The Mood Disorders Association of Ontario

"Talk to someone who's been there."

Working Through It

Depression doesn't take a holiday

 

Research Studies and Surveys

Do you suffer from Depression?

The Neurochemical Imaging Program in Mood Disorders at The Positron Emission Tomography Centre (PET) is studying brain changes associated with successful and unsuccessful antidepressant treatment. 

Eligibility:

Clinical assessment and compensation provided.

Please call: (416) 535-8501 Ext.4386
Click here for more information.

Are you over 60 and currently depressed?

The geriatric program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is currently conducting a multi-site research study to examine better ways to treat depression in older adults.

You may be eligible to participate if you are age 60 and older and are currently experiencing some of the following symptoms: 

People who are eligible to participate will be compensated for their time and effort.

For further information contact:
Dielle Miranda
Research Coordinator
Ph # 416-535-8501 ext 3120
Email - dielle_miranda@camh.net
Click here for the flyer.

This study is looking for people with & without a mood disorder to take part in this study in the Hamilton area for the following studies:

1. The "Social Cognition in individuals with Mood Disorders" study - People who have or have had a mood disorders may have difficulty reading the thoughts and feelings of other people. This can affect social interactions and the quality of life. It is important to understand the changes that occur in these conditions to help improve treatment. The purpose of this study is to examine changes in social functioning in people who have been diagnosed with a mood disorder. People between the ages of 18 and 65 will be included in the study. Ninety-six patients who have experienced either major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder and 48 people who have not experienced a mood disorders will take part. This study takes approx. 3 - 5 hours to complete.
For further information please contact Helen at 905-522-1155 ext. 36249 or 35426 or email at: hbegin@stjoes.ca

2. The Computer assisted cognitive remediation in patients with mood disorders study - People who have or have had a mood disorders often complain of problems with attention and memory even after most other depressive or manic symptoms have improved. This can have a negative affect on their quality of life. It is important to understand these problems and attempt to treat these remaining symptoms. The purpose of this study is to look at how well computer assisted cognitive retraining (CACR) works in improving attention and memory skills in people with mood disorders. Healthy controls who do not have a mood disorder will not receive the cognitive retraining but will also have attention and memory looked at for comparison. If you agree to take part, you will be asked complete a minimum of three (3) visits, the first visit, a visit at three (3) months and six (6) months after the first visit. During these visits, you will be asked about your mood state, complete attention and memory tasks as well as some questionnaires. These visits will take about three hours each time. At the beginning of the study and a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) along with a cognitive task will be done by each group.
For further information please contact Helen at 905-522-1155 ext. 36249 or 35426 or email: hbegin@stjoes.ca

3. The "Autobiographical Memory in Individuals with Mood Disorders" study - examines how people recall life events and how they see themselves in the future. People between the ages of 18 and 65 will be included in the study. 48 people who have experienced mood and 24 people who have not experienced an episode of these mood disorders will take part. This study takes an approx. 4 hours to complete.
For further information please contact Helen at 905-522-1155 ext. 36249 or 35426 or email: hbegin@stjoes.ca

4. Prevalence of visceral obesity in patients with depression as assessed by cardiac echocardiograph - looks at weight gain patterns in people 20 - 50 years old with obesity and depression to see if they differ from those of people of similar weight who do not have depression. For participants with depression a weight gain of at least 20 lbs, felt by the subject to be caused by medication is required. We plan to look at chemicals in the blood and saliva related to inflammation and heart disease. Participants will attend 2 visits approximately a half hour each, one to collect blood specimens and the other to complete a cardiac ultrasound so investigators can look at fat distribution around the heart.
For additional information, please contact: Katie at (905) 522-1155 ext. 36783 or email: kwilliam@stjosham.on.ca

All of these studies have been approved by the Research Ethics Board at St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario.

Blue Sky Project:

Blue Sky Project is a nationally-funded treatment research study for young adults (18 to 29 years) who are currently suffering from depression. The purpose of this study is to better understand how genetics and early life experiences work together to increase one's sensitivity to stress. Visit the website www.blueskyproject.ca for more information about the project.

Patients Needed to Speak about Depression Triggered by the Holidays

Has the December holiday season ever triggered a depressive episode or caused or contributed to a relapse into a depression? If so, we would like to hear from you.

We are working on a media campaign on behalf of one of Canada's research-based pharmaceutical companies, in conjunction with the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario. The campaign is aimed at bringing awareness to depression triggered by the holidays, the triggers which can contribute to a depressive episode during this time and how to manage the risks during this season accordingly.

We are looking to identify a patient or patients to share their experience with media. If you are wiling to participate in local media interviews about depression triggered by the holidays or know someone who might be interested in sharing their story, we would be like to hear from you.

To obtain additional details about this opportunity, please contact, Vanessa Principe.
Phone: (416) 924-5700 ext. 4095
Email: vanessa.principe@cohnwolfe.ca

Treatment Resistant Depression: Be Part of a Clinical Trial

We are currently enrolling individuals to investigate "stimulation of neurogenesis" as a treatment for depression and anxiety. BCI-540 is a new investigational treatment for depression and anxiety being studied in Phase II clinical trials at medical centres and clinics throughout Canada to evaluate its safety and effectiveness in people who have not experienced adequate relief from antidepressants. BCI-540 stimulates neurogenesis, a process recently discovered by scientists where the brain produces new brain tissue, and which may be linked to depression. For trial site location and eligibility information, please visit http://clinicaltrials.gov and search for "BCI-540".

Social Anxiety Study

Participants, 18 to 65, are needed for a social anxiety study at the Department of Psychology at Ryerson University. The purpose is to compare two psychological treatments for Social Anxiety Disorder.

Click here for the flyer.
To learn more about the study, please contact 416-979-5000, ext. 2183
www.ryerson.ca/psychology/socialanxietystudy

Depression Clinical Trial

Are you depressed and have not responded to medications?  Are you over age 60? The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is conducting a clinical trial in older adults with treatment resistant depression comparing two types of treatment. 

To find out more about the study please contact: Melissa Daigle, Research Coordinator Telephone: 416-535-8501 x 6434. Click here for the flyer.

Are You over 60 and are currently Depressed?

You may be eligible to participate in a research study if you are not currently taking medication and in good medical health. People who are eligible to participate will be compensated for their time and transportation.

For more information, call 416-535-8501 x7389.
Click here for the flyer.
A Newsday article on the study is attached.

Yoga Study for Bipolar Disorder

The Mood and Anxiety Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is conducting a study investigating a specific type of yoga that has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression. This study will examine whether or
not this type of yoga, in addition to current treatment, will be helpful in reducing symptoms of depression, as compared to psychoeducation. You may be eligible to participate if you are 18-75 years of age, meet diagnostic criteria for either Major Depression, Dysthymia, Bipolar I or II disorder, and are currently taking medications for your disorder. You will remain under the care of your treating physician and remain on all your current medications.

If you are currently experiencing symptoms of depression, please call 416-260-4209 for more information. Click to read the flyer in Word or Adobe Acrobat format.

Bipolar Research Study

Do you have bipolar disorder?
Is your mood elevated?
Are you over 60 years old?

A multi-site study in older adults with mania or hypomania in the context of bipolar disorder, comparing the benefits and side effects of lithium and divalproex (Epival), two commonly used medications that are approved by Health Canada for this condition.

You may be eligible if you:
- Are 60 years of age or older
- Suffer from Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)
- Currently have an elevated mood

For further information contact:
Dielle Miranda
Research Coordinator
Ph # 416-535-8501 ext 3120
Email - dielle_miranda@camh.net

Read the infosheet and flyer.

Women and Depression Study

Researchers at the Women's Mental Health Clinic at the University Health Network are investigating the effects of the menstrual cycle in depressed women and comparing the effects of hormones on treatment response in premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. You may be eligible to participate if you are a woman 18 to 65 years of age, currently depressed, not medically ill, not currently pregnant or breast-feeding, and not taking the birth control pill or hormone replacement.

To find out more about the study please contact: Lana Bradley, Research Coordinator
Telephone: 416-340-4822
Email: Lana.Bradley@uhn.on.ca

New Study - Older Adults with Bipolar Disorder

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is conducting a study in older adults with bipolar disorder examining the relationship between cognitive status and everyday functional activities. To find out more about the study, contact: Dielle Miranda, Research Coordinator Geriatric Mental Health Program Tel: 416-535-8501, ext. 3120
Email: dielle_miranda@camh.net
For the information letter about the study, click here.
Click here for the flyer.

Opioid Study - Do You Have Bipolar Disorder? You may be interested in this...

This is a clinical study that is investigating the effects of a medication on people with bipolar disorder who are currently depressed or currently euthymic (normal mood state), compared to those without bipolar disorder. We are also interested in studying the relationship between some drug effects and levels of the drug in the blood. The study drug is a prescription painkiller. This is not a treatment study. The study involves two days. On the first day you will take the study medication (either placebo or active drug- you won't know which. After this you will be asked to answer a number of questions about how you feel and complete computer tests that test your hand-eye coordination. Blood samples will also be taken. The second study day is exactly the same as the first day, but this time you will receive the study medication (placebo or active drug) that you did not receive on the first day.

If you have bipolar disorder and are currently feeling depressed or you are currently feeling well please contact us for more information. Click here to read the flyer.

For more information contact: Sarah at (416) 535-8501 ext. 6502
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Toronto ON M5S 2S1

Looking for Adults to participate in free individual psychotherapy

Individual Psychotherapy Project
You could qualify for free individual psychotherapy with a registered psychologist. Click here for details.

 

 

© 2009 Mood Disorders Assocation of Ontario.