Investigating biomarkers of depression after acute illness
Official title: Neurochemical and inflammatory biomarkers of the trajectory of depressive symptoms after acute illness
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10558617 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how people might feel depressed after having a stroke, and it wants to find out if certain chemicals in the body can help predict who might experience these feelings, so we can create better ways to help them feel better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $195,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21MH127520-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10558617 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced an acute ischemic stroke and are at risk of developing depressive symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced an acute illness or those with pre-existing severe mental health disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how depressive symptoms develop after acute illnesses like ischemic stroke. It aims to identify specific neurochemical and inflammatory biomarkers that can predict the trajectory of these symptoms. By measuring levels of certain neurometabolites and inflammation markers, the study seeks to uncover the mechanisms behind depression in these patients. This knowledge could help in developing targeted treatments to prevent the onset of major depression following acute illness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies for depression in patients recovering from acute illnesses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in identifying relationships between neurochemical changes and depression, but this study's simultaneous approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brooks, John O — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Brooks, John O
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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.