Depression

9 05, 2023

The Carolina Recovery from Depression Protocol (CARED): A Novel Rapid Treatment Paradigm for Depression | Frohlich | $146,110

The Carolina Recovery from Depression Protocol (CARED): A Novel Rapid Treatment Paradigm for Depression 2023 Award: $146,110 Researchers at UNC are developing a new, intensive therapy to treat depression that combines non-invasive brain stimulation and psychotherapy. The Carolina Recovery from Depression Protocol (CARED) is designed to reduce depression symptoms in just one day and may be a more accessible treatment option for those with financial and logistical constraints. This pilot study aims to test the feasibility and effectiveness of this novel approach to treating depression. Need/Problem: The mental health crisis continues to affect many people, and there is an urgent need for new treatments for conditions like depression. While some treatments, like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and psychotherapy, have shown promise, they are often difficult to access due to their cost and time requirements. Grant Summary: Recent research has shown that [...]

9 05, 2022

Network Neuroscience of a Novel Brief Intervention for Stress and Depression Symptoms in College Students | Zhang & Schwippel | $41,080

Network Neuroscience of a Novel Brief Intervention for Stress and Depression Symptoms in College Students 2022 Award: $41,080 College students constantly experience stress, which may lead to various mental health problems. Psychosocial interventions are effective treatments, while the neural mechanisms underlying their therapeutic benefits remain unclear. In this study, we will record the brain activities of the client and the therapist simultaneously during the intervention. We will examine how synchronized brain activities between the client and the therapist may help explain the therapeutic benefits of psychosocial interventions. Need/Problem: The vast majority of college students experience a high level of stress arising from academic pressure, monetary concerns, and newly gained responsibilities as young adults. Stress-related symptoms include anxiety, sleeping problems, difficulties concentrating, and a low mood. Those symptoms might persist and develop into mental disorders like depression, thus reducing the [...]

24 05, 2021

Striatum-Targeted Anhedonia Rapid Treatment (START): a novel transcranial magnetic stimulation paradigm for treating symptoms of anhedonia in depression | Riddle | $38,280

Striatum-Targeted Anhedonia Rapid Treatment (START): a novel transcranial magnetic stimulation paradigm for treating symptoms of anhedonia in depression 2021 Award: $38,280 Anhedonia, the inability to experience pleasure, is notoriously difficult to treat and predicts suicide risk. Thus, novel treatment paradigms are required to address this critical need in psychiatry. In a randomized clinical trial, we investigate a novel treatment paradigm and contribute to scientific knowledge of the neural basis of anhedonia. Need/Problem: Anhedonia, or the inability to experience pleasure, is a core symptom of major depressive disorder that predicts suicide risk and can be exacerbated by some treatments. Symptoms of anhedonia are notoriously difficult to treat, so novel interventions and a better understanding of the neural basis of anhedonia are required. Grant Summary: Patients with major depressive disorder and high symptoms of anhedonia will be recruited to participate in [...]

13 05, 2021

A Pilot Study of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy in Treatment-Resistant Depression: acute changes, duration of effect and predictors of response | McClure | $101,078

A Pilot Study of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy in Treatment-Resistant Depression: acute changes, duration of effect and predictors of response 2021 Award: $101,078 Treatment Resistance in Major Depressive Disorder (TRD) is a common and serious condition with limited therapies available.  Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAT) is a new treatment that may be an effective antidepressant.  We will perform an open-label trial of PAT in TRD to measure acute changes in depressive symptoms after two PAT sessions. We will determine if the improvement in depression persists for four and eight weeks.  We will assess if response continues 6, 8 and 12 months after treatment.   We will determine predictors of acute response and longer duration of effect.  This will: establish feasibility and provide pilot date for larger clinical trial; estimate efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms; determine duration of effect, and; identify predictors of response. Need/Problem: [...]

19 06, 2020

Depression in the Menopause Transition: Stress and Inflammation as Pathways of Risk | Fiacco | $31,107

Depression in the Menopause Transition: Stress and inflammation as pathways of risk 2020 Award: $31,107 In the transition to menopause (perimenopause), depressive symptoms are very common and there is a 2-4 fold increased risk to develop Major Depression (MDD) when compared to the premenopausal stage. Erratic changes in ovarian steroid hormones including estradiol (E2) seem to increase the risk for MDD, especially in women who have experienced recent life stress (e.g., divorce, death of loved one). So far, the precise biological pathways by which high E2 variability and stress lead to MDD are poorly understood. With this project, we will investigate pro-inflammatory processes as one potential pathway of risk. Need/Problem: The menopausal transition is associated with a 2-4 fold increase in risk for major depression (MDD) and other inflammatory diseases, substantial psychosocial stress, and a dynamic ovarian endocrine environment with significant [...]