Investigating how deep brain stimulation affects white matter in the brain

Establishing the anatomical and functional mechanisms of white matter deep brain stimulation

NIH-funded research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-10928228

This study is looking at a new way to use deep brain stimulation to help people with tough-to-treat neurological or mental health issues by focusing on the brain's white matter, and researchers are testing this on macaques to see how it affects mood and emotions over time.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-10928228 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research explores a new approach to deep brain stimulation (DBS) that targets white matter in the brain rather than specific areas. By studying macaques, the researchers aim to understand how stimulating certain white matter tracts can influence brain activity and potentially improve symptoms in individuals with treatment-resistant neurological or psychiatric disorders. The study will analyze both immediate and long-term effects of this stimulation on mood and emotional states, providing insights into the underlying mechanisms of this therapy.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from treatment-resistant neurological or psychiatric disorders, particularly those with severe mood disorders.

Not a fit: Patients with mild mood disorders or those who respond well to conventional treatments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for patients with severe mood disorders who do not respond to traditional therapies.

How similar studies have performed: While deep brain stimulation has been used in various contexts, this specific approach targeting white matter is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior research.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Affective DisordersAnxiety DisordersBrain Diseases
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.