Project Summary

Dara M. Cannon, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2006) of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH/NIH), aims to use imaging studies to increase understanding of the role of dopamine receptor function in the brain during major depression and bipolar depression. The neurotransmitter dopamine acts on receptors in the brain and is involved in reward and motivation. Several pieces of evidence implicate the dopaminergic system in depression, such as abnormal dopamine receptor binding levels in the striatum. But other brain regions have not been assessed because of a lack of a positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand capable of permitting it. In the proposed study, Dr. Cannon plans to exploit new radioligands that can assess dopamine receptor binding throughout the brain. She believes her technique will better detect these receptors in depressed subjects when compared to healthy controls. Sixty men and women will participate in this study (20 currently with major depression, 20 with bipolar disorder and currently suffering depression, and 20 without any history of depression). Each participant will undergo two PET scans and one magnetic resonance scan (MRI).

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS

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