Using brain activity to understand movement issues in depression
Official title: EEG Coherence as a Biomarker for Psychomotor Disturbance and Course of Depression
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11070637 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how brain activity is linked to movement issues in people with depression, hoping to find a reliable way to measure these problems that goes beyond just asking how you feel.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $43,185 |
| NIH project number | 1F31MH139284-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11070637 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals currently experiencing depression, those who have recovered from depression, and individuals who have never been depressed.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with movement disorders unrelated to depression or those who do not have a history of depression may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how brain activity, measured through electroencephalograms (EEG), relates to movement problems commonly seen in depression. By examining the coherence of brain waves in the beta frequency range, the study aims to identify a biological marker that can help assess psychomotor disturbances in individuals with depression. This approach seeks to provide a more objective measure of these disturbances, moving beyond traditional self-reports and observer ratings, which can be biased. The research will follow individuals with different depression histories to explore these connections over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate assessments of depression and better-targeted treatments for patients experiencing psychomotor disturbances.
How similar studies have gone: While the connection between EEG coherence and psychomotor disturbances in depression is not extensively studied, similar approaches in other conditions like Parkinson's have shown promising results.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zarubin, Vanessa C. — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Zarubin, Vanessa C.
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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.