• Addictions
• Anxiety Disorders
• Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive Illness)
• Brain Imaging and Brain Stimulation
• Disorders of Children and Adolescents
• Disorders of the Elderly
• Family Stress and Dysfunction
• Mood Disorders
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Victimization and Disaster Psychiatry
• Weight Management

back to top

The Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs is one of the nation’s premier academic centers for the study and treatment of alcohol and substance abuse. In 2005, U.S. News and World Report recognized CDAP as being the 8th best drug and alcohol abuse academic program in the United States.  Examples of some of the interdisciplinary topics under study are cravings for alcohol or cocaine, treatment of withdrawal symptoms, characterization of the alcohol withdrawal phenomenon, alcohol and social anxiety, and mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder which coexist with substance use.  In addition, CDAP has been designated by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism as a national Alcohol Research Center. The Clinical Neuroscience Division is the home of two translational research centers, including the Clinical Trials Network, one of 17 regional research and training centers. CND has established collaborations with community treatment programs throughout the Southeast.  Clinical trials of empirically based substance abuse treatments are conducted in front-line treatment settings with the ultimate goal of enhancing communication and collaboration so that clinical practice is increasingly informed by scientific development.

back to top

Recently, neurologists and neurophysiologists have perfected a way to non-invasively stimulate the brain by applying magnetic stimulation to the scalp. This technique, known as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), can map brain functions as well as possibly treat neuropsychiatric diseases such as Parkinson's disease and depression. The MUSC Brain Stimulation Laboratory (BSL), located on the 5th Floor of the Institute of Psychiatry, performs both basic research studies using TMS, as well as using TMS in clinical trials.

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in the left cervical region is an approved technique for treating epilepsy. Approximately 11,000 people have VNS devices implanted for seizure control. In 1998, BLS researchers at MUSC were the first in the world to implant VNS devices in patients with major depression which had not adequately responded to traditional antidepressants. This multi-site open clinical trial showed promising results. The BSL recently completed enrollment in a follow-up multi-site double-blind clinical trial of VNS in refractory depression.

back to top

Psychiatric disorders are common in the elderly.  It is anticipated that the number of elderly with psychiatric conditions will increase to 15 million by 2030 (up from 4 million in 1970).  Currently, the field of geriatric mental health is witnessing an explosion of new information in both the clinical and research arenas.  Therefore, at MUSC we have developed a division charged with developing cutting edge research and generating innovative clinical concepts while being committed to treating a diverse population.  From the clinic— to the hospital—to the nursing home—to the research clinic, our faculty and staff are known both locally and nationally for their expertise in this field.  Additionally, our faculty and staff have interests in a variety of psychiatric conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, geriatric depression, and psychosis in the elderly.

back to top

The overarching purpose of the Family Services Research Center (FSRC), established in 1992, is to increase the effectiveness of the state and nation's mental health and substance abuse services for children, adolescents, and their families. The primary strategies used to further this purpose have been to conduct rigorous research on the development, validation, and dissemination of clinically effective and cost effective mental health and substance abuse services for youths presenting serious clinical problems and their families.  As such, FSRC projects have included numerous community-based randomized trials with challenging clinical populations (e.g., violent and chronic juvenile offenders, youths presenting psychiatric emergencies, substance abusing juvenile offenders, maltreating families), and dissemination studies for multisystemic therapy and other evidence-based treatments are being conducted in multiple states and nations. The FSRC has received the Annie E. Casey Families Count Award as well as the Points of Light Foundation President's Award in recognition of excellence in community service directed at solving community problems.

back to top

The Medical University of South Carolina's National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center (NCVC) is dedicated to improving the quality of mental health services provided both locally and nationally to victims of crime, abuse, and trauma.                                               

Services: The NCVC offers a variety of specialized, evidence-based assessment, intervention, and treatment services to adult and child victims of violent crime and their families, as well as victims of other forms of trauma, such as automobile accident, house fire, industrial accident, and natural disaster.

Research: The NCVC conducts research focused on investigating the impact of criminal victimization and trauma on adults, children, and their families. The goal of this research is to identify effective therapeutic interventions for those suffering victimization-related emotional and behavioral problems.

back to top

Extra weight is not a character flaw. It's a complex problem that can impair your health and quality of life. Our specialists at the MUSC Weight Management Center understand the complexity of weight loss. A team of psychologists, physicians, dietitians and exercise physiologists work together, using their diverse knowledge to help you reduce excess weight. And because MUSC is an academic medical center, patients benefit from the most current and safe weight management programs, medicines and advances through research.

We offer a number of programs to serve the different needs of different people.  However, all of our work with patients includes a strong emphasis on helping them to make the long-term lifestyle changes that are so important for success in the long run.