Multimodal brain imaging to understand glutamate and memory in suicidal thoughts
Official title: Multimodal MRI Assessment ofNeurotransmitter-Specific andFunctional Circuitry Related toAutobiographical Memories andLaboratory Stress
Funded at New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC · NIH-11349214 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research team will use advanced brain imaging and real-world mood data to learn how glutamate and memory patterns relate to suicide risk and depression, with the goal of better identifying and helping people at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $347,601 |
| NIH project number | 1P50MH139573-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11349214 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults at risk for suicide or with depression who can participate in multimodal MRI procedures and daily diary reporting.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals with contraindications to MRI or those unable to complete daily reporting may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses multimodal MRI and spectroscopic imaging to study glutamate biology and brain circuitry tied to autobiographical memories and stress, along with daily life reports to capture real-world experiences. Researchers will analyze how stress, negative feelings, pain responses, and memory distortions interact and contribute to suicidality, using neural patterns and language models to characterize memory content. By following participants in their everyday environment, the study aims to identify biomarkers and neural signatures associated with high suicide risk so that future interventions can be targeted.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to better prediction of suicide risk and new ways to intervene by targeting brain chemistry and memory processes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown links between glutamate, mood disorders, and memory; this study combines these elements in a novel, real-world approach.
Where this research is happening
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New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Davachi, Lila — New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
- Study coordinator: Davachi, Lila
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.