Yvonne Forsell
Professor Emeritus
E-mail: yvonne.forsell@ki.se
Visiting address: Solnavägen 1 E, 11365 Stockholm
Postal address: K9 Global folkhälsa, K9 GPH Möller, 171 77 Stockholm
About me
- Member in EPHIR - Epidemiology and Public Health Intervention Research [1].
Long clinical background in Psychiatry and Geriatrics.
My main current interest is physical exercise and the effects on the brain.
M.D., Specialist in Psychiatry and Geriatrics
[1] https://ki.se/en/gph/epidemiology-and-public-health-intervention-research-ephir
Research
*Psychiatric epidemiological studies and intervention studies*.
1. Regassa- RCT with internet based cognitive behavioural therapy, physical
exercise and treatment as usual for mild to moderate depression in primary
care. It was a collaboration between 6 Regions in Sweden, Lunds university
and KI. 946 patients were included.
2. Founder of the PART study- a longitudinal population based study aiming at
exploring risk and protective factors for mental health.
3. Since 2015 the *Fitforlife* study which aims at increasing functioning
(biological, cognitive and social) in persons affected by psychosis by
using physical exercise. Affected persons are educated as physical exercise
trainers and run sessions for fellow patients. 3 Regions in Sweden
and 16 units were involved. Currently an implementation study in Region Stockholm: all psychiatric outpatient units taking care of psychosis.
Collaboration with Center of Molecular Medicine with the aim of looking at
inflammatory markers and epigenetics.
Teaching
Teaching at Applied Epidemiology II: Main teaching areas; epidemiology,
psychiatric disorders, physical exercise.
Articles
- Journal article: AGING AND HEALTH RESEARCH. 2026;6(4):100299Spitzer J; Liang Y; Smart B; Rausch C; Forsell Y; Moller J
- Journal article: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS. 2026;16(1):33524Strid C; Lundin A; Forsell Y; Ojehagen A
- Journal article: EUROPEAN NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY. 2026;111:113389Belisle-Prada O; Naseri N; Wang H; Xiong Y; Pasman J; Khemiri L; Forsell Y; Du Rietz E; D'Onofrio B; Lu Y; Gong T; Yao S
- Journal article: PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS. 2026;6(3):100283Pegelow AC; Forsell Y
- Journal article: NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH. 2026;:1452-1462Tong L-F; Lu Y-Q; Li Q; Pan S; Li H; Jin A; Wu W-M
- Article: BMC RESEARCH NOTES. 2026;19(1):187Pegelow AC; Skott M; Ekblom O; Lavebratt C; Forsell Y
- Article: LIFE-BASEL. 2025;15(10):1637Forsell Y; Skott M; Bektash BY; Syvertsen A; Ekblom O; Lavebratt C
- Journal article: RESEARCH SQUARE. 2025Pegelow AC; Skott M; Ekblom Ö; Lavebratt C; Forsell Y
- Article: JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS. 2025;375:118-128Spulber S; Ceccatelli S; Forsell Y
- Article: PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH AND CLINICAL PRACTICE. 2025;7(1):44-52Ortmann J; Möller J; Forsell Y; Liang Y
- Article: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS. 2024;14(1):17566Cai W; Forsell Y; Lavebratt C; Melas PA
- Article: BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY. 2024;117:298-309Stiernborg M; Prast-Nielsen S; Melas PA; Skott M; Millischer V; Boulund F; Forsell Y; Lavebratt C
- Article: OBESITY FACTS. 2024;17(1):72-80Meyer E; Loennroth K; Forsell Y; Lagerros YT
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH. 2023;32(4):e1966Lundin A; Moller J; Forsell Y
- Article: GENES. 2023;14(9):1826Bornscheuer L; Lundin A; Forsell Y; Lavebratt C; Melas PA
- Article: NORDIC JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. 2023;77(6):574-580Hogstedt C; Forsell Y; Hayes JF; Torgen M; Svartengren M; Lundin A
- Article: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. 2022;32(6):913-918Raffetti E; Donato F; Triolo F; Andersson F; Forsell Y; Galanti MR
- Article: JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE. 2022;64(11):970-975Samuelsson J; Johansson G; Forsell Y; Moller J
- Article: APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL. 2022;12(13):6436Fu Y; Hu Y; Sundstedt V; Forsell Y
- Article: JAMA NETWORK OPEN. 2022;5(6):e2218178Chen H; Li J; Wei D; Rostila M; Janszky I; Forsell Y; Hemmingsson T; Laszlo KD
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All other publications
- Corrigendum: BMC PUBLIC HEALTH. 2026;26(1):346Borjesson M; Kristenson M; Jerden L; Forsell Y
- Review: BMC PUBLIC HEALTH. 2025;25(1):3288Borjesson M; Kristenson M; Jerdén L; Forsell Y
- Review: LAKARTIDNINGEN. 2024;121:23178Kristenson M; Börjesson M; Forsell Y; Jerdén L
- Preprint: MEDRXIV. 2024Cai W; Forsell Y; Lavebratt C; Melas P
- Preprint: MEDRXIV. 2024Spulber S; Ceccatelli S; Forsell Y
- Preprint: MEDRXIV. 2023Bornscheuer L; Lundin A; Forsell Y; Lavebratt C; Melas P
- Book chapter: BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES: COMMUNICATIONS IN COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE. 2023;p. 333-352Fu Y; Hu Y; Sundstedt V; Forsell Y
- Preprint: RESEARCH SQUARE. 2022Forsell Y; Liang Y; Burström B; Samuelsson J; Möller J
- Review: EUROPEAN SURGERY-ACTA CHIRURGICA AUSTRIACA. 2022;54(2):66-73Hoffsten J; Forsell Y
- Conference publication: HEALTHINF: PROCEEDINGS OF THE 15TH INTERNATIONAL JOINT CONFERENCE ON BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES - VOL 5: HEALTHINF. 2022;:201-210Fu Y; Hu Y; Sundstedt V; Forsell Y
- Conference publication: OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE. 2021;78(Suppl 1):a42Badarin K; Lundin A; Forsell Y
- Conference publication: PSYCHOSOMATIC MEDICINE. 2021;83(7):A53-A54Chen H; Li J; Wei D; Rostila M; Forsell Y; Janszky I; Hemmingsson T; Laszlo KD
- Review: JAMA PSYCHIATRY. 2021;78(4):361-371Karyotaki E; Efthimiou O; Miguel C; Bermpohl FMG; Furukawa TA; Cuijpers P
- Letter: SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH. 2021;228:316-318Lavebratt C; Stiernborg M; Kumar P; Yacaman-Mendez D; Skott M; Melas PA; Forsell Y
- Corrigendum: BMC PUBLIC HEALTH. 2019;19(1):1268Deleskog A; Ljung R; Forsell Y; Nevriana A; Almas A; Moller J
- Conference publication: JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH. 2018;15(10):S94-S95Nooijen C; Kallings L; Blom V; Ekblom O; Forsell Y; Ekblom M
- Review: CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW. 2018;63:80-92Karyotaki E; Ebert DD; Donkin L; Riper H; Twisk J; Burger S; Rozental A; Lange A; Williams AD; Zarski AC; Geraedts A; van Straten A; Kleiboer A; Meyer B; Ince BBU; Buntrock C; Lehr D; Snoek FJ; Andrews G; Andersson G; Choi I; Ruwaard J; Klein JP; Newby JM; Schroder J; Laferton JAC; Van Bastelaar K; Imamura K; Vernmark K; Boss L; Sheeber LB; Kivi M; Berking M; Tito N; Carlbring P; Johansson R; Kenter R; Perini S; Moritz S; Nobis S; Berger T; Kaldo V; Forsell Y; Lindefors N; Kraepelien M; Bjorkelund C; Kawakami N; Cuijpers P
- Study protocol: TRIALS. 2018;19(1):258Berglind D; Nyberg G; Willmer M; Persson M; Wells M; Forsell Y
- Conference publication: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. 2017;27:ckx187.132Rahman S; Engstrom K; Forsell Y
- Conference publication: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. 2017;27:356Safsten E; Galanti MR; Ramstedt M; Forsell Y
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Grants
- Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare1 July 2023 - 30 June 2027Research problem and specific questions: This project aims to contribute key knowledge for optimizing prevention, intervention, and care management of old-age depression by disentangling the complexities of this common and burdensome condition. Compared to earlier in life, old-age depression is characterized by distinct symptom patterns and a more complex clinical course, precipitating intricate care needs and increased healthcare use among older adults. The drivers of these complexities remain poorly understood, and we aim to conduct three interconnected sub-projects scrutinizing them. Specifically, we will: 1) investigate the role of psychosocial, behavioral, and socioeconomic determinants of diverse depressive symptom patterns and transitions between them2) assess health and survival consequences of different depressive symptom patternsand 3) evaluate healthcare utilization in people with old-age depression, focusing on complex and avoidable transitions across care settings.Data and method: Longitudinal data on more than 7,000 older adults from four population-based cohorts included in the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care (SNAC) and harmonized via the National E-Infrastructure for Aging Research (NEAR) will be used. We will exploit more than 20 years of already-collected follow-up data, gathered using shared instruments across cohorts. Multi-state transition models will be used to capture diverse shifts across depressive states (no depression, subsyndromal depression, major depression) and care settings (home, formal care, hospital, institution), as well as their associated determinants and consequences.Relevance and utilization: Depression in older adults is a cause of major distress for patients, their families, and the healthcare system. A better understanding of its fluctuating course is required to identify strategies promoting prevention, recovery, and care continuity. Planned in close connection with patient organizations and care provider networks, this project will bring about knowledge sought by multiple stakeholders, ensuring that older adults with depression experience old age with the dignity they deserve.Plan for project realization: The project will be carried out by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in geriatric mental health, epidemiology, and care sciences. Its results will be deployed through the National Association for Social and Mental Health (RSMH). Researcher salaries constitute key budgetary items.
- Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare1 December 2022 - 29 February 2024
- Swedish Research Council for Environment Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning1 December 2020 - 30 April 2022
- Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare1 January 2020 - 31 December 2023
- Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare1 December 2019 - 30 November 2024
- Swedish Research Council1 January 2019 - 31 December 2021
- YOGA TO IMPROVE WELLBEING AND PROMOTE HEALTHY AGEING AMONG OLDER ADULTS: RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALSwedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare1 August 2017 - 28 February 2022
- Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare1 December 2014 - 31 December 2018
- Swedish Research Council for Environment Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning1 January 2012 - 31 December 2017
- Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare1 January 2011 - 31 December 2016
- Swedish Research Council1 January 2011 - 31 December 2013
- Swedish Research Council1 January 2010 - 31 December 2011
Employments
- Professor Emeritus, Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, 2025-2026
- Specialist, Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, 2022-2024
- Adjunct Professor, Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, 2020-2022
- Adjunct Professor, Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, 2012-2020
- Professor, Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, 2011-2012
Degrees and Education
- Docent, Karolinska Institutet, 1999
Supervision
Supervision to doctoral degree
- Buse Bektash, 2024-
- Miranda Stiernborg, Exploring the gut microbiome in ADHD and schizophrenia spectrum disorder, 2024
- Linghua Kong, Prenatal metabolic risks for offspring neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, 2021
- Liu Yang, Exploring the gut-brain axis in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, 2020
- Yabin Wei, Novel mechanisms in depression: Focus on telomere biology and epigenetic regulation, 2015
- Andres Fandino Losada, Social environment and genetics as determinants of depression occurrence and its chronicity, 2013
- Philippe Melas, Depression: Genetic, epigenetic and DNA biobank studies, 2012
- Louise Sjöholm, Gene-environmental factors in depressive disorders with a focus on circadian genes, 2010