Exploring how social rewards can help treat depression in older adults
Positive valence systems engagement during social reward exposure psychotherapy for mid- and late-life depression
This study is exploring a new type of therapy called 'Engage' that helps older adults with depression by encouraging social interactions and positive experiences, and it uses brain scans to see how these activities can improve mood and brain function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10883686 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing personalized psychotherapy techniques for mid- and late-life depression by engaging specific behavioral and neural targets. The approach involves a therapy called 'Engage,' which emphasizes social interactions and reward exposure to enhance emotional well-being. By using functional MRI, the study aims to identify how these social rewards can improve brain connectivity and behavioral activation, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes for older adults suffering from depression.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing mid- to late-life depression who may benefit from innovative psychotherapy approaches.
Not a fit: Patients with depression not related to social interactions or those who do not respond to psychotherapy may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized treatments for depression in older adults, improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary studies have shown promising results with similar approaches, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Solomonov, Nili — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Solomonov, Nili
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.