This research program aims to improve treatment for the most severe and persistent form of depression: treatment-resistant depression. Within an existing network of research institutes and mental healthcare centres, the industrial development of promising treatment strategies will be facilitated to generate a broad range of clinical innovations.
INDEPTH – Innovative Depression Treatment and Health Research Program
This research program aims to improve the treatment of the most severe and persistent form of depression: treatment-resistant depression (TRD). It funds collaborative research of universities, clinical institutions, and industry to develop and optimize promising treatment strategies. This includes innovative pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment as well as improved clinical decision making based on technological and neurobiological innovation. The program group builds on the Netherlands Network for Difficult-to-Treat Depression, a research collaboration comprising of the systematic collection and analysis of routine healthcare data.
In the Netherlands, around one in five people develop a depression during their lifetime. Despite evidence-based treatment, around 20-30% of the patients do not achieve remission in contemporary care, classified as TRD. This form of depression is characterized by persistent and severe symptoms, reducing well‑being and functioning, and increasing the risk of suicide and physical illness. TRD is the main contributor to the societal burden of depression, consisting of an annual €1.6 billion in direct healthcare costs and €1.8 billion in productivity loss.
Providing access to the data and research infrastructure established within the Netherlands Network for Difficult‑to‑Treat Depression, the research program provides a unique opportunity to accelerate the development, evaluation, and implementation of novel treatment approaches. The improved treatment outcomes achieved within the program will ultimately reduce the number of people with TRD. This reduces healthcare utilization while decreasing work disability and enhancing societal participation.
The program welcomes applications for collaborative projects of research institutes and companies focused on applied research on TRD within two domains: (1) the development and further advancement of innovative treatments and applications, and (2) the development and optimization of tools for clinical decision‑making based on neurobiological and technological innovation. Project ideas will be evaluated on academic and societal impact as well as on the more direct economic impact.