Impact of prenatal immune dysregulation on brain networks related to mood in major depression
Official title: Project 1: Impact of prenatal immune dysregulation on sex differences in brainstem connectivity with mood circuitry and neurovascular structure/function in Major Depression
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11301317 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how immune system changes before birth may influence brain networks tied to mood and mood disorders in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 9, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $638,651 |
| NIH project number | 2U54MH118919-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11301317 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+ years) with mood disorders or individuals at risk, with emphasis on sex differences and brainstem/mood circuitry.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without mood symptoms may contribute data but may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on how early immune factors might shape brain circuits involved in mood, to better understand major depressive disorder in adults. Researchers will study sex differences in brainstem and limbic regions linked to mood regulation and how these relate to neurovascular function. The work combines human data from adults and potentially animal models to explore sex-specific pathways that could be targeted by future treatments. The goal is to reveal shared mechanisms between depression and cardiovascular health to improve prevention and care for patients affected by MDD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Insights could lead to more personalized and effective treatments for major depression, especially considering sex differences and cardiovascular risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows sex differences in mood circuitry and autonomic regulation; this project aims to extend those findings to vascular and brainstem networks.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goldstein, Jill M — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Goldstein, Jill M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Sex differences in how respiratory-gated tVNS affects brain, mood, and heart health in major depression
A study at a major hospital will test whether a breathing-linked ear nerve stimulation helps mood and brain signals differently for men and women with major depression.
-
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.
-
Genetic factors behind alcohol and opioid use disorders and depression in veterans
A study using genetic data from veterans to understand how genes contribute to co-occurring alcohol use, prescription opioid use, and depression.
-
Global Deep Learning effort to predict depression treatment response
A patient-focused project uses AI on brain scans to predict who with major depression will respond to rTMS treatment.
-
Understanding immune dysfunction and social stress in veterans with depression
A study in U.S. veterans with major depressive disorder looks at how stress-related immune changes may be linked to depression and heart health.
-
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.
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.