Investigating how brain stimulation affects mental health through specific brain circuits
Official title: Prefrontal circuit mechanisms of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10809027 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a treatment called rTMS affects brain activity in a specific area linked to mental health, using a special rodent model, to help find better ways to treat conditions like depression and anxiety.
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 | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $195,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21MH133212-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10809027 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or other psychiatric conditions that may benefit from brain stimulation therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with neurological disorders unrelated to the prefrontal cortex or those who do not respond to rTMS may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the prefrontal cortex, a brain region involved in mental health. By using a specialized rodent model, the study aims to understand how rTMS influences the activity of different types of neurons in this area. The researchers will monitor changes in neural activity before, during, and after rTMS application to uncover the mechanisms behind its effects on mental disorders. This could lead to improved treatments for conditions like depression and anxiety.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and targeted treatments for various mental health disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with rTMS in treating mental health disorders, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wilke, Scott Allen — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Wilke, Scott Allen
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Noninvasive brain stimulation to reduce hyperexcitability in a Fragile X rat model
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High-frequency brain stimulation for trigeminal neuropathic pain
A large, multi-site trial tests a non-invasive brain stimulation method to relieve chronic facial nerve pain for adults who have not found relief from other treatments.
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Modulating how the brain processes thinking about others in autism with noninvasive brain stimulation
This project tests whether a noninvasive brain treatment (rTMS) can adjust brain activity linked to understanding others’ thoughts and feelings in adults with autism.
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Closed-loop prefrontal TMS guided by real-time EEG in primates
A study tests a brain-guided TMS approach that uses real-time EEG to tailor stimulation to the prefrontal cortex, starting in non-human primates with the goal of improving future treatments for psychiatric disorders.
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.