Advances in Precision Mental Health: TMS Research, NHS Genomic Study, and New Global Prize
Advances in precision mental health research include TMS findings published in Nature Molecular Psychiatry showing targeted brain stimulation can address specific depression and anxiety symptoms, the launch of the three-year GlobalMinds NHS genomic study analyzing 49,000 DNA samples, and the new $1 million Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science.
Multiple developments in precision mental health research are advancing simultaneously, from targeted brain stimulation findings to a large-scale NHS genomic study and a major new international prize for mental health science breakthroughs.
Researchers have published findings in Nature Molecular Psychiatry showing that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can be fine-tuned to target specific symptoms of depression and anxiety. In a study of 36 patients with moderate to severe symptoms of both conditions, researchers stimulated two different brain circuits — the traditional dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and a novel dorsomedial prefrontal cortex target — over 30 daily treatments. Both targets eased depression symptoms, but the novel target also led to significant improvements in anxiety symptoms, marking the first time researchers selectively improved specific anxiety symptoms through targeted TMS. The traditional stimulation site was more likely to improve depressive symptoms such as sadness, decreased interest in activities, and suicidality, while the novel site improved what researchers termed "anxiosomatic" symptoms including irritability, sexual disinterest, and insomnia. However, researchers noted the findings should be interpreted cautiously given the small sample size, and no clear correlation was found between symptom improvement and changes in brain circuit connectivity.
Meanwhile, thousands of people living with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression are being recruited into the GlobalMinds study, which aims to find new treatment approaches through DNA analysis and medical records data. The three-year study, led by Cardiff University's Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics in partnership with mental health data science company Akrivia Health, will analyse the DNA of 49,000 volunteers from England and Wales using at-home sampling kits, combined with detailed questionnaires and health records. Around 1,000 people living with dementia will also be enrolled, and 10 NHS mental health trusts are supporting the project. The study aims to create what NHS England described as "the most detailed dataset ever" on serious mental health conditions. "Precision medicine has already revolutionised the treatment of cancer and other rare diseases and we want GlobalMinds to bring the same breakthroughs to mental health," said the study's lead researcher.
On the funding front, the Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature has been launched as the world's largest global prize for mental health science, offering $1 million to the overall winner and $250,000 each to three finalists. The prize is open to researchers, teams, and small and medium-sized businesses worldwide, with submissions judged on novelty, credibility, effectiveness, and adoptability. Applications must be submitted by 18 September 2026.