Detailed brain mapping for bipolar disorder and major depression
Large-scale fine mapping of brain morphometry in bipolar disorder and major depression
Researchers are using thousands of MRI scans to map fine-grained brain structure differences in people with bipolar disorder and major depression compared with people without these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11512325 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project combines MRI scans and clinical data collected around the world to create very large groups of people with bipolar disorder, major depression, and healthy controls. Scientists will use a voxel-wise brain mapping method (ENIGMA-VBM) that looks at tiny 3D pieces of the whole brain, including often-overlooked areas like the cerebellum. The work uses both pooled (mega) and federated meta-analysis approaches so sites can contribute data while maintaining local control. The goal is to find consistent, focal brain patterns linked to illness and clinical features across many populations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people diagnosed with bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder who can provide MRI scans and clinical information through a participating site or research center.
Not a fit: People without mood disorders or those seeking a direct treatment or immediate clinical benefit are unlikely to gain personal health benefits from this mapping project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to reliable brain markers that help improve diagnosis, track illness features, or guide future treatments for mood disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Previous ENIGMA work using regional brain measures has produced reproducible findings across large samples, while this voxel-wise, whole-brain mapping approach is newer but builds on that consortium's prior successes.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ching, Christopher — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Ching, Christopher
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.