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Funding Priorities

Research and Innovative Therapies

Research is essential to understanding both the risk and protective factors that shape mental health, and translating those discoveries into effective, evidence-based treatment.

Current studies at Menninger include brain stimulation therapy for opioid use disorder, early detection of biological markers for psychiatric illness, psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression and PTSD, and other clinical innovations that hold the potential to transform and save lives.

Through collaboration with leading scientists nationwide in brain imaging, genetics, microbiology, and computational psychiatry, Menninger and its academic affiliate, Baylor College of Medicine, have built one of the world’s most comprehensive mental health research databases — accelerating discovery through the power of big data.

This work does not stay in the lab. It moves directly into patient care.

Recent Highlights

Accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

Menninger has implemented Rapid Targeted TMS, a groundbreaking therapy combining transcranial magnetic stimulation with functional MRI guidance. This safe, non-invasive approach precisely targets brain regions most likely to benefit from stimulation.

To date, 93 patients have received this therapy, demonstrating rapid reductions in depression and suicidality within just five days. Early findings suggest that connectivity patterns in the mesolimbic pathway may help predict which patients are most likely to respond.

Beyond mood disorders, TMS is showing promise for substance use treatment. With NIH funding, Menninger is conducting a clinical trial examining TMS as an intervention to reduce opioid cravings. Preliminary findings show approximately 71% reduction in opioid craving following five days of treatment, alongside measurable changes in brain connectivity.

Clinical Outcomes Research

Menninger is advancing a research pipeline that integrates molecular biology, neuroimaging, machine learning, and real-world clinical outcomes.

More than 9,000 patients have contributed symptom data, enabling researchers to better understand treatment effectiveness across suicide risk, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, emotional dysregulation, and sleep disturbance.

This work has produced numerous peer-reviewed publications and is helping shape more personalized, precision-based psychiatric care.

MIND-2: Advancing the Science of Mental Illness

The MIND study is a comprehensive neuroscience initiative designed to identify anatomical, physiological, and genetic risk factors for mental illness.

Researchers have collected an unprecedented dataset from more than 800 individuals, including brain imaging, genetic sequencing, and microbiome samples. Now in its second phase, MIND-2 is examining how brain connectivity, genetics, and gut microbiota interact to influence psychiatric disorders.

Recent findings are deepening understanding of alcohol use, suicide risk, anxiety disorders, and genetic vulnerability — creating pathways toward earlier detection and more targeted treatment strategies.

Your Gift Fuels Discovery and Hope

Your donation helps:

Accelerate development of innovative treatments for depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders.
Expand neuroscience research that identifies early markers and risk factors.
Support clinical trials that move promising therapies from research into real-world care.
Strengthen data-driven precision psychiatry that improves treatment outcomes.
Position Menninger as a leader in translating scientific discovery into patient healing.

Research is not abstract. It determines what treatments exist tomorrow, and who gets better because of them. Philanthropy makes it possible to pursue bold ideas, test innovative therapies, and bring life-changing breakthroughs to patients faster.

The Impact of Innovation

Scientific discovery transforms the trajectory of mental health care. It replaces uncertainty with understanding, shortens the path to effective treatment, and creates new hope for individuals who have not responded to traditional approaches.

Investing in research today expands what recovery looks like tomorrow.