Investigating how brain activity in the basal ganglia relates to depression in Parkinson's disease
Official title: Basal Ganglia Network Neurophysiology of Depression in Parkinson’s Disease
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11054125 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how depression affects the brains of people with Parkinson's disease to find better ways to help them feel better, especially through a treatment called deep brain stimulation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | February 5, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $112,158 |
| NIH project number | 1K99NS137249-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054125 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who are also experiencing symptoms of depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with Parkinson's disease who do not have depressive symptoms may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the relationship between depression and Parkinson's disease (PD) by examining the neural activity in the basal ganglia, a brain region involved in movement and mood regulation. The study aims to identify specific brain signals and networks that are altered in PD patients with depression, which could help tailor deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy to improve depressive symptoms. By comparing the brain activity of PD patients with and without depression, the researchers hope to uncover patterns that could lead to more effective treatments. The approach includes advanced brain mapping techniques and computational modeling to analyze the data collected from participants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for depression in Parkinson's disease, enhancing the quality of life for affected patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the neurophysiology of depression in other contexts, but this specific approach targeting the basal ganglia in Parkinson's disease is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Kara Ann — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Kara Ann
Related research
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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.