Using extracellular vesicles to predict how children will respond to antidepressants for anxiety

Estracellular Vesicles as Non-Invasive Predictors of Antidepressant Outcomes in Pediatric Anxiety

NIH-funded research University of Cincinnati · NIH-10649525

This study is looking at tiny particles in the blood that might help us understand how well kids and teens with anxiety will respond to antidepressant medications, so we can create more personalized treatment plans just for them.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Cincinnati NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cincinnati, United States)
Project IDNIH-10649525 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how extracellular vesicles, which are tiny particles released by cells, can serve as non-invasive indicators of how well children and adolescents will respond to antidepressant medications for anxiety disorders. By analyzing these vesicles, the study aims to identify biological markers that can predict treatment outcomes and potential side effects associated with selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This approach seeks to improve the management of anxiety disorders in young patients by providing insights that could lead to more personalized treatment plans. The research involves collecting blood samples from participants to analyze the vesicles and their contents.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children and adolescents diagnosed with anxiety disorders who are being considered for treatment with SSRIs.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have anxiety disorders or who are not candidates for SSRI treatment may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better predictions of treatment responses, allowing for more effective and tailored antidepressant therapies for children and adolescents with anxiety disorders.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of biological markers in predicting treatment outcomes is an emerging field, this specific approach using extracellular vesicles is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in pediatric populations.

Where this research is happening

Cincinnati, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Anxiety Disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.