Exploring the brain mechanisms of depression in Parkinson's disease

Identifying and targeting the neural basis of depression in Parkinson's disease

['FUNDING_R01'] · YALE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11014387

This study is looking at how depression affects the brains of people with Parkinson's disease to find out what’s happening in their brains and help create better treatments for them.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorYALE UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11014387 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the unique neural mechanisms underlying depression in patients with Parkinson's disease (dPD). It aims to identify specific synaptic and network-level changes in the brain that contribute to depression, which often occurs before motor symptoms in Parkinson's. Using advanced imaging techniques like PET and fMRI, the study will compare brain activity and structure in individuals with dPD, those with Parkinson's without depression, individuals with major depressive disorder, and healthy controls. The goal is to uncover new treatment targets that could lead to more effective therapies for depression in Parkinson's disease.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who also experience symptoms of depression.

Not a fit: Patients with Parkinson's disease who do not experience depression or those with other unrelated mental health conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted treatments for depression in Parkinson's disease, improving quality of life for affected patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in identifying brain mechanisms related to depression, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.