Understanding how the brain processes rewards in depression and its link to suicide risk and treatment response
Official title: Reward processing and depressive subtypes: Identifying neural biotypes related to suicide risk, resilience, and treatment response
Funded at Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco · NIH-11115545 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how depression changes the way the brain responds to rewards, especially for people who feel less motivated or find less joy in things they used to enjoy, to help find better ways to treat different types of depression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2020 |
| Project end | September 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01CX001980-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11115545 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder who experience symptoms such as anhedonia or amotivation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with depression who do not exhibit significant reward processing issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain's processing of rewards is altered in individuals with depression, particularly focusing on symptoms like anhedonia and amotivation. By examining the neural mechanisms involved, the study aims to identify specific biomarkers that can help classify different subtypes of depression and predict treatment responses. The approach combines clinical observations with advanced neurobiological techniques to better understand the variations in depressive symptoms and their underlying causes. Ultimately, this research seeks to pave the way for more personalized treatment strategies for those affected by major depressive disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic tools and treatment options for patients with depression, enhancing their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in identifying biomarkers related to depression, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fryer, Susanna — Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Fryer, Susanna
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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.