Synaptic changes in mood disorders and suicide risk
Official title: Synaptic and glutamatergicalterations in mood disorders andsuicide behavior
Funded at New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC · NIH-11349215 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies brain Synapse signals in people with mood disorders, including those with a recent suicide attempt, to understand what changes are linked to suicide risk and how ketamine might work.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $695,612 |
| NIH project number | 1P50MH139573-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11349215 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with mood disorders who have or have not recently attempted suicide, and healthy volunteers for comparison.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without mood disorders or suicidal history may contribute data but are less likely to directly benefit.
What this research studies
If you have a mood disorder, this research looks at brain synapses using PET scans to see how synapse density and function differ in those with and without recent suicide attempts, compared with healthy volunteers. The study will measure these synaptic markers and then repeat a key measure after ketamine administration to explore how it may alter synaptic activity. Researchers will connect these brain findings to intermediate traits that might predispose someone to suicidal behaviors, focusing on stress response and brain circuitry related to emotion and memory. The project uses advanced imaging and aims to clarify how ketamine’s rapid antidepressant effects relate to synaptic changes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify brain changes linked to suicide risk and inform targeted treatments that more effectively reduce suicide risk and improve mood.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data show SV2A and mGluR5 markers relate to depression severity and ketamine response, supporting the potential for meaningful findings.
Where this research is happening
-
New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miller, Jeffrey M — New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
- Study coordinator: Miller, Jeffrey M
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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.