# Electrical Field and Neuroimaging Based Prediction of ECT Induced Clinical and Cognitive Effects

> **NIH NIH R21** · FEINSTEIN INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH · 2020 · $247,500

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
This is an application for an NIMH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Award (R21) entitled "Electrical
field and neuroimaging based prediction of ECT induced clinical and cognitive effects." In this application, Dr.
Miklos Argyelan proposes a comprehensive plan for identifying predictive biomarkers for the clinical effects and
side effects of ECT treatment. The plan aims to understand the neural mechanisms of treatment response in
major depressive disorders by integrating functional neuroimaging with neuromodulatory bioelectric treatment
approaches.
The most effective approach for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) remains electroconvulsive therapy
(ECT). Despite intensive research, however, the mechanism of action for ECT remains unknown, and currently
no clinical or biological biomarkers exist to predict response. In patients with TRD undergoing a trial of ECT
(with bilateral electrode placement), the proposed study will use both resting-state and electrical field modeling
as applied to structural MRI scans, to examine the neural circuitry underlying clinical response and
neurocognitive side effects. Patients will undergo MRI scanning at baseline and will be followed with clinical
and cognitive scales for the course of ECT treatment. Results of this proposal may lead to biomarkers that will
optimize treatment algorithms for mood disorders with higher efficacy and a lower cognitive side effect profile.
Identifying target mechanisms would not only improve the current deployment of bioelectric approaches as part
of a “precision medicine” approach, but could also lead to the development of novel therapies.
This line of research will be conducted in an environment with investigators who are recognized experts in
functional neuroimaging (Miklos Argyelan, M.D.), ECT (Georgios Petrides, M.D.), electrical field modeling
(Marom Bikson Ph.D.,), statistical approaches of multivariate data analysis (Todd Lencz, M.D.) and biomarkers
studies in psychiatry (Anil K. Malhotra, M.D.). The culmination of these research activities will enhance our
understanding of both the neurobiological underpinnings of mood disorders and the mechanism of action of
ECT treatment. These results will open new possibilities how to administer ECT. At the end of the award period
Dr. Argyelan plans to submit an R01 grant application to translate these novel findings into personalized
neuromodulation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9929661
- **Project number:** 5R21MH119616-02
- **Recipient organization:** FEINSTEIN INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH
- **Principal Investigator:** Miklos Argyelan
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $247,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-05-15 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9929661

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9929661, Electrical Field and Neuroimaging Based Prediction of ECT Induced Clinical and Cognitive Effects (5R21MH119616-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9929661. Licensed CC0.

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