Understanding how expectations influence antidepressant effects
Neurocomputational mechanisms of antidepressant placebo effects
This study is looking at how what you believe about antidepressants can actually change your mood, and it’s for people who want to understand how their expectations might help improve their treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10808047 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the biological mechanisms behind the placebo effects of antidepressants, focusing on how patients' expectations can lead to real changes in mood. By using advanced techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and neuroimaging, the study aims to explore how the brain processes these expectations and how they can be manipulated to enhance treatment outcomes. Participants may experience changes in their mood based on their beliefs about the effectiveness of antidepressants, which could lead to new therapeutic strategies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are experiencing depression and are open to participating in experimental treatments.
Not a fit: Patients who are not experiencing depressive symptoms or those who are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for depression by harnessing the power of patient expectations.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding placebo effects in various treatments, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pecina, Marta — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Pecina, Marta
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.