Genetics of extreme depression treated with ECT
Official title: 1/2 Genetics at an extreme: an efficient genomic study of individuals with clinically severe major depression receiving ECT
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10926819 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking for genetic differences linked to very severe major depression in people receiving electroconvulsive therapy so doctors can better match treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2019 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH121542-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10926819 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with clinically severe or treatment-resistant major depressive disorder who have received, are currently receiving, or are planned to receive ECT are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with mild or moderate depression who are not candidates for ECT or those without a major depressive disorder diagnosis are unlikely to benefit from participating.
What this research studies
If you have very severe major depression and have had or are considering ECT, this project collects DNA and clinical information from people like you across centers worldwide. Scientists will compare genetic data to find variants tied to severe illness and to whether patients improve or have cognitive side effects after ECT. The aim is to find markers that could help identify who may need ECT and who is most likely to benefit. Participating may involve sharing medical records, providing a saliva or blood sample, and allowing researchers to use treatment and outcome data.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help clinicians predict who will benefit from ECT and shorten the time patients spend trying ineffective treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Large genome-wide studies have found many genetic links to depression, but focused genetics work on severely ill, ECT-treated patients is newer and may offer clearer signals.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zandi, Peter P. — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Zandi, Peter P.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Trans-Nordic look at extreme major depression genetics
A large genetics study is exploring what makes extreme forms of major depression unique, by studying many thousands of people and their DNA.
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Global Deep Learning effort to predict depression treatment response
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Understanding immune dysfunction and social stress in veterans with depression
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Risk pathways to major depression using big Danish and Swedish data
A large study using health and genetic data from Denmark and Sweden will help understand what genetic and environmental factors contribute to major depression across how people grow up.
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Understanding genetic and environmental pathways to major depression in Nordic health records
A large study will look at how genes and life experiences combine over time to influence major depression, using Danish and Swedish population data.
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.