Using heart rate variability to improve brain stimulation treatments
Official title: HRV-guided tDCS: Integrating a biomarker for clinical utility
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11161506 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to make brain stimulation treatments more effective for people with depression by using heart rate measurements to tailor the sessions just for you, so you can even do them at home!
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $690,895 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB035129-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11161506 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who experience neuropsychiatric symptoms, particularly those related to depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that do not respond to neuropsychiatric treatments or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to enhance the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a noninvasive brain stimulation technique, by using heart rate variability (HRV) as a biomarker. The goal is to personalize and optimize treatment sessions based on individual responses, which may lead to better outcomes for patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms like depression. The approach includes integrating HRV monitoring into a telehealth platform, allowing for home-based administration of tDCS. By measuring HRV, researchers aim to determine the best timing and dosage for each patient, potentially improving treatment efficacy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized treatments for neuropsychiatric conditions, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using biomarkers to guide neurostimulation treatments, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pilloni, Giuseppina — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Pilloni, Giuseppina
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Actions to Decrease Disparities in Blood Pressure Control for Blacks
Aiming to help Black patients manage high blood pressure by using nurses, community health workers, and home monitoring in real-world clinics.
-
Blood-based markers to identify lung cancer risk in never-smokers
A researchers team at NYU School of Medicine is testing blood tests that might flag higher lung cancer risk in people who have never smoked, helping decide who might need screening.
-
Oxytocin's effect on social brain function in autistic adults
A group at NYU School of Medicine studies how oxytocin affects social thinking and brain activity in adults with autism.
-
COVID-19 healthcare disruptions and heart health inequities in NYC adults with multiple conditions
This project looks at how COVID-19-related gaps in care affected heart health in adults with several chronic conditions in New York City.
-
Connecting TDP-43 Pathology to Molecular Profiles in Neurodegeneration
This grant explores how specific molecular patterns in brain tissue relate to ALS and Alzheimer’s disease features, aiming to improve understanding of disease subtypes and progression.
-
INOCA-mobile heart rehab for angina and breathlessness
A mobile health-based cardiac rehabilitation program is being tested to help people with INOCA feel better and move more.
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.