Turku Mood & Memory Lab

Discovering New Frontiers in Mood and Memory Research

About

The Turku Mood and Memory Lab, established in 2024, is a non-profit neuroscience research laboratory at the University of Turku. Our work focuses on the connections between psychiatric disorders and symptoms, sleep problems, metabolic health issues, and memory disorders.

By leveraging information from diverse datasets including biobank, birth cohort, and neuroimaging data, and cutting-edge analysis methods, we aim to produce scientific findings that can aid early risk detection and prevention of mood and memory disorders.

Key areas of our current research include:

Building a protocol for integrating brain image parameters, derived from clinically acquired brain MRIs, segmented and harmonized with state-of-the-art automated methods, with information-rich biobank data
Joint hereditary and environmental risk factors for psychiatric symptoms and memory disorders
The roles of previous depression and anxiety in the risk for mild cognitive impairment and its conversion into Alzheimer's disease
Associations between sleep disturbances and mood and memory disorders
Factors that influence psychotherapy outcomes in the context of clinical psychiatry, aiming to improve targeted, optimally timed, and cost-effective treatments for common mental disorders
Development and validation of interventions for affect dysregulation and (cognitive symptoms of) depression

Our goal is to identify novel mechanistic pathways and biomarkers, especially regarding depression and Alzheimer's disease. Simultaneously, we strive to test new interventions for psychiatric and cognitive symptomatology, possibly also reducing later risk for mood and memory decline.

We are committed to pioneering studies that produce new knowledge, ultimately improving the prevention and management of psychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions.

Meet the Team

Our team at the Turku Mood and Memory Lab is a potent combination of acquired expertise and future talent.

Common traits that unite us as a team are the willingness to help others, integrity, and curiosity. Our working culture is characterised by a combination of hard work and deserved relaxation. We believe that maintaining balance in all aspects of life is the key to long-term success. We aim to contribute to a healthier tomorrow for humanity, one published paper at a time.

Principal Investigator

Noora Scheinin

Associate Professor and Chief Physician,
Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Satakunta Wellbeing Services County

The principal investigator, Noora, has extensive experience in researching both memory disorders and psychiatric symptomatology, as well as substantial expertise in epidemiology, imaging, and other biomarker research methods (See publications). Noora loves to wind down in the wilderness, sailing, or picking mushrooms, and spending time with family.

Senior Scientist

Jetro Tuulari

M.D., PhD., Associate Professor (Docent), Collegium Researcher, Department of Computing, Department of Clinical Medicine, PI of FinnBrain Neuroimaging Lab

Jetro is a neuroscientist and an expert on multimodal MRI and interdisciplinary research of (developmental) cognitive neuroscience. His research group studies how early life exposures, genes and environment shape the brain structure and function and how these intergenerational factors relate to health and wellbeing. Outside of the academia he likes to swim, trek and enjoy multiple ways of physical exercise, especially football, the king of sports, whenever possible in good company.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Jani Kajanoja

M.D., PhD. Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Satakunta Wellbeing Services County

Jani is an MD specializing in psychiatry and working part-time as a psychotherapist. He is broadly interested in psychiatric research and has published studies on emotional awareness, childhood maltreatment, addictive behaviors and philosophy of psychiatry. In his personal life Jani is passionate about meditation and contemplative traditions, as well as all kinds of acrobatics.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Aylin Rosberg

MSc, PhD, University of Turku

Aylin is a postdoctoral researcher in neuroscience, working at the intersection of brain development and neuroimaging. Her research focuses on how early-life factors, particularly maternal health and metabolic characteristics, are associated with brain structure and developmental trajectories from infancy to childhood. Her work also includes the analysis of large neuroimaging datasets and the validation of novel image analysis methods. Outside of work, she enjoys running, knitting, and reading.

Doctoral Researcher

Soren Kline

MSc in Human Neuroscience, University of Turku

Soren is a doctoral researcher in Clinical Research at the University of Turku. Their current PhD thesis project focuses on validating medical image-processing tools for the study of biomarkers for mood and memory disorders. To relax, Soren enjoys building boats and gardening.

Doctoral Researcher

Matias Mäkinen

MSc in Human Neuroscience, University of Turku
MSc in Economics & Business Administration, Turku School of Economics

Matias has a multidisciplinary background, having previously majored in Information Systems Science at the Turku School of Economics. Currently, he is studying the connections between sleep problems, depression, and Alzheimer's disease. Matias has good presentation, writing, and data skills acquired in both academia and industry. His favourite ways of relaxation are playing tennis and going to the sauna.

MD Student

Anna Rask

Bachelor of Medicine, University of Turku

Anna is a fifth-year medical student at the University of Turku, conducting her advanced studies in the Turku Mood and Memory Lab. Her current goal is to compile a comprehensive scientific literature review on the connections between earlier depression and later memory disorders. Anna likes to let go by running, singing, and spending time with loved ones.

MD Student

Enni Ylä-Jarkko

Bachelor of Medicine, University of Turku

Enni is a fifth-year medical student and a Bachelor of Medicine at the University of Turku. At the moment, she is very interested in neurology and mood disorders. Her most recent project is an advanced studies thesis that involves modern brain MRI analysis methods for large datasets. In her free time, Enni finds herself at ease when reading or painting.

Research partners

Among the many renowned collaborators aiding our research efforts, we have highlighted a few key people here.

Harri Merisaari

PhD, Adjunct Professor in Medical Image Analysis

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Turku
Turku Brain and Mind Center, University of Turku