Unipolar Depression Studies
Volunteers are needed for the following studies about depression. If you would like to participate in any of the studies below, please contact the study team with the contact information provided.
ASCEND
The goal of this study is to try to understand how people who suffer from depression may have difficulty with thinking and feeling, and how these difficulties may be helped with treatment. Additionally, we aim to examine functioning in parts of the brain that are negatively affected by depression. Those who are depressed will receive treatment for depression as a part of the study. Call 734-232-0212 or email slangen@med.umich.edu for more information. Compensation is provided for participation.
Cognitive Processes and Their Relevance to Depression
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between emotion and memory. We apply our research on interference-resolution to study Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The goal of this study is to try to understand cognitive deficits in MDD via understanding processes of interference resolution, which may help us understand ruminative processes among depressed individuals. Testing may include measures of attention, cognition, memory, and cortisol. This study does not involve starting new medications or changing current medications. For more information, please contact: 734-647-6249 or jlabfbstudy@umich.edu. Compensation provided for participation.
Stress and Reproductive Hormones in Depression Study
The goal of this study is to see if women with depression have different estrogen levels than women without depression. We will look to see if these differences are linked to levels of the stress hormone cortisol. We also want to see how these hormones affect the serotonin receptors (which have been linked to depression) in the brain. This study does not involve starting new treatment. Call 734-972-6902 or Email depressionstudies@umich.edu. Volunteers will be compensated.
Effects of Music on Pleasure and Cognition in Subjects with Major Depressive Disorder
Are you a male 18-45? Are you sad and blue? Do you like music? We are conducting a study looking at the effect of music on depression. There are two visits lasting a total of 5 hours; one visit involves brain imaging (MRI) For more information, please contact: 734-232-0382 or lmayo@umich.edu. Compensation provided for participation
Early Onset Depression
This study aims to examine the lifetime burden of depression by looking at the interactions of hormones, thinking, and depression severity, as well as how these factors influence the stability of depressive symptoms. Testing may include measures of attention, cognition, memory, and cortisol, both with and without fMRI. This study does not involve starting new medications or changing current medications. Call 734-232-0212 or email sarawrig@med.umich.edu for more information. Compensation is provided for participation.
Late Onset Depression
This study aims to understand the differences in both healthy older adults and those suffering from depression. We are especially interested in how these groups may differ in anatomical and cognitive functioning measures. Testing may include measures of attention, cognition, memory, and cortisol both with and without fMRI and PET scan. This study does not involve starting new medications or changing current medications. Call 734-232-0212 or email slangen@med.umich.edu for more information. Compensation is provided for participation.
FALLS
The goal of this study is to determine whether and how depression may place people over the age of 60 at greater risk for falls and secondarily, poor function. You may be eligible for this study if you are 60 or older and have had at least two falls in the past six months or you experience problems with balance. This study does not involve starting new medications or changing current medications. Call 734-232-0212 or email sarawrig@med.umich.edu for more information. Compensation is provided for participation.
Comorbid PTSD and Depression Study
The goal of this research study is to better understand the function of brain and stress hormones in people suffering from both Major Depression (MDD), commonly known as depression and Anxiety Disorder, particularly PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). We seek to understand how exposure to trauma in either childhood or adulthood affects the chemistry of brain and hormones. Call 734-972-6902 or Email depressionstudies@umich.edu. Compensation provided for participation
MR: GR Balance in Depression Study
The goal of this study is to understand how the stress hormone, cortisol, interacts with two different “receptors” (MR and GR) in the brain. This is important since stress is strongly linked to depression. Previous research studies have shown how these receptors can also affect the serotonin system. The serotonin system is strongly associated with depression too and is involved in the mechanism that makes the newer antidepressant medications effective in treating depression. Understanding how the receptors interact with the stress hormone system will help us to further understand depression and potentially suggest additional treatments for depression. Call 734-972-6902 or Email depressionstudies@umich.edu. Compensation provided for participation
Face Depression
The goal of this study is to try to understand how some groups of people may have difficulty with aspects of thinking and with processing facial emotions. We aim to examine patterns of brain activation associated with impaired emotional facial perception in depression and related psychological and neurological disorders. Testing may include measures of attention, cognition, memory, and cortisol, both with and without fMRI. This study does not involve starting new medications or changing current medications. Call 734-232-0212 or email slangen@med.umich.edu for more information. Compensation is provided for participation.
The CIRCLE Project
The goal of the CIRCLE (Coping in Response to Childhood Loss Experiences) Project is to learn more about how children, ages 3-12, cope after the death of a parent and what factors, both within the children themselves and in their social environment, seem to help them cope over time. For more information, please contact: (734) 276-4071 or email bwardeck@med.umich.edu . Compensation is provided for participation.
The FAMILY Study
The goal of the FAMILY (Facing a Maternal Illness in Latency Years) Study is to assess children, ages 6-12, within the first 6 months of their mother’s breast cancer diagnosis in order to learn more about how children feel about and cope with maternal breast cancer and facilitate parent-child communication regarding this topic. For more information, please contact: (734) 276-4071 or email bwardeck@med.umich.edu . Compensation is provided for participation.
Women’s Mental Health and Infants Program research
This program’s research focuses on improving our understanding of mood disorders in women throughout the lifespan. Studies focus on improving detection and treatment of depression and anxiety in women of childbearing age, improving access to effective treatments for depression/anxiety around the time of childbearing, understanding the impact of treatment for depression and anxiety on women and their children, and understanding how mother-child relationships affect depression risk. Please visit the Women’s Mental Health and Infants Program page for descriptions of studies that are currently seeking participants.
