Single-cell map of mood circuits in major depressive disorder
Official title: 1/2 Large-scale, single-cell characterization of molecular and cellular networks of mood regulation circuitry in major depressive disorder
Funded at Lieber Institute, INC. · NIH-11418004 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will map the tiny brain cells in mood-control areas to understand how genes and cell types relate to depression, with attention to ancestry and sex.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lieber Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 7, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,039,771 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH131817-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418004 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with major depressive disorder, with emphasis on diverse ancestry backgrounds and both sexes.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without depression are not the primary focus and may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project will create detailed, cell-by-cell gene expression profiles from brain regions known to regulate mood (ACC, BLA, and hippocampus) in people with major depressive disorder. By analyzing single-nucleus RNA data, researchers aim to link specific cell types and gene networks to depressive changes, including how ancestry and sex influence these patterns. The study uses postmortem brain tissue to generate a large, representative dataset that can guide future therapies targeting precise cell types. Results could help tailor treatments to individuals based on their genetic background and sex.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to more targeted interventions for depression that consider a patient’s ancestry and sex.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary single-cell brain studies have shown that cell-type–specific changes relate to mood disorders, supporting this approach as promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Lieber Institute, INC.
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hyde, Thomas Michael — Lieber Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Hyde, Thomas Michael
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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Mapping cell and gene changes in the brain linked to depression
Mapping genes and cell types in key mood-regulating brain regions from people with major depressive disorder, including diverse ancestries and both sexes.
-
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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How iTBS and a brain drug could boost brain wiring to help depression
A study tests whether a brain-stimulating treatment (iTBS) works by improving brain plasticity and whether adding a drug (DCS) enhances this effect for people with major depressive disorder.
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.