Resistance Exercise to Help Major Depression: How Cerebral Blood Flow Changes Could Personalize Treatment
Official title: Resistance Exercise to Treat Major Depression via Cerebrovascular Mechanisms: Confirming Efficacy and Informing Precision Medicine
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11099946 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests whether a resistance exercise program can ease major depression by boosting brain blood flow and whether this approach can be tailored to individuals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | June 22, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $702,756 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH130566-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11099946 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 and older with major depressive disorder who are able to participate in a structured exercise program.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals unable to engage in resistance exercise or with conditions contraindicating exercise may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores whether resistance exercise training can reduce depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder by improving cerebral blood flow. It will examine the biological mechanisms behind exercise and depression and how changes in brain blood flow relate to mood improvements. The team plans to use data-driven methods to identify predictors of who benefits most and how adherence affects outcomes. The study is designed to inform precision medicine approaches so future treatments can be personalized. Participants will engage in a supervised exercise program and contribute data to understand both symptoms and brain mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to a personalized exercise-based treatment option for depression with a clearer understanding of who is most likely to benefit.
How similar studies have gone: Prior small studies suggest resistance exercise can reduce depressive symptoms, with promising signals that require confirmation in larger, mechanism-focused trials.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meyer, Jacob D — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Meyer, Jacob D
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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.