Understanding how brain function affects grief in older adults
Official title: Emotion Regulation in Complicated Grief
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-10764217 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain helps older adults manage their feelings after losing someone they love, to see if it can help predict who will heal from their grief and who might need more support.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2020 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $482,808 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH122490-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10764217 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who have recently experienced the death of a loved one and are exhibiting signs of acute grief.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing significant grief or who have not recently lost a loved one may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain regulates emotions in older adults experiencing complicated grief after the loss of a loved one. It aims to identify neurobiological markers that can predict whether individuals will recover from acute grief or develop prolonged grief disorder. By using neuroimaging techniques, the study will analyze brain network functions related to emotion regulation and their impact on grief trajectories. The goal is to enhance understanding of grief and improve therapeutic approaches for those struggling with intense grief.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better identification and treatment strategies for older adults suffering from complicated grief.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the neurobiological aspects of grief, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goveas, Joseph S — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Goveas, Joseph S
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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.