3 answers
Alana
Student
McGaheysville, Virginia
5
Questions
Updated
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When you are a psychiatrist, is there any chance that you will get to work with neurosurgeons on hypothesis testing?
I want to conduct many experiments and get far into research to find cures for personality and mood disorders and always had an interest in neurosurgery as well.
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3 answers
James Hanson
Pediatric Intensive Care Physician; Consultant
266
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
James’s Answer
Your question is fascinating. I am unaware of any research having been done between psychiatry and neurosurgery, but it makes a lot of sense that good research questions could be answered through such a collaboration. I think you should find opportunities to speak with both psychiatrists and neurosurgeons about their knowledge, experience, and suggestions for how one might successfully work on these important issues. As you go through the process of getting through college and medical school, continue to study these areas and refine your research ane experimental design abilities. Be certain to learn about how one does human subject research. Build a good understanding of statistics. Speak with experts on how to be a good grant writer so you may be able to obtain funding. Try to find a well-regarded professor who may be able to mentor you.
I hope (and expect) your work will really help many in the future.
I hope (and expect) your work will really help many in the future.
Vanessa Mandal
Medical Director
25
Answers
Rocklin
Updated
Vanessa’s Answer
Hi Alana
Here are 3 Career Paths Where Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and Neurosurgery Meet (in Research)
1. Brain & Mental Health Research Scientist
What they study: How brain cells, circuits, and chemicals affect emotions, thinking, and mental illness.
Who they work with: Psychiatrists (mental health), neuroscientists (brain science), and neurosurgeons (brain procedures).
What to study:
College majors: Neuroscience, Psychology, Biology
Grad school: PhD or MD‑PhD
Why it matters: Helps turn science discoveries into better treatments for depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia.
2. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Research Specialist
What they study: Using implanted brain devices to treat severe depression, OCD, or Parkinson’s.
Who they work with: Neurosurgeons implant devices; psychiatrists track mental health changes.
What to study:
Engineering, Neuroscience, or Pre‑Med
Medical school + psychiatry or neurosurgery training (or PhD research route)
Why it matters: Combines technology with compassion to help people who haven’t improved with medication alone.
3. Brain Imaging & Behavior Researcher
What they study: Brain scans (MRI, fMRI) to understand emotions, learning, trauma, and behavior.
Who they work with: Psychiatrists define symptoms; neurosurgeons explain brain anatomy.
What to study:
Neuroscience, Psychology, Biomedical Engineering
Graduate training in research
Why it matters: Shows how thoughts, feelings, and the brain connect.
You don’t have to choose everything now. Curiosity, empathy, teamwork, and respect for others matter just as much as grades—and they’re what make these careers meaningful.
Here are 3 Career Paths Where Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and Neurosurgery Meet (in Research)
1. Brain & Mental Health Research Scientist
What they study: How brain cells, circuits, and chemicals affect emotions, thinking, and mental illness.
Who they work with: Psychiatrists (mental health), neuroscientists (brain science), and neurosurgeons (brain procedures).
What to study:
College majors: Neuroscience, Psychology, Biology
Grad school: PhD or MD‑PhD
Why it matters: Helps turn science discoveries into better treatments for depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia.
2. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Research Specialist
What they study: Using implanted brain devices to treat severe depression, OCD, or Parkinson’s.
Who they work with: Neurosurgeons implant devices; psychiatrists track mental health changes.
What to study:
Engineering, Neuroscience, or Pre‑Med
Medical school + psychiatry or neurosurgery training (or PhD research route)
Why it matters: Combines technology with compassion to help people who haven’t improved with medication alone.
3. Brain Imaging & Behavior Researcher
What they study: Brain scans (MRI, fMRI) to understand emotions, learning, trauma, and behavior.
Who they work with: Psychiatrists define symptoms; neurosurgeons explain brain anatomy.
What to study:
Neuroscience, Psychology, Biomedical Engineering
Graduate training in research
Why it matters: Shows how thoughts, feelings, and the brain connect.
You don’t have to choose everything now. Curiosity, empathy, teamwork, and respect for others matter just as much as grades—and they’re what make these careers meaningful.
Alexander Verma
Physician - neurologist
13
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Alexander’s Answer
Hi Alana,
Most psychiatrists do not interact with neurosurgeons very frequently, if at all. The majority of treatments for psychiatric disorders are either talk therapy, medications, or sometimes electroconvulsive therapy which is usually performed by technicians under the supervision of a psychiatrist. That being said, there has been some interest in using deep brain stimulation (DBS) for disorders like treatment-resistant depression or OCD. Most of the patients I've seen with a DBS had it placed for essential tremor or Parkinson's, but then again I'm a neurologist and not a psychiatrist. I think that as time goes on there will be more patients who get these devices for mood disorders. How often you as a psychiatrist will get to see this will depend on where you train and work. Some hospitals will be more eager to adopt this than others.
Psychiatry is a field that is very amenable to research. I hope you find what you're looking for as your career goes forward!
Most psychiatrists do not interact with neurosurgeons very frequently, if at all. The majority of treatments for psychiatric disorders are either talk therapy, medications, or sometimes electroconvulsive therapy which is usually performed by technicians under the supervision of a psychiatrist. That being said, there has been some interest in using deep brain stimulation (DBS) for disorders like treatment-resistant depression or OCD. Most of the patients I've seen with a DBS had it placed for essential tremor or Parkinson's, but then again I'm a neurologist and not a psychiatrist. I think that as time goes on there will be more patients who get these devices for mood disorders. How often you as a psychiatrist will get to see this will depend on where you train and work. Some hospitals will be more eager to adopt this than others.
Psychiatry is a field that is very amenable to research. I hope you find what you're looking for as your career goes forward!