatry: Leveraging Networks, highlighted ways the NNDC is uniquely positioned to advance large-scale, multi-site studies and programs, bringing together NNDC Members, International Affiliates, and other partnerships formed along the way.

In the spirit of these collaborative efforts, the NNDC welcomed The University of Florida Mood Disorders Program and The University of Texas at Austin – Dell Medical School as Centers of Excellence in addition to The University of Toledo – College of Medicine and Life Sciences as an Associate Member. 2018 also welcomed our third international affiliate, the NNDC India Foundation.

2017 Conference — Precision Psychiatry for Depressions and Bipolar Illnesses

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Celebrating 10 years of the NNDC, the 9th Annual Conference, Precision Psychiatry for Depressions and Bipolar Illnesses, featured a keynote by Dr. Carlos Zarate, National Institute of Mental Health, and plenary lecture by Dr. Thomas Schulze, University Munich.

The conference showcased the latest developments in mood disorders research and how the NNDC, as a collaborative Network, is poised to foster positive changes in the way we understand, diagnose, and treat these illnesses. Our speakers and attendees engaged enthusiastically, making connections and starting conversations that are sure to spark new insights.

2016 Conference — Mood Outcomes: Innovations in Research and Collaboration

Location: Denver, CO

Designed to pair compelling speakers and poster presentations with ample time for networking between sessions, the 2016 Annual Conference, Mood Outcomes: Innovations in Research and Collaboration, was a wonderful opportunity for attendees from across the network and colleagues to make connections and advance collaborations.

Held in partnership with the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Depression Center at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Center of Excellence site, the conference features a keynote from Dr. Jürgen Unützer, Professor and Chair of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at University of Washington School of Medicine and Director of the Advancing Integrated Mental Health Solutions Center, and plenary lecture by Dr. Richard Weinshilboum, Dasburg Professor of Medicine, Oncology, and Pharmacology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.