NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Foundation Models for Brain Imaging in Psychiatry

Official title: Foundation Models for Human Functional Neuroimaging with Applications to Psychiatric Disorders

Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11372161 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A large AI model will be trained on many brain scans and related data to help researchers understand ADHD, autism, and bipolar disorder.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionStanford University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Stanford, United States)
Project startJuly 14, 2025
Project endApril 30, 2030
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$2,766,722
NIH project number4RF1MH137325-02
Project IDNIH-11372161 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Individuals with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, or bipolar disorder whose brain imaging data are available for research use.

Less likely to help

Patients without access to brain-imaging data or participation in imaging studies may not directly benefit.

What this research studies

This project uses a single, powerful AI model trained on diverse brain-imaging data to uncover patterns in psychiatric conditions. It will combine foundation models with explanations to show how the model makes its decisions. Researchers will test the model on open brain-imaging datasets and link it with participants’ clinical information to identify markers and improve understanding of mental health conditions. The goal is to enable more accurate interpretations of brain data and support future clinical studies. Results could inform new approaches to diagnosis and personalized treatment in psychiatry.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from improved understanding of brain-based markers of psychiatric disorders, aiding diagnosis and guiding future therapies.

How similar studies have gone: Prior research shows promise in using large AI models for medical imaging, but applying foundation models to clinical brain data and psychiatry is still emerging.

Where this research is happening

  • Stanford University
    Stanford, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Menon, Vinod — Stanford University
  • Study coordinator: Menon, Vinod

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.