Precision brain mapping to understand hard-to-treat depression
Official title: Precision Functional Mapping in Treatment-Resistant Depression
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11360699 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study using new brain-imaging methods to find reliable biomarkers in people with treatment-resistant depression.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R00MH129616-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11360699 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with treatment-resistant depression who have not responded adequately to usual treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without treatment-resistant depression or those unable to undergo advanced imaging may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project applies advanced, precise brain-imaging techniques to people whose depression has not responded to standard treatments. By focusing on specific brain regions and patterns, researchers aim to identify stable markers that reflect the illness state and its traits. The effort also includes training the investigator in working with this difficult patient group and integrating real-world behavioral assessments. The overall goal is to move toward personalized approaches that could guide future therapies for TRD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to better diagnosis and more targeted treatments for people with TRD.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary precision brain-imaging methods have shown promise in healthy individuals, with this project extending them to TRD.
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
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-
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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.