Lena Brundin
Laboratory
Behavioral Medicine
The laboratory of Dr. Lena Brundin investigates how inflammation in the periphery and central nervous systems contributes to neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, and psychiatric symptoms, such as depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts/behavior.
Inflammation can be caused by many different factors and generates a cascade of cytokines, chemokines and metabolites that have intricate effects on neurons and other brain cells. The details of how inflammation impacts the central nervous system are just beginning to be understood. In our studies, we seek to identify inflammatory changes and link them to neurological symptoms. Through this approach, we aim to find novel therapeutic strategies that target inflammation and improve treatment outcomes.
Recent News & Featured Publications
Learn More
Finding a home in biomedical research
The link between inflammation and depression
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Van Andel Institute and Western Michigan University Join the National Network of Depression Centers
Labrie V, Brundin L. Harbingers of mental illness—infections associated with an increased risk for neuropsychiatric illness in children. JAMA Psych.
Bay-Richter C et al. A role for inflammatory metabolites as modulators of the glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor in depression and suicidality. Brain Behav Immun.
Brundin L et al. The role of inflammation in suicidal behaviour. Acta Psychiatr Scand.
Our Impact
We’re raising thousands to save millions.
We’re turning hope into action for the millions of people around the world affected by diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s. Find out how you can help us make a difference.
- 141 peer-reviewed papers published in 2025, 74 of which were in high-impact journals
- 15 VAI-SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team clinical trials launched to date
- 10 clinical trials and related projects supported by VAI through the International Linked Clinical Trials Program
Lena Brundin, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Neurodegenerative Science
Areas of Expertise
Depression, suicide, inflammation, glutamate, perinatal depression, clinical studies, translational research
Biography
Dr. Lena Brundin earned her Ph.D. in neurobiology and her M.D. from Lund University, Sweden, where she specialized in clinical psychiatry and later attained the rank of associate professor. In 2012, she joined Van Andel Institute and Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in Grand Rapids, Mich. She is currently a professor in the Institute’s Department for Neurodegenerative Science.
Dr. Brundin’s research spans basic and clinical research, and focuses on the role of inflammatory mediators in psychiatric and neurological conditions, particularly the effects of the kynurenine metabolic pathway in depression and Parkinson’s disease. Her studies were among the first to indicate a role for inflammatory cytokines in suicidality, a finding that one day may help develop biomarkers for depression and suicide risk. She is currently the principal investigator on an R01-funded clinical trial that investigates the role of the kynurenine pathway in depressive patients with suicide risk. She also analyzes the potential of these metabolites as biomarkers and modulators of disease progression in Parkinson’s disease, funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Further, she pursues studies aimed at identifying triggers of these disorders, such as bacterial, parasitic and viral infections.
Ehraz Anis, Ph.D.
Clinical Study Coordinator/Postdoctoral Fellow, Brundin Laboratory
Tyce Cave
Lab Manager, Department of Neurodegenerative Science
Jamie Durst, B.S.
Senior Administrative Assistant II, Department of Neurodegenerative Science
Cameron Forton
Ph.D. Student, VAI Graduate School
Research Focus: Immunoregulatory tryptophan metabolites in gut-brain communication: Mechanisms of behavioral and immune modulation
Dahlya Kamarudin, M.S.
Ph.D. Student, VAI Graduate School
Research focus to be determined.
Shania Mittendorf
Assistant Research Technician, Department of Neurodegenerative Science
Qiong (Jade) Sha, Ph.D.
Research Scientist, Department of Neurodegenerative Science
Joshua Wierenga
Ph.D. Student, VAI Graduate School
Research Focus: A role for intestinal-derived peptide YY in modulating anxiety
