Investigating brain activity related to memory recall in families with major depression
Official title: Using fMRI of Autobiographical Memory Recall to Determine Risk and Resilience Endophenotypes in Familial Major Depressive Disorder
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10558686 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain reacts when people remember personal experiences to see if it can help predict who might develop depression, especially in young adults with a family history of the condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | April 12, 2019 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $529,656 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH116943-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10558686 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include young adults with a first-degree family member diagnosed with major depressive disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a family history of major depressive disorder or those already diagnosed with MDD may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how the brain's response during the recall of personal memories may indicate the risk or resilience to major depressive disorder (MDD) in individuals with a family history of the condition. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), participants will engage in memory tasks while their brain activity is monitored. The study will follow young adults with a first-degree relative diagnosed with MDD over two years to see if their brain activity patterns can predict the development of depressive symptoms. The findings could help identify individuals at risk for MDD and inform preventive strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early identification of individuals at risk for major depressive disorder and the development of targeted interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that brain activity patterns can be linked to depressive symptoms, suggesting this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Young, Kym — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Young, Kym
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Psilocybin-Assisted ACT for Co-Occurring Cocaine Use Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder
A new treatment combines psilocybin with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people who have both cocaine use disorder and major depressive disorder.
-
Single-cell study of mood-regulation brain circuits in depression
A large study will map which genes and cell types in mood-related brain circuits are linked to major depressive disorder, including differences by ancestry and sex.
-
Single-cell map of mood circuits in major depressive disorder
Researchers will map the tiny brain cells in mood-control areas to understand how genes and cell types relate to depression, with attention to ancestry and sex.
-
Making genetic research clearer to find genes linked to major depression
Researchers will use health records and genetic data to pinpoint genes that drive major depression, aiming to help people with depression get better-targeted treatments.
-
How iTBS and a brain drug could boost brain wiring to help depression
A study tests whether a brain-stimulating treatment (iTBS) works by improving brain plasticity and whether adding a drug (DCS) enhances this effect for people with major depressive disorder.
-
Portable, low-cost genetic test to guide antidepressant choices
This project is creating a small, affordable device that rapidly reads genes that affect how people with major depressive disorder process antidepressants to help choose safer, more effective medicines.
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.