Mapping brain function to understand treatment-resistant depression
Official title: Precision Functional Mapping in Treatment-Resistant Depression
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11109849 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at treatment-resistant depression, which is a tough type of depression that doesn't get better with usual treatments, and it's trying to find clues in the brain that could help us understand it better and improve how we diagnose and treat it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00MH129616-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11109849 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression who have not responded to conventional therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with mild depression or those who have not yet undergone standard treatment options may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates treatment-resistant depression (TRD), a severe form of major depressive disorder that does not respond to standard treatments. The study aims to identify specific brain biomarkers using advanced functional neuroimaging techniques, which could help in understanding the underlying mechanisms of TRD. By applying novel methods for precise brain mapping, the research seeks to improve the accuracy of diagnosing and treating this challenging condition. The principal investigator will also focus on developing better behavioral assessments to complement the imaging findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using advanced neuroimaging techniques to identify biomarkers in other psychiatric conditions, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Laumann, Timothy Otto — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Laumann, Timothy Otto
Related research
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Precision brain mapping to understand hard-to-treat depression
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A study with people who have treatment-resistant depression will explore whether fragments of DNA circulating in blood can reflect how well electroconvulsive therapy works.
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.