Single-cell study of mood-regulation brain circuits in depression
Official title: 2/2 Large-scale, single-cell characterization of molecular and cellular networks of mood regulation circuitry in major depressive disorder
Funded at Centre de Recherche de L'hopital Douglas · NIH-11421431 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Centre de Recherche de L'hopital Douglas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Montreal, Canada) |
| Project start | September 7, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $520,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH131818-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11421431 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with major depressive disorder or those at risk, whose brain tissue or clinical data can contribute to the study, especially across diverse ancestry groups and sexes.
✕Less likely to help
People with mood disorders who do not donate tissue or data, or whose samples do not meet study criteria, may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project examines the ACC, BLA, and hippocampus to identify cell types and gene pathways that change in depression at the single-cell level. It uses single-nucleus RNA sequencing on brain tissue from diverse individuals to capture ancestry- and sex-specific transcriptomic differences. The study aims to create a detailed map of molecular changes in mood-regulating networks that could point to new targets for treatment. Collaboration with an international site enables a large, representative sample of brain tissue from people with and without MDD. Findings may illuminate why depression burden is higher in certain populations and how sex influences brain biology in mood disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal precise molecular targets for new therapies and personalized approaches for mood disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Prior single-cell brain studies have shown meaningful cell-type–specific transcriptomic changes in mood disorders, supporting the potential for new discoveries.
Where this research is happening
-
Centre de Recherche de L'hopital Douglas
Montreal, Canada Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Turecki, Gustavo — Centre de Recherche de L'hopital Douglas
- Study coordinator: Turecki, Gustavo
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Single-cell map of mood circuits in major depressive disorder
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.
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Mapping cell and gene changes in the brain linked to depression
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Single-cell map of mood-regulating brain regions in depression
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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.