Mental Illnesses Treatment Support & Programs How You Can Help Find Your Local NAMI NAMIWalks
Search
Home Inform Yourself About Research
 | Print this page | 
 | 
About_Research

Depression Research Studies

Date: March 5, 2013

New Study Seeks Answers to Help People with Psychotic Depression

Most of us have heard of depression, but few people may know about a type of depression that appears along with psychosis (or a loss of touch with reality). Referred to as psychotic major depression (PMD), it’s a surprisingly common mental disorder that affects more than one in 100 individuals. If you or someone in your life has depressed feelings along with ideas or ways of thinking that are not true and/or see or hear things that aren’t there – it may be PMD. With PMD for example, people may hear voices telling them that they don’t deserve to live. There is a high risk of suicide for individuals with PMD so it’s critical to seek help and get treated immediately. [Note: If you have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself or others, immediately call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room. You also may call a confidential suicide hotline from anywhere in the United States, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).]

People with PMD can and do get better with treatment. A combination of antidepressant and antipsychotic medication is an effective medication treatment.

In a new study called STOP PD II, researchers are working to understand how long people need to stay on an antipsychotic medication to prevent new episodes of psychosis after recovering from their initial symptoms. Individuals in this study will first receive a combination of an antipsychotic medication and an antidepressant medication for up to 20 weeks. They may begin in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Individuals who are nearly or fully better after up to 20 weeks will be invited to participate in a second phase of the study that lasts for up to 36 weeks.

To be eligible for the study, individuals must be 18 to 85 years old, experiencing symptoms of depression with psychosis, and not be pregnant. Study participants receive medication and medical care at no cost.

For more information about voluntary participation in this study call: Joelle M. Scanlon, PhD, at 412-246-6012

Date: January 24, 2013

Feelings in the Family Study

Are you:

  • A mother of one or more children between the ages of 6 to 12 years?
  • Experiencing feelings of depression?

Researchers in the Department of Child and Adolescent Studies at Cal State Fullerton are conducting a study to better understand how family members get along when a parent is experiencing some depressive feelings.

Participation includes a phone interview and questionnaires by mail. Families are compensated $25 for their time.

For more information, contact Marian Howland at (657) 278-1088 or mhowland@csu.fullerton.edu.

Date: January 8, 2013

Are you a woman between the ages of 45 and 55 and entering the transition to menopause?

The PERT (Perimenopausal Estrogen Replacement Therapy) Study is a clinical research study investigating cardiovascular health and psychological well-being during the menopause transition.

The PERT Study is enrolling two groups of women:

  • Women who have had more than one experience with depressive episodes in the past but who are currently not suffering from depression; and
  • Women who have never suffered from depression.

Eligible women will be randomly assigned (i.e., by chance) to either transdermal ERT (a skin patch containing 17b-estradiol) or placebo (a skin patch containing an inert substance). Participants will be involved in the study for 12-13 months with an optional 12 month follow-up period. Approximately 10 visits will be necessary over the initial 12-month period.

You may be eligible to participate if you are:

  • Living in North Carolina
  • Between the ages of 45 and 55
  • Medically healthy
  • Experiencing symptoms of the transition to menopause, such as irregular or absent cycles, hot flashes, etc.

What will you receive if you participate?

  • $1,325 for completing the full 12-month enrollment protocol and an additional $100 for the 12-month follow-up period.
  • 1 to 2 free screening mammograms
  • Free gynecological exam
  • Free medical screenings, including monitoring of glucose and lipid levels
  • Educational materials regarding health and well-being

For more information, click here www.pertstudy.com to visit our study website or please call:  (919) 972-7495

Date: Nov. 2, 2012

Is your major depressive disorder (MDD) a daily challenge?

Have you tried medications for your depression in the past which didn’t seem to help?
Are you currently taking an antidepressant but still feel low, tired, and depressed?

The Pursuit study is currently being conducted in your area to determine how safe and effective an investigational medication is for treating MDD.

We are looking for patients who:

  • Between the ages of 18-70, inclusive
  • have been diagnosed with MDD
  • have severe depressive symptoms but are not hospitalized
  • have tried at least three different antidepressants to treat their MDD over their lifetime which didn’t seem to help
  • are currently taking one or more antidepressants

The study will last for 20 weeks and will require approximately 20 visits to the study center so that study doctors and nurses can perform various tests and monitor how the drug affects you. Qualified participants will receive all study-related office visits, medical examinations, and investigational medication at no cost. Additionally, the cost of your currently prescribed medications for depression may be supplemented during your study participation.

For more information, click here www.majordepressionstudy.com to visit our study website or please call:  1-888-643-2056

TRIADE – Antidepressant Clinical Trial

Date: Oct. 6, 2011

The TRIADE trial is designed to assess amitifadine, a new drug being developed as a possible new antidepressant intended to reduce many of the side effects associated with typical antidepressant medications.

Who Can Participate in TRIADE?

  • People who have major depressive disorder
  • People who have not responded adequately to a single course of a previous antidepressant medication (SSRIs or SNRIs)

What is amitifadine?

  • Amitifadine is an investigational medication to treat depression that acts on three chemicals in the brain

What can you expect if you participate in TRIADE?

  • TRIADE is a 13 week trial
  • The purpose of the study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of the investigational medication
  • Some participants will be given amitifadine, while some will get a standard treatment and some will be given a pill with no medication (a placebo) for comparison

The trial will be conducted at approximately 30 centers throughout the U.S., and is expected to include approximately 318 individuals.

For full enrollment criteria and to locate a center near you, please call 1 (888) 414-1808 or visit www.trialreach.com/premium/depression.

TRIADE is sponsored by Euthymics® Bioscience, Inc., maker of amitifadine.

 

 Read More About Research


 | Print this page | 
 | 

Join NAMI today!

When you become a member of NAMI, you become part of America's largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness. And now you can join online.

  • Follow NAMI
  • Contact Us
    • NAMI
    • 3803 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 100
    • Arlington, Va 22203
    • Main: (703) 524-7600
    • Fax: (703) 524-9094
    • Member Services: (888) 999-6264
    • Helpline: (800) 950-6264