Todd D. Gould, MD

Dr. Gould obtained his MD degree from the University of Virginia, and completed fellowship training at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Laboratory of Molecular Pathophysiology and Experimental Therapeutics. His postdoctoral training encompassed molecular, cellular, and behavioral approaches used in translational neuroscience research, and specific studies largely focused on understanding how lithium exerts its mood stabilizing effects.  

Work in Dr. Gould's laboratory utilizes genetic, behavioral, pharmacological, electrophysiological, and photometric approaches to investigate the pathophysiology of mood disorders, as well to advance knowledge of antidepressant drug mechanisms. Of particular interest are mechanisms of rapid-acting antidepressant drugs and neuromodulation strategies. In addition to studies to define the pharmacological action of existing drugs, there are drug discovery and development efforts and focus on improved preclinical models for applications to psychiatry, the functional consequences of mood disorder susceptibility genes, and collaborative translational studies with clinically focused research groups. We aim to further understand the underlying causes of mood disorders, and to assess the feasibility of novel treatment strategies, anticipating that an improved understanding of the underlying biology of mood disorders will lead to earlier interventions and new treatments.

Antidepressant Pharmacology, Ketamine, Hydroxynorketamine, Lithium, Depression, Bipolar Disorder

Brown KA, Morris PJ, Thomas CJ, Gould TD (2026) A time-sensitive plasticity distinguishes the rapid and sustained synaptic actions of ketamine from its (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine metabolite. Journal of Neuroscience. 

Brown KA, Ajibola MI, Medeiros GC, Gould TD (2025) Synaptic priming: a framework for pharmacotherapy in depression. Neuron. 113, 3722-3740.

Riggs LM, Aronson S, Mou TCM, Pereira EFR, Thompson SM, Gould TD (2025). Bioactive ketamine metabolite exerts in vivo neuroplastogenic effects to improve hippocampal function in a treatment-resistant depression model. Cell Reports. 44, 115743.

Georgiou P, Postle AF, Mou TCM, Potter LE, An X, Zanos P, Patton MS, Pultorak KJ, Clark SM, Ngyuyen V, Powels CF, Prokai-Tatrai K, Kirmizis A, Merchenthaler I, Prokai L, McCarthy MM, Mathur BN, Gould TD (2025) Estradiol, via estrogen receptor β signaling, mediates stress-susceptibility in the male brain. Molecular Psychiatry. 30, 4445-4459.

Medeiro GC, Demo I, Goes FS, Zarate CA Jr, Gould TD (2024) Personalized use of ketamine and esketamine for treatment-resistant depression. Translational Psychiatry. 14, 481.

Georgiou P, Zanos P, Mu TM, Gerhard DM, Highland JN, Jenne CE, Stewart BW, Pultorak K, Loesch D, Yuan P, Clark SM, Tonelli LH, Moaddel R, Zarate CA, Duman RS, Thompson SM, Gould TD (2022) Experimenters’ sex modulates mouse behaviors and neural responses to ketamine via corticotropin releasing factor. Nature Neuroscience.25, 1191-1200.

Zanos P, Highland JN, Stewart BW, Georgiou P, Jenne CE, Lovett J, Morris PJ, Thomas CJ, Moaddel R, Zarate CA, Gould TD (2019) (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine exerts mGlu2 receptor-dependent antidepressant actions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS). 116, 6441-6450.

Zanos P, Moaddel R, Morris PJ, Georgiou P, Fischell J, Elmer GI, Alkondon M, Yuan P, Pribut HJ, Singh NS, Dossou KSS, Fang Y, Huang XP, Mayo CL, Wainer IW, Albuquerque EX, Thompson SM, Thomas CJ, Zarate  CA Jr., Gould TD (2016) NMDAR-independent antidepressant actions of ketamine metabolites. Nature. 533, 481-486.