Project Type(s):
Clinical Research
- Katherine Liang, MD, PhD
Depression can be difficult to treat, and even effective therapies do not work for everyone. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive treatment that can help people whose depression has not improved with medications or psychotherapy, but patients often undergo daily treatments for several weeks before knowing whether it will work for them. At present, clinicians have no objective biological test to help predict who is most likely to benefit.
This project will test whether a simple, noninvasive eye test called an electroretinogram (ERG) can provide an early biological signal of TMS response. Because the retina is part of the nervous system, changes in retinal activity may reflect changes in brain function. The study will measure ERG signals before TMS and early in the treatment course, then compare those changes with improvement in depression symptoms. If successful, this work could help advance psychiatric care from trial and error toward more personalized treatment decisions, allowing patients to receive effective care sooner and helping clinicians use TMS more efficiently.
Project Period:
January 1, 2027 — December 31, 2027
Yes - We don't have funding to contribute
Funding Type(s):
Philanthropy
Garvey Institute for Brain Health Solutions
Geographic Area(s):
King County, Seattle/Puget Sound, University of Washington
Practice Type(s):
Neuromodulation, Outpatient, Veterans Health Administration
Patient Population(s):
Adults, Veterans
Targeted Condition(s):
Depression
