Improving treatment for older adults with resistant depression

Biotype-assigned Augmentation Approach in Resistant late life Depression (BAARD)

NIH-funded research Washington University · NIH-10954667

This study is working on a new tool to help doctors create better treatment plans for older adults with tough-to-treat depression, using information from past research and personal health details to find the best antidepressant options for each person.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWashington University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Saint Louis, United States)
Project IDNIH-10954667 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to enhance treatment options for older adults suffering from resistant late-life depression by developing a decision support tool called BAARD. The tool will utilize existing clinical trial data and various biological markers to personalize treatment plans, potentially improving the effectiveness of antidepressants. By analyzing data from approximately 700 participants, the research team will refine treatment strategies based on individual characteristics, including genetic and cognitive factors. This approach seeks to address the significant number of older adults who do not respond to standard antidepressant therapies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults diagnosed with major depressive disorder who have not responded to initial antidepressant treatments.

Not a fit: Patients with mild depression or those who have not yet tried any antidepressant medications may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options for older adults with resistant depression, improving their quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results in augmenting antidepressant treatments with additional medications, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Saint Louis, 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.
Conditions Affective Disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.