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Cognitive Enhancement in Recurrent Depression

Award Number: K23MH140069
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/01/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2031

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Cognitive Enhancement in Recurrent Depression - ABSTRACT Late-life depression (LLD) is a heterogeneous neuropsychiatric disorder that can take a chronic and recurrent course. Executive dysfunction (i.e., difficulties with complex mental tasks and planning) is prominent in recurrent LLD, persists despite remission of depressive symptoms, and corresponds with increased risk of cognitive decline and transition to dementia. Past work demonstrates executive function deficits are related to changes in the underlying structure and function of the brain’s executive control network (ECN). Combining targeted cognitive-enhancing interventions aimed at promoting neuroplasticity may strengthen the underlying ECN, thereby improving executive function performance. Multi-modal approaches using cognitive training and non- invasive neuromodulation (i.e., transcranial direct current stimulation; tDCS) support cognitive benefits in older adults. However, previous research used more general executive function-based cognitive training, while the current study proposes a targeted cognitive training (TCT) intervention that was created to specifically address executive function deficits found in LLD. Combining this with tDCS applied to the frontal lobes may help to maximally engage and benefit executive function-based cognitive and neural functions. The proposed study aims to identify cognitive and neural changes elicited by a multi-modal cognitive- enhancing intervention using a randomized clinical trial pilot study design. Sixty non-demented older adults presenting with executive dysfunction and recurrent LLD will undergo a 4-week daily intervention contrasting the effects of three conditions (bifrontal active tDCS+TCT, sham tDCS+TCT, and sham tDCS+non-targeted control cognitive training (CT)) on measures of executive functioning and ECN brain connectivity pre- and post- intervention. Specific aims are to determine whether stepwise ECN engagement across randomized groups (active tDCS+TCT > sham tDCS+TCT > sham tDCS+control CT) results in progressively greater benefit to executive functions (Aim 1) and functional connectivity between ECN regions (Aim 2). We will also explore whether intervention-related changes in ECN relates with executive function performance (Exploratory Aim) and changes in depressive symptoms. Resultant data will enhance understanding of mechanisms underlying this multi-modal cognitive-enhancing intervention in recurrent LLD and inform a more definitive randomized, mechanistically-focused clinical trial via an R01. This K23 will support my career development goals of building expertise in 1) delivery and optimization of multi-modal non-pharmacological interventions to enhance cognition, 2) functional connectivity neuroimaging analysis in LLD, and 3) clinical trials development, implementation, and management. Study results will establish the necessary groundwork for my development as an independent investigator focused on multi-modal targeting of the ECN (via TCT, tDCS) to enhance brain and cognitive functions in LLD, with goals of understanding mechanism, personalizing treatments, and altering the trajectory of cognitive decline to reduce dementia risk.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $186,624 )
2026	2026	VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER	1161 21ST AVE S STE D3300 MCN	NASHVILLE	TN	37232	DAVIDSON	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	5/1/2026	NEW	$186,624
														Subtotal = $186,624

Grand Total All Awards = $186,624

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Cognitive Enhancement in Recurrent Depression

Award Number: K23MH140069

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/01/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2031

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