Broadband near infrared scan to study brain mitochondrial activity in bipolar disorder
Official title: Broadband Near Infrared Spectroscopy to Elucidate the Role of Cortical Brain Cytochrome C Oxidase Activity in the Pathophysiology of Bipolar Disorder
Funded at New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC · NIH-11288520 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small study will use a noninvasive brain scan to see if a mitochondrial signal differs in people with bipolar disorder compared with healthy volunteers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 8, 2026 |
| Project end | July 7, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $477,335 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH142900-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11288520 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with bipolar disorder and healthy volunteers of similar age and sex distribution.
✕Less likely to help
Participants without bipolar disorder may not directly benefit, though they contribute to comparative data.
What this research studies
This project uses broadband near-infrared spectroscopy (bNIRS) to measure cytochrome c oxidase activity in the brain as a marker of mitochondrial function in people with bipolar disorder. The researchers will compare brain signals between patients and healthy volunteers and examine how these signals relate to mood symptoms. They will also explore whether a blood-based measure of mitochondrial health in monocytes is linked to what they see in the brain. The study aims to deepen our understanding of the biology behind bipolar disorder and its depressive phase.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could pave the way for new biomarkers and targeted treatments that address brain energy and mitochondrial function in bipolar disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest differences in brain mitochondrial signals and blood mitochondrial health in bipolar disorder, with potential links to mood symptoms.
Where this research is happening
-
New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lan, Martin Joseph — New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
- Study coordinator: Lan, Martin Joseph
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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.