Active clinical trials for "Depression"

This study looks at the biological effect of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) on women's mental health. The mechanisms through which DVA causes mental disorders are very poorly understood. Similar to other demands, DVA activates the biological stress system, of which the chief component is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which produces chemical cortisol. Cortisol levels increase in response to short-term demand and help organisms deal with it by changing the processes of getting energy from food and also mental function. However constant activation of the HPA axis can cause damage and accelerate disease. This study tests the hypothesis that compared to non-abused women all abuse victims have altered diurnal rhythm in cortisol secretion and that the pattern of this alteration is predicted by abuse characteristics, such as its type, severity, duration, and cessation. To examine the hypothesis the following research questions will be addressed: 1) whether cortisol levels are related to mental health state; 2) whether cortisol levels are related to type, severity, duration and cessation of DVA; 3) whether there is any difference in cortisol concentrations between those women exposed to both childhood abuse and DVA and those who have experienced only the latter; 4) whether cortisol levels vary between women, living in refuge and those not living in refuge? To answer these research questions 214 women will be recruited in a domestic violence agency. Baseline and 3-monthly follow-up measures will be taken over 6 months after recruitment. Women will be asked to fill in a questionnaire to evaluate their demographics, health, experience of childhood abuse and DVA. Women's weight and height will be taken. In addition participants will be asked to take three saliva samples: 1st in the evening in bed, 2nd - next morning immediately upon awakening, and the 3rd - in thirty minutes after awakening. Saliva will be collected by chewing (for 2 minutes) the cotton pledget provided with plastic tube and returned by post or via collection by the researcher. Then the saliva samples will be tested for cortisol and cortisone. Results of the study will increase our understanding of the biological mechanisms of DVA impact on a woman's health and tell researchers and practitioners about the possibility of using cortisol as an indicator to diagnose abuse-related health problems and assess effectiveness of medical care for abuse survivors.

Intuitively, the investigators surmise the initial and subsequent viewing of a breast site following mastectomy may be traumatic. A qualitative study on the experience of viewing self in the mirror for a woman who has had a mastectomy has confirmed the experience is unique for each individual, and may well be difficult. This research study aims to determine if these difficult moments may be buffered by a mirror intervention providing women who are scheduled for a mastectomy with a hand held mirror, instructions by a Oncology Nurse Navigator (ONN) on how to use the mirror in initial and subsequent dressing changes, and offering to discuss any concerns or questions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a nursing mirror educational intervention and determine if it is of potential value for women scheduled for a mastectomy. Results from this pilot study will help determine whether the research design, setting, sample, instruments, data collection and data analysis are appropriate and practical for a larger study. Hypothesis Women, ages 18 and over, who have had a mastectomy, and receive a planned pre-operative education and self-reflection intervention will have relatively improved anxiety, body image, depression and emotional well-being scores one to three weeks post-operatively as compared to those who received usual care.

Background of the study: Undergoing an IVF or ICSI treatment is an emotional and physical burden for both the woman and her partner. Most stressful for the couple is waiting for the result of the treatment, the period after the embryotransfer until the pregnancy test or menstruation and an unsuccessful treatment. Symptoms of anxiety and depression have been identified in couples during the waitingperiod after an embryotransfer. For this waitingperiod a short selfhelp copingintervention has been developed based on the stress theory of Lazarus for women to use at home. Goal of the instrument is to stimulate the copingstyle positive reappraisal. Research has demonstrated that using this copingstyle can have a positive impact in health related circumstances.

This study assesses risk factors for depressive relapse in women undergoing fertility treatment with histories of major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar disorder. The study is focused on the acute risk factors of depressive relapse. The investigators hypothesize that risk for depressive relapse will be greater among women who stop antidepressants compared to those who continue treatment with these agents.

This study may help identify how abnormalities in brain systems that control the ability to ignore irrelevant information may contribute to the development of depression in older adults.

The purpose of the study is: to find out how long teenagers getting talk therapy (interpersonal psychotherapy) for depression should get therapy before the therapist decides whether or not the teenager is improving enough, and to compare two ways of providing treatment to teenagers who have not improved enough.

This project assesses the usability and feasibility of a multi-behavioral computerized, tailored intervention (CTI) or expert system delivered via the Internet for veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress symptoms. Three behavioral health risk factors, (1) smoking, (2) depression, and (3) stress, that are associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), are included in the Computerized, Tailored Intervention (CTI) system. The project adapts and modifies an existing CTI system built on the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (TTM) to make it relevant to a veteran population. The system has been successfully utilized with general adult populations. The study utilizes methods that are characteristic of a product development project. Each of the four project phases are sequential and build upon the results of the previous phase. Phase 1 focuses on the review of current CTI programs on smoking cessation, stress management, and depression prevention, and integrating them into a multi-behavioral program for application with veterans. Phase 2 includes the development and adaptation of text-based feedback messages and multimedia components for smoking cessation, stress management, and depression prevention for veterans. Initial testing of the modified CTI programs commences in Phase 3. Cognitive and usability testing with veterans are performed, and additional modifications to the behavioral modules are made based on the test results. Phase 4 focuses on a feasibility study to test the multi-behavioral CTI system with veterans online.

This study will investigate the role of dopaminergic neural systems in the symptoms and treatment of depression. 40 patients who meet DSM-IV criteria for a diagnosis of depression will be compared to a matched sample of healthy controls. The depressed group will receive open label treatment with Bupropion MR (150mg bd) for 6 weeks. The control group will receive no treatment. All participants will be assessed before treatment, after 2 weeks treatment and at 6 weeks treatment. The outcomes assessed will be 1) fMRI estimates of neural response to reward to emotionally valenced stimuli (1st and 2nd assessments), 2) computer based measures of emotional processing (all assessments) and 3) standardised questionnaire measures of depressive symptoms (all assessments). The primary study hypothesis is that altering central dopamine using Bupropion will lead to altered neural responses to rewarding stimuli in the depressed patients (i.e. comparing fMRI outcomes between assessment visits 1 and 2). A secondary hypothesis is that this neural change will predict subsequent symptom response to the bupropion (i.e. comparing symptom scores between assessment visits 1 and 3), Lastly, the study will test the hypothesis that baseline differences in reward circuitry will be particularly associated with symptoms of anhedonia (the inability to experience pleasure).

The morbidly obese frequently present with mood and anxiety disorders, which are often treated with serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRI) antidepressant drugs. The investigators hypothesized that gastric bypass surgery would decrease the absorption of SRI. The investigators also wished to determine whether a reduction in SRI levels would increase the likelihood of worsening depressive symptoms.

RATIONALE: Learning about physical ability and mental function over time in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia may help doctors learn about the long-term effects of treatment and plan the best treatment. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is assessing physical and mental status in older patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia.