Using magnetic stimulation to improve brain barrier function in depression treatment
Official title: Blood-brain barrier modulation by transcranial magnetic stimulation as a mechanism in depression treatment
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11089533 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a treatment called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) might help improve the protective barrier in the brain for people with treatment-resistant depression, to see if fixing this barrier can lead to feeling better.
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 | May 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $196,020 |
| NIH project number | 5K23MH136337-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11089533 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 therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-depressive disorders or those who have not been diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can improve the function of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The study aims to determine if specific abnormalities in BBB function are linked to different depressive symptoms and whether improvements in BBB function through TMS can lead to better treatment outcomes. Patients will undergo assessments before and after TMS treatment to evaluate changes in BBB function and their correlation with symptom relief. The research focuses on understanding the biological mechanisms behind depression and how TMS can target these effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using TMS for depression, but this specific approach focusing on BBB modulation is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goldwaser, Eric Luria — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Goldwaser, Eric Luria
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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.