Jennifer Felger, PhD

Research Program

Cancer Prevention and Control
Phone Number

404-727-3987
Email Address

jfelger@emory.edu

Biography

Jennifer Felger, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Felger also is the laboratory director of the Emory Mind-Body Program. She studies the effects of inflammatory cytokines on neurotransmitters and neural circuits as they relate to behavioral change. She also collaborates with researchers at Winship Cancer Institute and Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing to examine molecular and cellular pathways of immune activation in cancer patients who experience behavioral change in response to treatment.

Dr. Felger is a member of the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

Education

Dr. Felger earned her PhD in Neuroscience from Emory University. She then continued her training in Neuroscience and Immunology as a postdoctoral fellow in the Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology at Rockefeller University.

Titles & Roles

Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Emory University School of Medicine

Research

Dr. Felger is currently exploring the role of dopamine in alterations in neurocircuitry associated with increased inflammation in patients with major depression using fMRI and continuing her translational work to better understand the underlying neural and metabolic pathways by which cytokines may affect dopamine and glutamate to mediate depressive symptoms. She is also involved in ongoing projects examining the molecular and cellular pathways of immune activation in patients with major depression and in cancer patients who experience behavioral change in response to therapy.

Grants

View Grants

Grant Number	Title
1R01MH128872-01	The Role of Inflammation in CNS Mechanisms of Anhedonia and Psychomotor Slowing in Depressed PWH as Determined using a Next Generation TNF Antagonist
5R01MH128872-02	The Role of Inflammation in CNS Mechanisms of Anhedonia and Psychomotor Slowing in Depressed PWH as Determined using a Next Generation TNF Antagonist
5R01MH128872-03	The Role of Inflammation in CNS Mechanisms of Anhedonia and Psychomotor Slowing in Depressed PWH as Determined using a Next Generation TNF Antagonist

Publications

Title/Journal	Authors	Publication Date
A randomized proof-of-mechanism trial of TNF antagonism for motivational deficits and related corticostriatal circuitry in depressed patients with high inflammation. Molecular psychiatry	MT Treadway, SM Etuk, JA Cooper, S Hossein, E Hahn, SA Betters, S Liu, AR Arulpragasam, BAM DeVries, N Irfan, MR Nuutinen, EC Wommack, BJ Woolwine, M Bekhbat, PA Kragel, JC Felger, E Haroon, AH Miller	09/17/2024
DNA methylation profiles of cancer-related fatigue associated with markers of inflammation and immunometabolism. Molecular psychiatry	C Xiao, G Peng, KN Conneely, H Zhao, JC Felger, EC Wommack, KA Higgins, DM Shin, NF Saba, DW Bruner, AH Miller	07/09/2024
A randomized proof-of-mechanism trial of TNF antagonism for motivational anhedonia and related corticostriatal circuitry in depressed patients with high inflammation. Research square	M Treadway, S Etuk, J Cooper, S Hossein, E Hahn, S Betters, S Liu, A Arulpragasam, B DeVries, N Irfan, M Nuutinen, E Wommack, B Woolwine, M Bekhbat, P Kragel, J Felger, E Haroon, A Miller	03/05/2024
C-reactive protein moderates associations between racial discrimination and ventromedial prefrontal cortex activation during attention to threat in Black American women. Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology	A Elbasheir, JC Felger, V Michopoulos, TD Ely, EC Wommack, SE Carter, NG Harnett, N Fani	02/01/2024
Longitudinal associations among physical activity, inflammatory markers, and quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer. Head & neck	S Huang, Y Zhan, S Jeon, DW Bruner, AH Miller, JC Felger, EC Wommack, NF Saba, KA Higgins, ML Irwin, RA Gary, C Xiao	08/01/2023
Cerebrospinal fluid levels of 5-HIAA and dopamine in people with HIV and depression. Journal of neurovirology	R Fu, H Jinnah, JL Mckay, AH Miller, JC Felger, EW Farber, S Sharma, N Whicker, RC Moore, D Franklin, SL Letendre, AM Anderson	08/01/2023
Associations of inflammation with neuropsychological symptom cluster in patients with Head and neck cancer: A longitudinal study. Brain, behavior, & immunity - health	Z Amirkhanzadeh Barandouzi, DW Bruner, AH Miller, S Paul, JC Felger, EC Wommack, KA Higgins, DM Shin, NF Saba, C Xiao	07/01/2023
Clinical response to EPA supplementation in patients with major depressive disorder is associated with higher plasma concentrations of pro-resolving lipid mediators. Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology	S Lamon-Fava, M Liu, BW Dunlop, B Kinkead, PJ Schettler, JC Felger, TR Ziegler, M Fava, D Mischoulon, MH Rapaport	05/01/2023
Inflammation-Related Functional and Structural Dysconnectivity as a Pathway to Psychopathology. Biological psychiatry	DR Goldsmith, M Bekhbat, ND Mehta, JC Felger	03/01/2023
Increased Inflammation and Treatment of Depression: From Resistance to Reuse, Repurposing, and Redesign. Advances in neurobiology	JC Felger	01/01/2023
Connecting the dots from east to west. Brain, behavior, & immunity - health	KW Kelley, J Felger, M Bekhbat	12/01/2022
Inflammation, amygdala-ventromedial prefrontal functional connectivity and symptoms of anxiety and PTSD in African American women recruited from an inner-city hospital: Preliminary results. Brain, behavior, and immunity	ND Mehta, JS Stevens, Z Li, N Fani, CF Gillespie, M Ravi, V Michopoulos, JC Felger	10/01/2022
Correction to: Functional connectivity in reward circuitry and symptoms of anhedonia as therapeutic targets in depression with high inflammation: evidence from a dopamine challenge study. Molecular psychiatry	M Bekhbat, Z Li, ND Mehta, MT Treadway, MJ Lucido, BJ Woolwine, E Haroon, AH Miller, JC Felger	10/01/2022
Functional connectivity in reward circuitry and symptoms of anhedonia as therapeutic targets in depression with high inflammation: evidence from a dopamine challenge study. Molecular psychiatry	M Bekhbat, Z Li, ND Mehta, MT Treadway, MJ Lucido, BJ Woolwine, E Haroon, AH Miller, JC Felger	10/01/2022
Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Major Depressive Disorder With High Inflammation: A Randomized Dose-Finding Clinical Trial. The Journal of clinical psychiatry	D Mischoulon, BW Dunlop, B Kinkead, PJ Schettler, S Lamon-Fava, JJ Rakofsky, AA Nierenberg, AJ Clain, T Mletzko Crowe, A Wong, JC Felger, L Sangermano, TR Ziegler, C Cusin, LB Fisher, M Fava, MH Rapaport	08/22/2022
The role of the immune system in posttraumatic stress disorder. Translational psychiatry	S Katrinli, NCS Oliveira, JC Felger, V Michopoulos, AK Smith	08/04/2022
Cellular and immunometabolic mechanisms of inflammation in depression: Preliminary findings from single cell RNA sequencing and a tribute to Bruce McEwen. Neurobiology of stress	M Bekhbat, GB Ulukaya, MK Bhasin, JC Felger, AH Miller	07/01/2022
Inflammation as a Pathophysiologic Pathway to Anhedonia: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications. Current topics in behavioral neurosciences	M Bekhbat, MT Treadway, JC Felger	01/01/2022
Influences of dopaminergic system dysfunction on late-life depression. Molecular psychiatry	WD Taylor, DH Zald, JC Felger, S Christman, DO Claassen, G Horga, JM Miller, K Gifford, B Rogers, SM Szymkowicz, BR Rutherford	01/01/2022
Transcriptomic signatures of psychomotor slowing in peripheral blood of depressed patients: evidence for immunometabolic reprogramming. Molecular psychiatry	M Bekhbat, DR Goldsmith, BJ Woolwine, E Haroon, AH Miller, JC Felger	12/01/2021
Epigenetic age acceleration, fatigue, and inflammation in patients undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer: A longitudinal study. Cancer	C Xiao, JJ Beitler, G Peng, ME Levine, KN Conneely, H Zhao, JC Felger, EC Wommack, CE Chico, S Jeon, KA Higgins, DM Shin, NF Saba, BA Burtness, DW Bruner, AH Miller	09/15/2021
Kynurenines increase MRS metabolites in basal ganglia and decrease resting-state connectivity in frontostriatal reward circuitry in depression. Translational psychiatry	X Chen, DJ Beltran, VD Tsygankova, BJ Woolwine, T Patel, W Baer, JC Felger, AH Miller, E Haroon	09/04/2021
Aiding and Abetting Anhedonia: Impact of Inflammation on the Brain and Pharmacological Implications. Pharmacological reviews	MJ Lucido, M Bekhbat, DR Goldsmith, MT Treadway, E Haroon, JC Felger, AH Miller	07/01/2021
Remembering Bruce S. McEwen - A tribute from psychoneuroimmunology. Brain, behavior, and immunity	FS Dhabhar, A Danese, JC Felger, AH Miller	05/01/2021
Special Issue: The intersection of inflammation and metabolism in neuropsychiatric disorders. Brain, behavior, and immunity	JC Felger, L Capuron	03/01/2021
Dose- and time-dependent increase in circulating anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving lipid mediators following eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation in patients with major depressive disorder and chronic inflammation. Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids	S Lamon-Fava, J So, D Mischoulon, TR Ziegler, BW Dunlop, B Kinkead, PJ Schettler, AA Nierenberg, JC Felger, KR Maddipati, M Fava, MH Rapaport	01/01/2021
Inflammation, reward circuitry and symptoms of anhedonia and PTSD in trauma-exposed women. Social cognitive and affective neuroscience	ND Mehta, JS Stevens, Z Li, CF Gillespie, N Fani, V Michopoulos, JC Felger	11/10/2020
Depression-free after Interferon-α exposure indicates less incidence of depressive disorder: A longitudinal study in Taiwan. Brain, behavior, and immunity	CF Sun, WC Chiu, PC Chen, HC Chang, TW Guu, S Shityakov, AH Miller, JC Felger, JP Chang, KP Su	08/01/2020
Gene signatures in peripheral blood immune cells related to insulin resistance and low tyrosine metabolism define a sub-type of depression with high CRP and anhedonia. Brain, behavior, and immunity	M Bekhbat, MT Treadway, DR Goldsmith, BJ Woolwine, E Haroon, AH Miller, JC Felger	08/01/2020
Protein and gene markers of metabolic dysfunction and inflammation together associate with functional connectivity in reward and motor circuits in depression. Brain, behavior, and immunity	DR Goldsmith, M Bekhbat, NA Le, X Chen, BJ Woolwine, Z Li, E Haroon, JC Felger	08/01/2020
Identifying Immunophenotypes of Inflammation in Depression: Dismantling the Monolith. Biological psychiatry	JC Felger, AH Miller	07/15/2020
What does plasma CRP tell us about peripheral and central inflammation in depression? Molecular psychiatry	JC Felger, E Haroon, TA Patel, DR Goldsmith, EC Wommack, BJ Woolwine, NA Le, R Feinberg, MG Tansey, AH Miller	06/01/2020
Association Among Glucocorticoid Receptor Sensitivity, Fatigue, and Inflammation in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer. Psychosomatic medicine	C Xiao, RC Eldridge, JJ Beitler, KA Higgins, CE Chico, JC Felger, EC Wommack, T Knobf, NF Saba, DM Shin, DW Bruner, AH Miller	06/01/2020
Associations among peripheral and central kynurenine pathway metabolites and inflammation in depression. Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology	E Haroon, JR Welle, BJ Woolwine, DR Goldsmith, W Baer, T Patel, JC Felger, AH Miller	05/01/2020
Inflammatory markers are associated with psychomotor slowing in patients with schizophrenia compared to healthy controls. NPJ schizophrenia	DR Goldsmith, N Massa, BD Pearce, EC Wommack, A Alrohaibani, N Goel, B Cuthbert, M Fargotstein, JC Felger, E Haroon, AH Miller, E Duncan	04/01/2020
Reward-related brain activity and behavior are associated with peripheral ghrelin levels in obesity. Psychoneuroendocrinology	VB Bogdanov, OV Bogdanova, S Dexpert, I Delgado, H Beyer, A Aubert, B Dilharreguy, C Beau, D Forestier, P Ledaguenel, E Magne, B Aouizerate, S Layé, G Ferreira, J Felger, G Pagnoni, L Capuron	02/01/2020
Inflammation and decreased functional connectivity in a widely-distributed network in depression: Centralized effects in the ventral medial prefrontal cortex. Brain, behavior, and immunity	L Yin, X Xu, G Chen, ND Mehta, E Haroon, AH Miller, Y Luo, Z Li, JC Felger	08/01/2019
Role of Inflammation in Depression and Treatment Implications. Handbook of experimental pharmacology	JC Felger	01/01/2019
Glucose and lipid-related biomarkers and the antidepressant response to infliximab in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Psychoneuroendocrinology	M Bekhbat, K Chu, NA Le, BJ Woolwine, E Haroon, AH Miller, JC Felger	12/01/2018
Inflammation negatively correlates with amygdala-ventromedial prefrontal functional connectivity in association with anxiety in patients with depression: Preliminary results. Brain, behavior, and immunity	ND Mehta, E Haroon, X Xu, BJ Woolwine, Z Li, JC Felger	10/01/2018
What's CRP got to do with it? Tackling the complexities of the relationship between CRP and depression. Brain, behavior, and immunity	JC Felger, E Haroon, AH Miller	10/01/2018
HIV and symptoms of depression are independently associated with impaired glucocorticoid signaling. Psychoneuroendocrinology	M Bekhbat, CC Mehta, SD Kelly, A Vester, I Ofotokun, J Felger, G Wingood, K Anastos, DR Gustafson, S Kassaye, J Milam, B Aouizerat, K Weber, ET Golub, MF Moore, R Diclemente, M Fischl, MC Kempf, P Maki, GN Neigh	10/01/2018
Increased inflammation and brain glutamate define a subtype of depression with decreased regional homogeneity, impaired network integrity, and anhedonia. Translational psychiatry	E Haroon, X Chen, Z Li, T Patel, BJ Woolwine, XP Hu, JC Felger, AH Miller	09/10/2018
Antidepressant treatment resistance is associated with increased inflammatory markers in patients with major depressive disorder. Psychoneuroendocrinology	E Haroon, AW Daguanno, BJ Woolwine, DR Goldsmith, WM Baer, EC Wommack, JC Felger, AH Miller	09/01/2018
Associations among human papillomavirus, inflammation, and fatigue in patients with head and neck cancer. Cancer	C Xiao, JJ Beitler, KA Higgins, T Glazer, LK Huynh, S Paul, JC Felger, EC Wommack, NF Saba, DM Shin, DW Bruner, AH Miller	08/01/2018
Imaging the Role of Inflammation in Mood and Anxiety-related Disorders. Current neuropharmacology	JC Felger	01/01/2018
Depressive symptoms and inflammation are independent risk factors of fatigue in breast cancer survivors. Psychological medicine	C Xiao, AH Miller, J Felger, D Mister, T Liu, MA Torres	07/01/2017
The Role of Dopamine in Inflammation-Associated Depression: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications. Current topics in behavioral neurosciences	JC Felger	01/01/2017
Inflammation Effects on Motivation and Motor Activity: Role of Dopamine. Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology	JC Felger, MT Treadway	01/01/2017
The Immunology of Behavior-Exploring the Role of the Immune System in Brain Health and Illness. Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology	AH Miller, E Haroon, JC Felger	01/01/2017
Therapeutic Implications of Brain-Immune Interactions: Treatment in Translation. Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology	AH Miller, E Haroon, JC Felger	01/01/2017
Editorial introduction: The effects of somatic disease and environmental insults on the stress response. Physiology & behavior	GN Neigh, JC Felger	11/01/2016
Interferon-alpha-induced inflammation is associated with reduced glucocorticoid negative feedback sensitivity and depression in patients with hepatitis C virus. Physiology & behavior	JC Felger, E Haroon, BJ Woolwine, CL Raison, AH Miller	11/01/2016
Conceptual convergence: increased inflammation is associated with increased basal ganglia glutamate in patients with major depression. Molecular psychiatry	E Haroon, CC Fleischer, JC Felger, X Chen, BJ Woolwine, T Patel, XP Hu, AH Miller	10/01/2016
Inflammation is associated with decreased functional connectivity within corticostriatal reward circuitry in depression. Molecular psychiatry	JC Felger, Z Li, E Haroon, BJ Woolwine, MY Jung, X Hu, AH Miller	10/01/2016
Inflammatory markers are associated with decreased psychomotor speed in patients with major depressive disorder. Brain, behavior, and immunity	DR Goldsmith, E Haroon, BJ Woolwine, MY Jung, EC Wommack, PD Harvey, MT Treadway, JC Felger, AH Miller	08/01/2016
Fatigue is associated with inflammation in patients with head and neck cancer before and after intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Brain, behavior, and immunity	C Xiao, JJ Beitler, KA Higgins, K Conneely, B Dwivedi, J Felger, EC Wommack, DM Shin, NF Saba, LY Ong, J Kowalski, DW Bruner, AH Miller	02/01/2016
Association of childhood trauma with fatigue, depression, stress, and inflammation in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Psycho-oncology	TJ Han, JC Felger, A Lee, D Mister, AH Miller, MA Torres	02/01/2016
A prospective study of quality of life in breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Advances in radiation oncology	C Xiao, AH Miller, J Felger, D Mister, T Liu, MA Torres	01/01/2016
Risk and Resilience: Animal Models Shed Light on the Pivotal Role of Inflammation in Individual Differences in Stress-Induced Depression. Biological psychiatry	JC Felger, E Haroon, AH Miller	07/01/2015
Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor improves sleep continuity in patients with treatment resistant depression and high inflammation. Brain, behavior, and immunity	JF Weinberger, CL Raison, DB Rye, AR Montague, BJ Woolwine, JC Felger, E Haroon, AH Miller	07/01/2015
Age-related increases in basal ganglia glutamate are associated with TNF, reduced motivation and decreased psychomotor speed during IFN-alpha treatment: Preliminary findings. Brain, behavior, and immunity	E Haroon, JC Felger, BJ Woolwine, X Chen, S Parekh, JR Spivey, XP Hu, AH Miller	05/01/2015
Levodopa reverses cytokine-induced reductions in striatal dopamine release. The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology	JC Felger, CR Hernandez, AH Miller	01/31/2015
Epigenetic changes associated with inflammation in breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. Brain, behavior, and immunity	AK Smith, KN Conneely, TW Pace, D Mister, JC Felger, V Kilaru, MJ Akel, PM Vertino, AH Miller, MA Torres	05/01/2014
The immune response to stress in orchestra musicians: setting the stage for naturalistic paradigms. Brain, behavior, and immunity	JC Felger	03/01/2014
Neurotherapeutic implications of brain-immune interactions. Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology	JC Felger, AH Miller	01/01/2014
Chronic interferon-α decreases dopamine 2 receptor binding and striatal dopamine release in association with anhedonia-like behavior in nonhuman primates. Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology	JC Felger, J Mun, HL Kimmel, JA Nye, DF Drake, CR Hernandez, AA Freeman, DB Rye, MM Goodman, LL Howell, AH Miller	10/01/2013
Inflammatory cytokines in depression: neurobiological mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Neuroscience	JC Felger, FE Lotrich	08/29/2013
Transcriptional signatures related to glucose and lipid metabolism predict treatment response to the tumor necrosis factor antagonist infliximab in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Brain, behavior, and immunity	D Mehta, CL Raison, BJ Woolwine, E Haroon, EB Binder, AH Miller, JC Felger	07/01/2013
Tyrosine metabolism during interferon-alpha administration: association with fatigue and CSF dopamine concentrations. Brain, behavior, and immunity	JC Felger, L Li, PJ Marvar, BJ Woolwine, DG Harrison, CL Raison, AH Miller	07/01/2013
Predictors of depression in breast cancer patients treated with radiation: role of prior chemotherapy and nuclear factor kappa B. Cancer	MA Torres, TW Pace, T Liu, JC Felger, D Mister, GH Doho, JN Kohn, AM Barsevick, Q Long, AH Miller	06/01/2013
Cytokine targets in the brain: impact on neurotransmitters and neurocircuits. Depression and anxiety	AH Miller, E Haroon, CL Raison, JC Felger	04/01/2013
Cytokine effects on the basal ganglia and dopamine function: the subcortical source of inflammatory malaise. Frontiers in neuroendocrinology	JC Felger, AH Miller	08/01/2012
Molecular signatures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells during chronic interferon-α treatment: relationship with depression and fatigue. Psychological medicine	JC Felger, SW Cole, TW Pace, F Hu, BJ Woolwine, GH Doho, CL Raison, AH Miller	08/01/2012
Early activation of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase is associated with interferon-alpha-induced depression and fatigue. Brain, behavior, and immunity	JC Felger, O Alagbe, TW Pace, BJ Woolwine, F Hu, CL Raison, AH Miller	08/01/2011

Awards

In 2020, Dr. Felger received the Emory 1% Award which recognizes Emory faculty whose National Institutes of Health (NIH) proposals have been ranked in the top 1% by NIH reviewers. She is also the recipient of a KL2 Scholarship through the Atlanta Clinical and Translational Science Institute and a 2014 NARSAD Young Investigator Award from the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation.