Understanding gene activity in the brains of people with mood disorders who died by suicide
Official title: Spatial and Cell Specific Gene Expression Profiles in Suicide in Mood Disorders
Funded at New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC · NIH-11349216 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to map which genes are active in brain cells and where they are in the brains of people with mood disorders who attempted or died by suicide, using advanced single-cell and spatial techniques.
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) | $561,207 |
| NIH project number | 1P50MH139573-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11349216 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with mood disorders (e.g., major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder) whose brain tissue is available for research, along with matched neurotypical controls.
✕Less likely to help
Living patients with mood disorders who do not contribute tissue or data to this research may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project will examine brain tissue from people with mood disorders to identify genes and chromatin areas that differ between those who died by suicide, those who attempted suicide, and healthy controls. Researchers will use cutting-edge methods to measure gene activity at the single-cell level and map these signals to precise brain regions, including the hippocampus. They will also combine genome-wide data to understand how genetic variants may influence gene activity in suicide. The work aims to create a detailed cellular map that could reveal targets for future treatments and prevention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could improve understanding of suicide biology and guide the development of targeted interventions for mood disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier single-cell studies in psychiatric conditions have identified disease-relevant cell types and pathways, but this project advances the map to spatial context and chromatin accessibility.
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: Dupont, Maura Boldrini — New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
- Study coordinator: Dupont, Maura Boldrini
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Integrating immune and brain reward biology in veterans with mood problems
A study in veterans with mood disorders looks at how the immune system and brain reward circuits may work together to drive depression and suicide risk.
-
Exploring the link between immune system issues and mood disorders in veterans
This study is looking at how problems with the immune system might affect mood and increase the risk of suicide in veterans, using blood tests and brain scans to find clues that could help improve diagnosis and treatment for those dealing with depression.
-
Synaptic changes in mood disorders and suicide risk
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.
-
Mindfulness to reduce mood swings in teens at risk for mood disorders
This project teaches mindfulness skills to teens and young adults with family histories of mood disorders to help reduce frequent mood swings and improve sustained attention.
-
Understanding how calcium channels affect substance use and mood disorders
This study is looking at how problems with drugs and mood can affect each other, especially when someone is trying to stay off drugs, and it’s testing how certain brain channels might help us find better treatments for people dealing with both issues.
-
Understanding how mindfulness can help youth at risk for mood disorders
This study is looking at how mindfulness practices can help young people who are at risk for mood disorders by improving their emotional control and mood, and it aims to find out who might benefit the most from these techniques.
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.