2016 Young investigator grant program: Diagnostic tools and early intervention-Depression

aims to facilitate prevention and early intervention for major depressive disorder (MDD) by discovering potential biomarkers indicative of risk. Dr. Hao will study individuals at high familial risk for MDD. Using advanced imaging technology called 1H Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS), Dr. Hao will investigate whether levels of a brain metabolite called N-Acetylaspartate (NAA) are linked to changes in brain structure and function in individuals at high-risk for MDD, comparing with low-risk individuals.