Anger and hostility in depression — brain and behavior
Neural and Behavioral Mechanisms of Angry Hostility in Depression
This project looks at how anger and hostile reactions show up in the brain and behavior of adults with depression to help guide better-targeted care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11309626 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers will recruit adults with depression who often feel angry or hostile and ask them about their emotions and daily functioning. Participants will complete behavioral tasks and likely have brain imaging (such as fMRI) to measure how emotion-processing and regulation circuits respond to provocation. The team will link lab measures to real-world aggressive behaviors and work or relationship problems over time. The goal is to define a usable subtype of depression tied to anger that could point to more precise treatment approaches.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (age 18 and older) with diagnosed depression who frequently experience anger, irritability, or hostile reactions and who are willing to complete behavioral testing and brain imaging are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without depressive disorder or those whose symptoms are primarily low mood or loss of interest without anger or irritability are less likely to match this research focus and may not benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments tailored for people with depression who struggle with anger and hostility, improving relationships and daily functioning.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked angry hostility to altered brain activity and disruptive behavior, but translating those findings into targeted treatments remains relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fournier, Jay C — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Fournier, Jay C
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.