Project Summary

Brent Forester, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2004) of Harvard University, will use nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to identify biological markers in the biochemistry of the brain in an effort to make more accurate predictions of antidepressant treatment response in a geriatric population. To improve the ability to prescribe appropriate treatments for depression, it would be useful to identify reliable biological markers for antidepressant response. Using MRS will allow Dr. Forester to identify every compound levels that may be altered in people with depression, as previous studies have shown that low energy levels as evidenced by low levels of NTP in the brains of younger adults with depression helps to predict who will get better using antidepressant medication, but has not been studied in older adults.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Unipolar Depression

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