Research Projects
An Examination of Psychomotor Disturbance in Current and Remitted MDD
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious public health problem that has, at best, modest treatment response.One way to parse the heterogeneity is to investigate the role of particular features of MDD, an endeavor that can also help identify novel and focal targets for treatment and prevention efforts. Psychomotor disturbance (e.g., psychomotor agitation [PmA] and retardation [PmR]) has long been viewed as a particularly pernicious feature of MDD, and yet we know surprisingly little about these behaviors.
Our study will take a Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) approach by comparing the three groups on multiple indicators of PmR and PmA to better understand slowing and agitated movements that are characteristic of depression, and determine if these movements occur only in active depression, or are also present in individuals whose depression has remitted. We will also evaluate the brain basis for such behaviors, and examine if these abnormalities in movement change over time as currently depressed individuals recover, or as remitted individuals relapse. Taken together, understanding these movement abnormalities may lead to path-breaking early detection strategies, that help to predict the course of depression, and inform treatment strategies.
Study participants can earn up to $800.
Social Processes and Phone Use in Adolescent Depression
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide and has a peak onset during adolescence. While interventions are moderately effective for many adolescents, 40 to 70% will relapse within 5 years. MDD relapse predicts academic difficulties, risky behaviors, and even suicide. It is critical that we identify mechanisms of MDD relapse in young people, so that we may develop targeted interventions for this vulnerable group.
Social processes and dynamics (especially with peers) are particularly significant in adolescence, though it is currently unclear which social processes are most critical to MDD relapse. The goal of our study is to utilize multiple innovative methods from neuroscience to mobile technology to identify which social process(es) contribute to recurrent depression – an approach that will inform novel methods of treatment and prevention for adolescents.
Teens may earn up to $494. Parents will be compensated $25 for their time.
Family Study of Threat and Reward
Smoking and Threat Sensitivity
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