Gunnar Morken

Gunnar Morken is a Professor and senior consultant in the Department of Mental Health at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and St. Olavs Hospital. His research focuses on bipolar disorder, chronotherapy, psychiatric epidemiology, and clinical interventions for mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and insomnia. He collaborates on studies involving genomic analysis, environmental factors (e.g., light exposure, UV radiation), and treatment efficacy evaluations.

Key research areas include genomic insights into bipolar disorder, the role of circadian rhythms in mental health, and clinical trials assessing therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia and exercise interventions for schizophrenia. His work spans both basic science (e.g., genetic studies) and translational research (e.g., hospital lighting design to improve sleep).

Publications highlight his contributions to understanding lithium response mechanisms, environmental influences on psychiatric disorders, and the design of clinical trials in acute psychiatric care. Morken’s interdisciplinary approach integrates neuroscience, epidemiology, and clinical practice to advance mental health treatments.