Mapping cell and gene changes in the brain linked to depression
Official title: 2/2 Large-scale, single-cell characterization of molecular and cellular networks of mood regulation circuitry in major depressive disorder
Funded at Centre de Recherche de L'hopital Douglas · NIH-11184481 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Mapping genes and cell types in key mood-regulating brain regions from people with major depressive disorder, including diverse ancestries and both sexes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Centre de Recherche de L'hopital Douglas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Montreal, Canada) |
| Project start | September 7, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $530,820 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH131818-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11184481 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with a history of major depressive disorder or families willing to donate brain tissue or clinical data, especially from diverse ancestries including African ancestry.
✕Less likely to help
People without MDD, those seeking immediate treatment changes, or those unable to donate brain tissue are unlikely to see direct short-term benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This project looks at individual brain cells from the anterior cingulate cortex, basolateral amygdala, and hippocampus to find gene changes tied to depression. It uses single-nucleus transcriptomics on a large and more diverse set of samples, with attention to genetic ancestry (including African ancestry) and sex. The team will compare cell types and gene networks within and between these regions to find which cells and connections are most altered in depressive states. Results aim to reveal biological targets and explain ancestry- and sex-related differences in disease burden.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify specific cell types and gene pathways that drive depression, guiding future targeted treatments or biomarkers.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier single-cell brain studies have found cell-type-specific gene changes in depression, but this project is larger and more focused on ancestry and sex differences.
Where this research is happening
-
Centre de Recherche de L'hopital Douglas
Montreal, Canada Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Turecki, Gustavo — Centre de Recherche de L'hopital Douglas
- Study coordinator: Turecki, Gustavo
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Single-cell study of mood-regulation brain circuits in depression
A large study will map which genes and cell types in mood-related brain circuits are linked to major depressive disorder, including differences by ancestry and sex.
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Single-cell map of mood circuits in major depressive disorder
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Single-cell map of mood-regulating brain regions in depression
Researchers will make a detailed cellular map of key brain areas that control mood to find molecular changes linked to major depression and how these vary by ancestry and sex.
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Researchers will use health records and genetic data to pinpoint genes that drive major depression, aiming to help people with depression get better-targeted treatments.
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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.