Understanding how slowed movement affects learning in depression
Official title: Clarifying the Role of Psychomotor Retardation in Reward-Based Reinforcement Learning Deficits in MDD: A Computational and fMRI Study
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10974485 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how slowed movement, a common symptom of depression, affects the way people learn from rewards, and it's designed for individuals with major depressive disorder to help understand how their brain works when it comes to learning.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $181,587 |
| NIH project number | 5K23MH129607-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10974485 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are experiencing symptoms of major depressive disorder, particularly those with psychomotor retardation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have major depressive disorder or who are not experiencing psychomotor retardation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how psychomotor retardation, a common symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD), impacts the ability to learn from rewards. By using advanced computational modeling and fMRI technology, the study aims to identify specific processes involved in reward-based reinforcement learning that may be affected by slowed movement. Participants will undergo tasks designed to measure their learning and brain activity, helping to clarify the relationship between movement speed and learning outcomes in individuals with MDD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for individuals with depression by targeting specific learning deficits.
How similar studies have gone: While the relationship between psychomotor retardation and learning in depression is underexplored, similar studies have shown promise in understanding cognitive deficits in mental health disorders.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Letkiewicz, Allison — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Letkiewicz, Allison
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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.