Investigating how cytomegalovirus infection affects brain changes and depression.
Official title: Cytomegalovirus, Brain Alterations, and Depression: Decoding Neuroinflammatory Pathways for Effective Intervention
Funded at Laureate Institute for Brain Research · NIH-11091576 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV) might be linked to depression by seeing if it causes inflammation in the brain, and it's for anyone interested in understanding how infections could affect mental health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Laureate Institute for Brain Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tulsa, United States) |
| Project start | May 17, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $156,811 |
| NIH project number | 5K01MH136403-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11091576 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been diagnosed with depression and may have a history of cytomegalovirus infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of cytomegalovirus infection or do not experience depressive symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the connection between cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and depression by examining how CMV may cause neuroinflammation, which could lead to changes in brain structure and function. The study will utilize blood tests to check for CMV antibodies, advanced brain imaging techniques to assess brain integrity, and behavioral assessments to identify depression in participants. By analyzing data from a large biobank, the research aims to uncover the neurobiological pathways linking CMV infection to increased depression risk, potentially leading to new intervention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early identification and targeted interventions for individuals at risk of depression due to CMV infection.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated a link between viral infections and neuroinflammation in relation to depression, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Laureate Institute for Brain Research
Tulsa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zheng, Haixia — Laureate Institute for Brain Research
- Study coordinator: Zheng, Haixia
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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.