Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) awarded Stony Brook University a $437,125 Project Grant under the Mental Health Research Grants program (CFDA 93.242) for the period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028. This proof-of-concept research study examines the biological mechanisms underlying repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a noninvasive brain stimulation treatment FDA-approved for major depressive disorder (MDD). The primary deliverable is empirical research data exploring the relationship between rTMS-induced reductions in depression severity and corresponding reductions in microglial density, measured using microglia-specific [11C]PS13 positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in a cohort of ten treatment-seeking participants with MDD receiving rTMS as standard-of-care treatment.

The research addresses a critical knowledge gap regarding variable treatment response rates across MDD populations by investigating whether heterogeneous neuroinflammation—specifically microglia activation—explains the observed heterogeneity in rTMS efficacy. Expected products include peer-reviewed publications, mechanistic insights into rTMS efficacy, and datasets that may inform patient stratification approaches for antidepressant treatment selection. The study is conducted at Stony Brook University's facilities in Stony Brook, New York, with The Research Foundation for the State University of New York serving as the fiscal administrative entity.