|
Below
are some research projects that require the participation
of individuals with mental illnesses and, occasionally,
their family members. We all know that research is crucial
for improved understanding, treatment, prevention, and
the ultimate cure of serious brain disorders such as schizophrenia,
bipolar disorder, and other conditions. But participation
in a research project may involve some risks to the volunteer.
Therefore, if you are interested in participating in one
of these studies, make sure that the following questions
are asked and answered:
-
What is the study about?
-
What will you be asked to do in the study?
-
Is this research project approved by the institutional
review board (IRB)?
-
What risks might you face?
-
Who do you contact with questions, concerns, or problems?
-
How will you be kept informed about the progress and
results of the study?
You
should feel that you fully understand the project and
your role in it before signing an informed consent document.
Also
see Protection of Research Volunteers
In addition to the specific studies listed below, you
can go to the U.S.
National Library of Medicine’s link to federally
and privately funded studies worldwide.
Researchers:
Do You Want to Post a Research
Study Volunteer Request on the NAMI-NYS Website?
Please
email submissions to: info@naminys.org
General research about mental illness:
-
The Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston
University is conducting a research study to explore
the ways in which mental health providers can promote
recovery from disabling mental illnesses. The center
is inviting consumers, providers, and providers with
a mental illness to participate in the study. Participants
are asked to fill out a brief and anonymous online survey.
The survey may take 15 to 30 minutes to complete and
the answers will be used to help enhance professional
practices that promote recovery from mental illness.
If you would like to participate in this study the survey
can be accessed at www.bu.edu/sarpsych/recoverysurvey/.
For additional information about this research study
contact: Dr. Zlatka Russinova at 1-617-353-3549 or by
email: zlatka@bu.edu.
-
The Division of Psychiatric Neuroimaging at the Johns
Hopkins School of Medicine is studying brain structure
and function in individuals with specific conditions.
To qualify for the study you must: be between the ages
of 18 and 50, be able to have an MRI, have been diagnosed
with either schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and not
have other problems such as, a history of brain injury,
mental retardation or other conditions that may affect
the brain. Meeting the above requirements does not automatically
qualify you for participation. Further screening is
involved. Participation in the study involves: having
1 or 2 MRI scans, paper and pencil tests, and a psychiatric
interview. You will be paid up to $100 for your time.
If you are interested in joining this study or have
any questions, please contact Stacey K. King, Research
Program Coordinator at (410) 955-6690, stacey@jhmi.edu.
Schizophrenia
or Schizoaffective Disorder:
-
Classifying
Schizophrenia: Leukocyte Multigene Signatures. A new
study, funded through a research grant awarded by
the NIMH, is being conducted at The Nathan Kline Institute
in Orangeburg, New York.
We
are seeking to recruit men between the ages of 18
and 75 who have symptoms that may indicate schizophrenia
but have never taken anti-psychotic medications. Symptoms
may include: hearing voices; thoughts broadcast or
controlled by others; suspicion that others are out
to hurt you, or have hurt you in the past; unusual,
odd, or bizarre thoughts; reduced emotions or lack
of normal feelings, or the opposite; excessive concern
over bodily health; or unusual hostility or being
easily angered or irritated.
This
study is looking for biological markers of schizophrenia
in blood, and is not a treatment study. Participation
involves one or, if necessary, two sessions with the
research team. During these sessions we will perform
a standard diagnostic interview and draw about 3 teaspoons
of blood. Participation should take no longer than
3 hours in total and participants will be compensated
$30 per visit for their time and inconvenience. To
learn more about the study, please contact Caroline
Streicher at the Nathan Kline Institute, at (845)
398-5520.
-
Laboratory of Human Neurogenetics at Rockefeller University
seeks individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective
disorder. Both biological parents must also participate
with an interview and blood drawing. Annamae Conry,
1-888-920-9100 (toll-free), then press 5; or email:
conrya@rockvax.rockefeller.edu
-
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine: Schizophrenia, schizoaffective
disorder, or bipolar disorder in Ashkenazi Jewish families:
Study focuses on a population with less genetic variation
than the general population because of a limited number
of ancestors and a history of marriage within the faith.
Any individual with one of the diagnoses may participate.
Participation of parents and any affected siblings is
highly desirable. Ann Pulver 888/289-4095 (toll-free)
or e-mail: familystudy@jhmi.edu
-
National Institute of Mental Health: Outpatient study
involving individuals with schizophrenia and at least
one sibling with or without schizophrenia. In addition
to an interview and blood draw for genetics studies,
participants have neuropsychological testing, brain
imaging, a neurological exam, and recordings of brain
waves and eye movements. NIMH can assist with lodging
and travel expenses, and families receive compensation
for the extensive testing. Visit http://cbdb.nimh.nih.gov/
for further information. Contact: Mary Weirich, 1-888-674-6464
(toll-free) or email: weirichm@intra.nimh.nih.gov
-
The Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, specializing in
the field of schizophrenia, is conducting a six-month
inpatient research study at the National Institutes
of Mental Health, a pre-eminent facility, in Bethesda,
Maryland. The program is free of charge, involving extensive
diagnostic evaluations, medication-free studies, neuroimaging,
psychological and neurological testing. Compassionate,
competent staff also offers art therapy, educational
groups, and occupational/recreational therapy. Participants
must be between the ages of 18 and 65, be diagnosed
with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and
be free of significant medical/neurological illnesses
and active substance abuse. For more information, please
call: Anne Riley, Ph.D. at 301-594-0874 or call toll-free
at 1-888-674-NIMH (6464) or e-mail: anne.riley@nih.gov;
or Web site: http://cbdb.nimh.nih.gov/inpatient
-
NIMH Genetic Study of Schizophrenia Protocol # 95-M-0150
- The Schizophrenia Research Program at the National
Institute of Mental Health located at on the campus
of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland,
is seeking healthy adults diagnosed with schizophrenia
or schizoaffective disorder (depressed type) to participate
in a two-day outpatient study. Travel and lodging assistance
is provided and a stipend is also given to participants.
This study seeks to identify the genetic and environmental
factors that increase the risk of developing schizophrenia.
The procedures include confidential interviews and a
blood draw, a neurological exam and neuropsychological
testing, neuroimaging, and recordings of eye movements
and brain waves. Siblings are also invited to participate
in these procedures and parents are invited to give
a sample of blood if possible. For more details, call
the toll-free schizophrenia studies referral line at
1-888-674-6464 (TTY: 866-411-1010) at NIH, Department
of Health & Human Services.
- NIMH
Seeks Volunteers for Six-Month Schizophrenia Study -
The Schizophrenia Research Program at the National Institute
of Mental Health specializes in the field of schizophrenia
and is conducting a six-month inpatient research study
of the neurobiological causes of schizophrenia at the
National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.
The program involves extensive psychological, psychiatric,
neurological, and medical evaluations, and neuroimaging.
Study participation involves a period of time without
medications. Throughout their stay in the research program,
participants receive expert, personalized care, and
are encouraged to participate in the clinical milieu
that provides educational programs, recreational and
occupational therapy, and art and music therapies. Participants
must be between the ages of 18 and 55, be diagnosed
with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and
be free of significant medical/neurological illnesses
and active substance abuse. There is no charge to participate.
For more details, call the schizophrenia research referral
line at 1-888-674-6464.
-
Research Participants Needed for a University of North
Texas Dissertation Research Study on The Symptoms of
Schizophrenia Interfering with Academic and Social Success
- Study participants need to be individuals who developed
schizophrenia between the ages of 12 and 22, their parent,
and a teacher or professional who has worked with them
closely. Each participant will need to be interviewed
by the researcher for 2 hours. The purpose of this study
is to identify those symptoms and behaviors that interfere
with academic and social success and that which increases
or decreases those symptoms and behaviors. The ultimate
goal is to use this information to design special education
interventions for teachers to use in working with this
population to increase the students’ ability to
complete their education and be more successful in the
community. This is the first study of its type to be
conducted in the field of special education. Participants
have the opportunity to be part of innovative and groundbreaking
research that could be of great help to individuals
with schizophrenia. If you are interested please contact:
Paula Flint, M.Ed. at 817-451-0606 (home) or nerdflint@aol.com
-
Treatment Studies for Early Onset Schizophrenic Spectrum
Disorders - McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA is conducting
two experimental drug treatment studies of children
and adolescents who suffer from psychosis. The studies
will examine the short and long term effects of different
medications.Benefits of participation in these studies:
a comprehensive psychiatric and medical evaluation conducted
by staff at McLean Hospital, a full year of antipsychotic
medication with close monitoring, and psychoeducation
and support by a team of skilled clinicians who have
extensive experience working with these children.We
are looking for males and females ages 8-19, who have
at least one active psychotic symptom (peculiar fantasies,
delusions, hallucinations, cognitive disorganization)
or are diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder
and are in good health.
- Study
#1 – TEOSS (Treatment of Early Onset Schizophrenic
Spectrum Disorders) - This study is funded through
the National Institute of Health and compares three
medications, risperidone (Risperdal), olanzapine
(Zyprexa), and molindone (Moban). Over a full year
children are assessed for clinical benefit, cognitive
improvement, and overall health. Subjects must be
willing to be tapered off of any antidepressants
or mood stabilizers prior to starting treatment.
If interested, please contact Emily Gerstein at
617-855-3694, egerstein@mclean.harvard.edu.
-
Study #2 – An Open Trial of Ziprasidone in
Youth – This study will assess the effectiveness
of one medication, ziprasidone (Geodon). Every subject
will receive the ziprasidone treatment. For this
study, subjects do not need to be weaned off antidepressants
or mood stabilizers. If interested, please contact
Katrin Seifert at 617-855-2880, kseifert@mclean.harvard.edu.
Reimbursement
– For both studies, subjects will be reimbursed
up to $310 for their time
over the course of the year.
-
NIMH Genetic Study of Schizophrenia- The Schizophrenia
Research Program at the National Institute of Mental
Health located at on the campus of the National Institutes
of Health in Bethesda Maryland is seeking healthy adults
diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
(depressed type) to participate in a two-day outpatient
study. Travel and lodging assistance is provided and
a stipend is also given to participants. This study
seeks to identify the genetic and environmental factors
that increase the risk of developing schizophrenia.
The procedures include confidential interviews and a
blood draw, a neurological exam and neuropsychological
testing, neuroimaging, and recordings of eye movements
and brain waves. Siblings are also invited to participate
in these procedures and parents are invited to give
a sample of blood if possible. For more details, call
the toll-free schizophrenia studies referral line at
1-888-674-6464 (TTY: 866-411-1010) at NIH, Department
of Health & Human Services.
Bipolar
disorder:
-
The Bipolar Genetic Study at Columbia University is
looking for families with at least two living members
who have had a manic episode. 1-888-219-2140 (toll-free)
or 1-212-543-2147, email: bipolar@pi.cpmc.columbia.edu
and visit Web site at www.bipolar.hs.columbia.edu.
-
National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research
Program, National Institutes of Health, Department of
Health and Human Services. Looking for families with
two or more siblings with bipolar illness. Diane Kazuba,
toll-free, at 1-866-NIH-GENES (1-866-644-4363), or email:
kazubad@intra.nimh.nih.gov
-
NIMH: Adults with Bipolar Disorder and Depression -
There are opportunities to participate in clinical trials
exploring the research effects of novel therapeutics
compared to placebo for the treatment of depression
and bipolar disorder. Several of these trials look at
treatment-resistant mood disorders. Volunteers over
the age of 18 may be eligible. The studies are conducted
at the National Institute of Mental Health, National
Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human
Services, in Bethesda, Maryland. Atendemos pacientes
de hable hispana. Call 301-496-5645 or 1-866-627-6464
(TTY: 1-866-411-1010).
-
NIMH Child and Adolescent Bipolar Disorder Study - The
National Institute of Mental Health is seeking boys
and girls ages 6 to 17 to participate in a study of
bipolar disorder in children and adolescents. The study
includes a five-day outpatient assessment and infrequent
research follow-up visits over four years at the NIH
Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD.
-
Participants must be: -In treatment with a psychiatrist
for bipolar disorder
-On stable medications for the first 6 weeks of
the study
-Able to fill out daily self-rating forms and cooperate
with study procedures (including genetics studies,
MRI, psychological testing, and others)
- A
thorough evaluation at NIMH is provided free of charge.
Travel and lodging expenses are paid for by NIMH. For
more information, call 301-496-5645 (TTY: 1-866-411-1010).
-
NIMH Children and Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder
- The National Institute of Mental Health is conducting
a study for treatment-resistant bipolar disorder.
-
Participants will receive:
--Clinical and psychological assessments (including
an inpatient assessment during which children will
be withdrawn from medication)
-Treatment with clozapine or placebo
-Brain imaging (no radiation)
-
Participants must:
-Be between the ages of 8 to 17 with bipolar disorder
-Not have done well on lithium, sodium valproate,
carbamazepine, and at least one of the newer neuroleptics,
as well as a combination of two of these medications
-
All procedures are free of cost. Travel expenses
are paid for. Call Robinder Bhangoo, M.D., or Ellen
Leibenluft, M.D., at (301) 496-8381 or (TTY 1-866-411-1010).
Depression
(Unipolar, Recurrent, etc.):
- NYSPI/Columbia University Seeking Study Participants
If you are depressed and between age 18-65, you may be eligible for a research study involving brain imaging and medication treatment at no cost to you at the New York State Psychiatric Institute/Columbia University. 5 months of outpatient treatment for Major Depressive Disorder will be provided to study participants at no cost. Participation in the study can help further understanding of depression and speed the recovery of others who suffer from depression in the future. Inpatient treatment is also available. For more information, please call Maggie at (212) 543-1427 or go to http://depression-studies.org .
-
NIMH-funded multi-site study of recur rent, early onset
depression is seeking families in which two siblings
have recurrent depressions. The first major depression
must have occurred before age 30 in one sibling and
before age 40 in the other.
-
Johns Hopkins University site: Sylvia Simpson, 1-410-614-1017,
email: sylsimp@jhmi.edu
- Rush
Presbyterian - St. Luke's Medical Center: Diana
Marta, 1-312-563-2843, email: Diana_H_Marta@rush.edu
- University
of Iowa: Sandra Boutelle, 1-877-578-8845 (toll-free)
or 1-319-353-4347, email: boutelle@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu
-
University of Pennsylvania: Kathleen Murphy-Eberenz,
1-877-407-9529 (toll-free) or 1-215-746-5153, email:
kme@mail.med.upenn.edu
-
University of Pittsburgh: Wendy Zubenko, 1-877-485-7568
(toll-free) or 1-412-624-2327, email: wzubenko+@pitt.edu
-
Washington University School of Medicine: Family sibling-pair
study (non-clinical / non-treatment study) on the genetic
and environmental factors associated with depression.
Call 1-888-292-1210 or visit Washington University School
of Medicine Study on Recurrent Unipolar Depression to
request further information.
-
The Depression Research Clinic at Stanford University
- The Stanford University Depression Research Clinic
in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
is currently conducting several studies evaluating the
effectiveness of new and investigational treatments
for depression. If you are bothered by depression nearly
every day, are 18 years or older, in good physical health,
and are able to attend weekly appointments at Stanford
between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, you may be eligible. All of the studies involve
an initial phone screen, during which time research
staff will ask you questions to determine eligibility,
explain the studies for which you may be eligible, and
answer any questions that you may have. Participation
is free and all calls are confidential. If you would
like more information, please call the research study
line at 650-723-8330.
Obsessive-compulsive
disorder:
-
National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research
Program, National Institutes of Health, Department of
Health and Human Services. Looking for families with
two or more siblings with OCD. Diane Kazuba, toll-free,
at 1-866-NIH-GENES (1-866-644-4363) or email: kazubad@intra.nimh.nih.gov
- A
new research study is being conducted at Nathan Kline
Institute in Rockland County, New York, by William Greenberg,
M.D. Thirty-two volunteers, ages 18 to 55, are being
sought, to help determine if adding an extra daily oral
supplement to their current treatment will help relieve
Obsessive-Compulsive symptoms. The main part of the
study is a 12-week double-blind period involving monthly
visits, during which participants will remain on their
current treatment (medication and/or psychotherapy),
and in addition take either the investigational study
treatment or an inactive placebo. After this 12-week
double-blind phase, all participants who wish to continue
with the study will definitely receive the investigational
treatment (no placebo) for another 12-week period. This
study is supported by a research grant awarded from
the Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation. Those interested
should call Joanna Doerfer, at (845) 398-2183, for more
about eligibility criteria and other information. You
may also visit http://www.rfmh.org/nki/
for more information and additional research opportunities.
Other:
-
Participants must be 7 to 17 years old with: -Chronic
abnormal mood (severe anger, sadness or irritability)
--"Hyper" behavior (easily distracted,
physically active, trouble sleeping, fast thoughts/speech)
-Trouble handling frustration (severe temper tantrums
and rages)
- Problems
must be present for at least one year and have started
before age 12. Evaluation and participation provided
are free of charge. Travel expenses are paid. For
more information, call 301-496-5645 (TTY: 1-866-411-1010)
-
NIMH Funded Genetic Study of Anorexia - Researchers
at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have
been chosen to lead the first ever, government-funded
genetic study of Anorexia Nervosa. The international,
multi-site collaboration is looking for 400 families
that are eligible to participate in the research study.
The purpose of the study is to find regions of the human
genome that contain genes that influence the risk for
anorexia. If there are 2 or more people in your family
who have or have had anorexia, call 1-888-895-3886 or
visit www.angenetics.org.
For
more information about protection of research volunteers
or research volunteer opportunities,
please choose from the topics below:
Advances
in Research | Protection
of Research Volunteers
|
