Understanding how threat sensitivity affects anxiety and depression
Official title: Processes and circuitry underlying threat sensitivity as a treatment target for comorbid anxiety and depression
Funded at Laureate Institute for Brain Research · NIH-11002321 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how people with both anxiety and depression react to threats compared to those with just depression, using brain scans and other methods to understand their responses better, which could help improve treatments for those who struggle with these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Laureate Institute for Brain Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tulsa, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $360,749 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132565-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11002321 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with both major depressive disorder and comorbid anxiety disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have anxiety disorders or major depressive disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between threat sensitivity and the comorbidity of anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder. It aims to identify the neural circuits involved in how individuals with these conditions respond to potential and acute threats. By using various methods such as self-reports, startle responses, and brain imaging, the study seeks to quantify the differences in threat sensitivity between those with anxiety-depression comorbidity and those with depression alone. The findings could lead to better assessment tools and targeted treatments for affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for individuals suffering from both anxiety and depression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding threat sensitivity in anxiety and depression, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Laureate Institute for Brain Research
Tulsa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ironside, Maria — Laureate Institute for Brain Research
- Study coordinator: Ironside, Maria
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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.