Understanding how deep brain stimulation can help treat severe depression
Elucidating Reward Network Modulation in Medial Forebrain Bundle Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment Resistant Depression
This study is looking at how deep brain stimulation can help people with treatment-resistant depression, focusing on a key area of the brain that affects emotions and rewards, so if you're struggling to find relief from your depression, you might have the chance to try this treatment and help us learn more about how it works.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Feinstein Institute for Medical Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Manhasset, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11029124 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat treatment-resistant depression (TRD), a condition affecting many individuals who do not respond to standard therapies. The study focuses on the medial forebrain bundle, a critical brain pathway involved in emotional and reward processing, to better understand how stimulation affects brain function and behavior. By examining changes in brain metabolism and connectivity, the research aims to identify mechanisms that lead to improvements in depressive symptoms and anhedonia. Patients participating in this research may receive DBS treatment while contributing to the understanding of its effects on the brain.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression who have not found relief from conventional therapies.
Not a fit: Patients with mild depression or those who respond well to standard treatments may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for individuals suffering from treatment-resistant depression.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results with deep brain stimulation for depression, indicating potential for significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
Manhasset, United States
- Feinstein Institute for Medical Research — Manhasset, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fenoy, Albert J — Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
- Study coordinator: Fenoy, Albert J
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 below.