
A Trial of Dextromethorphan for Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder
Major Depressive DisorderA proof-of-concept study to determine the antidepressant potential of Dextromethorphan for treating depression associated with Major Depressive Disorder in inpatients.

Abbreviating Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Depressive and Anxious Symptoms
AnxietyDepression1 moreSymptoms of depression and anxiety are extremely prevalent in the population. Unfortunately, patients often face barriers to accessing mental health care, particularly psychotherapeutic interventions, including long wait-times and demanding therapeutic protocols. For instance, Mindfulness-Based Therapy (MBT) has demonstrated effectiveness at decreasing symptoms of depression and anxiety, and improving wellbeing; however, 'traditional' MBT can demand over 30 hours of clinical time, and 50-60 hours of homework, all of which can be barriers to care. The goal of this project is to test the effectiveness of an Abbreviated MBT (<10 hours of clinical time and <10 hours of homework) in reducing symptoms of depression/anxiety and improving wellbeing. If effective, this Abbreviated MBT could reduce barriers to accessing mental health care.

Student Outcomes of Integrative Mental Health Services
AnxietyDepression2 moreThe study will compare the impact of Child STEPs (see Weisz et al., 2012) versus usual school-based therapy on students' mental health and school-related outcomes, and test whether changes in school outcomes are mediated by changes in student mental health.

Measurement-based Care for Depression in Resource-Poor Settings
Major DepressionDepression is often the most prevalent mental health problem among people living with HIV (PLWH) worldwide, and if not adequately treated, it may impair response to antiretroviral treatment (ART) and the ability of individuals to adhere to medications and healthy behavior. Most patients with depression receiving ART in the poorest countries of the world are left untreated because no systematic approach or expertise is available. This study adapts an evidence-based model of depression care (Measurement-Based Care - MBC) using auxiliary HIV clinic staff, and tests feasibility and assesses costs among HIV positive patients beginning ART in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Dynamic Learning in Depression
DepressionThis study will assess learning bias (the tendency to learn more from negative relative to positive outcomes) at baseline in 3 groups of participants (currently depressed, previously depressed and never depressed). It will then try to modify this bias using a simple computerised training task completed at home daily for 2 weeks. Outcome measures include symptoms of depression, cognitive measures (i.e. accuracy and reaction time during completion of tasks), pupillometry measures and salivary cortisol.

tDCS in the Prevention of Relapse After Electroconvulsive Therapy
DepressionWhile electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in major depression is effective, high relapse rates and cognitive side effects limit its long-term use. There is no consensus about optimal continuation pharmacological treatments after a ECT course. Adjunction of tDCS to pharmacological continuation treatment after ECT may decrease relapse rates.

Reducing Maternal Depression and Promoting Infant Social-Emotional Health & Development
Maternal Depression and Parent PracticesPostpartum1 moreA mobile remote coaching program study to improve maternal mood and increase parenting practices that lead to better infant social-emotional and communication outcomes

A Study of ALKS 5461 for Treatment Refractory Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Major Depressive DisorderThis study will evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of adjunctive ALKS 5461 in adults who have treatment refractory MDD.

Using the LENA System in Early Intervention - b
DepressionThis project will determine whether an intervention to enhance communication between infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities and their depressed mothers can be integrated into federally-funded Early Intervention (EI) services. Participants will be mothers with depressive symptoms whose children are receiving EI services, along with their EI service providers. The investigators will conduct a small feasibility trial using the Language ENhancement Assessment/intervention system (LENA), a technology-supported language monitoring system, with 10 mothers and one of their child's EI service providers. The LENA uses an infant or toddler garment with an integrated audiotape system that records adult speech centered on the child, child vocalizations, and reciprocal parent-child turn-taking conversations. The LENA software produces visual feedback that a mother can use to focus her language interactions with her child. They study will follow participants in the LENA with feedback intervention over 6 weeks: 5 weeks of LENA data collection (with mothers running the system 1 day/week for 16 consecutive hours). The investigators will analyze data from measures on LENA communication data (adult word count, child vocalizations and conversational turn-taking), and measures of child language, maternal depressive symptoms, and child disability profiles.

Brexpiprazole for Bipolar Depression
Bipolar DepressionThe investigators will conduct an 8-week, non-randomized, open-label study of brexpiprazole in 20 persons with bipolar I or II disorder, depressed mood state. Primary aim will be to assess if brexpiprazole is associated with a reduction in depressive symptom severity using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Secondary aims will include an assessment of the following in patients with bipolar disorder taking brexpiprazole: manic symptoms, cognition, safety and tolerability of brexpiprazole, and quality of life. Subjects will be discontinued from the study if any of the following conditions occurs: change in diagnosis to other than bipolar I or II disorder, development of active suicidal or homicidal ideation with plan and intent, worsening of mood symptoms, that in the opinion of the investigators requires discontinuation, pregnancy, development of severe life-threatening medical condition, involuntary psychiatric hospitalization or incarceration.