Neural rhythm markers to tailor mental health care in a rat model
Official title: Evaluating the potential of neural oscillation biomarkers in a rodent model of intervention outcome variation: Toward personalized mental health care
Funded at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic · NIH-11401812 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in rats tests whether brain wave patterns can predict how different interventions will affect behavior, with the goal of guiding personalized mental health treatments in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lebanon, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,148,958 |
| NIH project number | 4RF1MH134141-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401812 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or borderline personality disorder who might benefit from tailored interventions could be future candidates in follow-up human studies.
✕Less likely to help
The current rat-focused study does not involve people and will not directly benefit patients.
What this research studies
Researchers will use rats that show varied responses to treatments like brain stimulation, drugs, and chemogenetics to see if specific neural oscillations predict how well an intervention works. By recording brain activity during tasks related to decision making, they aim to link oscillation patterns to future outcomes across individuals. This is a proof-of-concept study designed to translate insights about brain rhythms into more personalized approaches for mental health care. The work builds on prior data showing behavioral variation and intervention effects differ by individual and sex in an outbred rat strain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could pave the way for personalized mental health treatments guided by brain activity patterns.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows heterogeneous responses to interventions in animals, supporting the concept that neural biomarkers could guide personalized care.
Where this research is happening
-
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic
Lebanon, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Doucette, Wilder T — Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic
- Study coordinator: Doucette, Wilder T
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
An integrated mobile health program to reduce SAVA and mental health problems among female sex workers in Kenya
A new mobile health program aims to help female sex workers in Kenya avoid substance abuse, violence, HIV, and depression by delivering group therapy, online resources, and a peer discussion space.
-
Adolescent girls in Uganda: a long-term look at how money empowerment and family support affect HIV prevention, care, and mental health
A long-term study in rural Uganda will test whether an intervention that combines economic empowerment and family strengthening can help HIV-negative and HIV-affected adolescent girls move safely into young adulthood.
-
Long-term HIV prevention and mental health support for adolescent girls and young women in Uganda
A long-term program in rural Uganda tests if combining economic support and family strengthening helps teenage girls stay HIV-free and improve mental health as they grow into young adults.
-
Johns Hopkins Total Worker Health Center focusing on mental health
A nationwide center at Johns Hopkins is working to improve mental health and well-being among workers by studying workplace health strategies and translating findings into practical tools.
-
Maternal mental health help to protect kids’ breathing health
A mother-focused mental health program is tested to see if improving moms’ mood can also support better breathing and fewer asthma symptoms in children.
-
SNEngage: How Social Networks and Supports Shape Mental Health Care for Black and Latino Individuals with Serious Mental Illness
A long-term study following Black and Latino individuals with serious mental illness to learn how their social networks affect engagement with mental health services and overall well-being.
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.