Integrated Reward-Inflammation Model of First Onset of Major Depression in Adolescence

The Affective & Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory at Northwestern University directed by MPI Dr. Nusslock has extensive experience using neuroimaging to examine brain systems underlying risk for mood disorders. The Foundations of Health Research Center directed by Co-I Dr. Gregory Miller has expertise in assaying immune data and examining the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and risk for mental and physical illness. Drs. Nusslock and Miller and their respective laboratories will perform at least 6 functions for the grant. These include: 1. Managing and supervising the project’s technician at the Northwestern Site. 2. Regularly meeting with project PIs and personnel at the Temple site. 3. Preprocessing and analysis of structural and functional MRI data. 4. Assaying and analysis of inflammatory biomarkers. 5. Providing conceptual and mechanistic basis for neuroimmune linkages in risk for mood disorder symptoms. 6. Participate in analysis and interpretation of data, and co-author manuscripts that result. Dr. Nusslock and his research team, as well as Dr. Miller will regularly meet with PI Alloy as needed to complete the above goals.