Dr Jauhar’s research asks why people with bipolar disorder and psychosis differ in their illness, and in how they respond to treatment. His group combines molecular brain imaging, clinical studies and evidence synthesis, and works closely with NHS early intervention services in London.
Dopamine and the biology of psychosis and mood
Using PET imaging of the presynaptic dopamine system, Dr Jauhar led the first study to test the dopamine hypothesis across bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. His work has shown that people who respond to antipsychotic treatment differ in dopamine function from those who do not, that antipsychotics do not alter dopamine synthesis capacity, and that dopamine function differs between depressive and manic states in psychosis.
Key papers
- Jauhar S, et al. Dopamine and mood in psychotic disorders: an 18F-DOPA PET study. JAMA Psychiatry 2025.
- Jauhar S, et al. Determinants of treatment response in first-episode psychosis: an 18F-DOPA PET study. Molecular Psychiatry 2019.
- Jauhar S, et al. The effects of antipsychotic treatment on presynaptic dopamine synthesis capacity in first-episode psychosis. Biological Psychiatry 2019.
- Jauhar S, et al. A test of the transdiagnostic dopamine hypothesis of psychosis using PET imaging in bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia. JAMA Psychiatry 2017.
Early intervention in bipolar disorder
People with bipolar disorder often wait many years for a correct diagnosis, during a critical period of their lives. Dr Jauhar’s current work aims to identify bipolar disorder earlier, particularly within first-episode psychosis services, and to build the evidence needed to treat it well at this stage, including its effects on cognition and day-to-day functioning.
Key papers
- Jauhar S, et al. The case for improved care and provision of treatment for people with first-episode mania. The Lancet Psychiatry 2019.
- Kalfas M, Tröger A, et al. Sustained cognitive and functional effects of pro-cognitive interventions for bipolar disorder: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Journal of Affective Disorders 2026.
Treatment evidence, psychopharmacology and guidelines
Dr Jauhar’s evidence syntheses examine the treatments people with serious mental illness actually receive, from psychological therapies to antidepressants. He chairs the British Association for Psychopharmacology guideline on schizophrenia and the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ position statement group on bipolar disorder, and advises NICE on schizophrenia and psychopharmacology.
Key papers
- Kalfas M, et al. Incidence and nature of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry 2025. Senior author.
- Jauhar S, Johnstone M, McKenna PJ. Schizophrenia. The Lancet 2022. Seminar.
- Jauhar S, Cowen PJ, Browning M. Fifty years on: serotonin and depression. Journal of Psychopharmacology 2023.
- Gurillo P, Jauhar S, et al. Does tobacco use cause psychosis? Systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry 2015.
- Jauhar S, et al. Cognitive–behavioural therapy for the symptoms of schizophrenia: systematic review and meta-analysis with examination of potential bias. British Journal of Psychiatry 2014.
Opportunities
Prospective PhD students, clinical fellows and collaborators interested in bipolar disorder, psychosis or psychopharmacology are welcome to get in touch by email. A full list of publications is on Google Scholar and ORCID.