Structural and functional brain disconnections associated with depression in stroke survivors (2024–2026)
- Abstract:
- About one-third of stroke survivors will go on to develop depression. This is particularly detrimental because it further limits their chances of recovery. Depression typically develops several months after stroke. This means that people at risk could benefit from interventions to prevent the onset of depression. However, to date, there are no tests to identify who is most susceptible and no regions of the brain seem to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of stroke in determining who will develop depression. This may be because traditional methods used to study the impact of stroke on the brain are outdated and not sensitive enough to pinpoint brain changes that will lead to depression. There is evidence that instead of causing damage to relatively small areas of the brain as seen on traditional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, strokes may initiate injuries throughout the brain by damaging the connections between the brain area directly affected by the stroke and other regions of the brain. In this project, we are using novel methods to visualize these more subtle injuries across the brain. We will then test if these broader patterns of injury are associated with the development of depression in stroke survivors. Knowing which patterns of brain injury will lead to depression in certain people with a stroke will inform the development of new prevention treatments. Moreover, out findings may provide a better understanding of the brain changes leading to depression in general. This may guide clinicians in their choice of medications or treatments in people with depression in the absence of stroke.
- Grant type:
- Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
- Researchers:
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Group Leader
Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologySenior Research Fellow
School of PsychologyFaculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences
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- Funded by:
- Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
