Using biomarkers to choose the best antidepressant for treatment-resistant depression.
Official title: Biomarker-Guided Antidepressant Selection for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-10977993 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help people with tough-to-treat depression by finding the best antidepressant for them using special tests, and it will compare two fast-acting treatments, ketamine and rTMS, to see which works better for each person based on their unique brain characteristics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | September 14, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,377,361 |
| NIH project number | 1UG3MH137656-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10977993 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression who have not responded to standard antidepressant therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with mild depression or those who have not been diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving treatment for individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) by using biomarkers to guide the selection of antidepressants. It aims to compare two effective treatments, ketamine and accelerated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), which can provide rapid relief from depressive symptoms. By understanding individual differences in how patients respond to these treatments, the research seeks to minimize the trial-and-error approach currently used by clinicians. The project will involve developing and testing a new method to match patients with the treatment that is most likely to be effective for them based on their unique neurobiological profiles.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to faster and more effective treatment options for patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using biomarkers to predict treatment responses in depression, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liston, Conor M — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Liston, Conor M
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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.