Alessandro Colasanti

Dr. Alessandro Colasanti is an Associate Professor in Biological Psychiatry (Clinical Neuroscience) at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, where he has been based since late 2016. He holds dual expertise in clinical psychiatry and academic research, with ongoing roles as a Consultant Psychiatrist in OpCourage (Sussex Partnership NHS Trust) and as Clinical Lead for the SPFT Immunopsychiatry Research Clinic, focusing on inflammation-related mood disorders.

His educational background includes a medical degree from the University of Milan (2004) and specialist training in Psychiatry completed in Milan and at the Maudsley Hospital in London. His academic journey includes postdoctoral and doctoral positions at Maastricht University (2005–2009), Imperial College London & Imanova/invicro (2009–2013), and King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) (2013–2016).

Dr. Colasanti's research centers on the biological mechanisms of affective disorders, employing multimodal brain imaging (quantitative MRI, MRS, PET) to study neurometabolic and neuroimmune dysregulations in depression and bipolar disorder. His work aims to identify novel treatment targets by understanding metabolic and inflammatory pathways in psychiatric conditions. Recent publications highlight his focus on breathwork, mitochondrial metabolism, methylene blue, and neuroinflammation.

The analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a strong trend toward translational neuroscience, integrating clinical observations with advanced neuroimaging and metabolic profiling. His work spans from mechanistic studies in bipolar disorder to feasibility trials of novel interventions like floatation-REST and high-ventilation breathwork, reflecting a commitment to innovative, evidence-based approaches in mental health.

• Neurometabolic Imaging in Mood Disorders
• Neuroimmune Mechanisms in Depression
• Clinical Applications of Breathwork
• Metabolic Biomarkers in Psychiatry
• Pharmacological Modulation of Inflammation
• Translational Research in Affective Neuroscience

Dr. Colasanti has secured significant research funding from the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, the Lily Foundation, and the Research Hub. These grants support investigations into mitochondrial disease phenotyping, brain oxygen metabolism in bipolar disorder, and decentralized science initiatives. His collaborative network includes researchers across neuroscience, immunology, and clinical psychiatry.

He is actively involved in mentoring and research supervision, though specific students are not listed. His lab and team focus on integrating clinical practice with cutting-edge research in immunopsychiatry and metabolic brain health, operating at the intersection of psychiatry, neurology, and physiology.