Investigating how ketamine affects depression-related symptoms using advanced MRI technology
Official title: Neural Circuit-Specific Mechanisms of Ketamine's Effect on Anhedonia and Anxiety in Depression Using Ultra-High Field 7-Tesla MRI
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11078253 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how ketamine helps people with depression feel better, especially when it comes to feeling joy and managing anxiety, by using advanced brain scans to see how certain parts of the brain work in adults with depression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 21, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $651,038 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH134045-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11078253 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are experiencing symptoms of depression, particularly anhedonia and anxiety.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have depression or those under 21 years old may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to explore the specific neural mechanisms by which ketamine alleviates symptoms of depression, particularly anhedonia and anxiety. Using ultra-high field 7-Tesla MRI, the study will examine the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) in adults with depression to understand how different circuits within this area contribute to various symptoms. By comparing findings from both human participants and non-human primates, the research seeks to identify targeted therapeutic approaches that could improve treatment outcomes for individuals suffering from depression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for depression by identifying specific neural circuits that can be targeted with therapies like ketamine.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of ketamine on depression, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Murrough, James Warren — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Murrough, James Warren
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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.