Brain reward system changes in depression
Neuroimaging Studies of Reward Processing in Depression
['FUNDING_R37'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE · NIH-11313000
This work uses brain scans and blood tests to look at how reward processing and related inflammation differ in people with current or past major depression.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R37'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (IRVINE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11313000 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you join, you would receive PET and fMRI brain scans using a new tracer that targets Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (NOP) receptors while completing tasks about reward. We will also collect blood to study stress-related inflammatory gene activity and link those measures to symptoms like anhedonia. Some participants will be currently unmedicated and others will be remitted from depression, and everyone will be followed over time without changing their regular care to see how brain and molecular markers map onto mood changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with current unmedicated major depressive disorder or adults with past MDD in remission who can undergo PET/MRI scanning and routine blood draws are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate changes to their treatment, those unable to undergo PET/MRI (for example, pregnancy, breastfeeding, certain implanted metal devices, or severe medical illness), or those who cannot stop antidepressant medication may not receive direct benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify biomarkers that predict persistent anhedonia and point to new treatment targets such as NOP receptors.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked cortico-striatal circuit abnormalities and inflammation to depression and shown promise for molecular PET markers, but applying a novel NOP PET tracer to MDD and linking it with inflammatory transcription profiles is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
IRVINE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE — IRVINE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PIZZAGALLI, DIEGO A — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE
- Study coordinator: PIZZAGALLI, DIEGO A
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.