Blame Rebalance fMRI Feedback Proof-of-concept
Major Depressive DisorderThe investigators have shown that decoupling of brain networks when feeling guilty is the first potential functional neuroimaging biomarker of risk of major depression. It remains detectable on remission of symptoms (Green et al., 2012). Decoupling of neural networks was found while people felt guilty during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) relative to feeling indignation. Guilt-selective brain decoupling is therefore an excellent target for interventions to reduce the largely increased risk of recurrent episodes in people who have had one episode but are currently remitted. To our knowledge, however, there is no proof-of-concept study showing that self-blame-selective decoupling on fMRI can be detected and fed back to the participants after a short temporal delay in a real-time fMRI setting and whether coupling can be increased through neurofeedback training. This project aims at developing the first fMRI neurofeedback system to treat self-blame-selective neural decoupling and to test its feasibility in people with major depressive disorder currently remitted from symptoms.
The Role of Cognitive Control in the Transdiagnostic Conceptualization of "Intrusive Thoughts"
Obsessive-Compulsive DisorderGeneralized Anxiety Disorder1 moreThe investigators are examining whether difficulties with cognitive control (i.e., the ability to stop one's thought process and shift attention) is a common problem across three types of repetitive, negative thinking: obsessions (as seen in obsessive compulsive disorder, OCD), worries (as seen in generalized anxiety disorder, GAD), and ruminations (as seen in major depressive disorder, MDD).
"Prevention and Treatment of Depression in the Elderly: A Population-Based Study"
Subsyndromic Symptoms of DepressionSubsyndromic Symptoms of AnxietyConsidering the rapid increase of the elderly population in Brazil and the growing impact of depression, the third cause of global burden of diseases in the world, the relevance of depression prevention and treatment in older people tend to raise in future years. The investigators planned to screen 2,700 individuals, 60 years and older, from Basic Health Units in the west region of Sao Paulo city, for subsyndromic depressive and / or anxiety symptoms. The elderly will be assessed with a standardized psychiatric interview to calculate the prevalence of subsyndromic symptoms of depression and / or anxiety and the prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders. Those who do not meet criteria for depressive disorders and / or anxiety will be invited to participate in a randomized clinical trial with 2 arms: a stepped-care prevention program with physical activity (n = 35) or usual care (n = 35). The primary outcome measure will be the cumulative incidence of major depressive disorder, or anxiety disorders, after 12 months.
Screening for Depression and Anxiety in Patients With Heart Disease
DepressionDepressive Symptoms6 moreDepression is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality in patients with heart disease, and has a negative impact on quality of life, work capacity and treatment adherence. Screening for depression among heart patients are therefore recommended by the Norwegian Health Authorities. Also, symptoms of anxiety may negatively affect rehabilitation due to e.g. fear of physical activity and excessive worry. Patients currently receiving treatment for heart disease at Diakonhjemmet Hospital will be screened for symptoms of depression and anxiety. If such symptoms are detected, patients will be offered a counselling session with a clinical psychologist. Further, routines for collaborative communication between clinical psychologist, cardiologist and the patient's general physician will be emphasized.
Investigation of Seasonal Variations of Brain Structure and Connectivity in SAD
Seasonal Affective DisorderMajor Depressive Disorder1 moreSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a subtype of Major Depressive Disorder, characterized by a recurrent temporal relationship between the season of year, the onset and the remission of a major depressive episode. Estimates of the annual prevalence state that 1-6% of the population will develop SAD with the larger prevalences found at greater extremes in latitude. SAD is most likely triggered by the shortening photoperiod experienced in the winter months leading to a deterioration of mood. Recent cross-sectional neuroimaging studies have found cellular and neurotransmitter changes in response to seasonality, ultimately having an impact on the affect of patients. Conversly, this study aims to investigate the changes in neurocircuitry related to depression and euthymic states. Patients with SAD offer a unique ability to study these changes since they have predictable triggers for the onset of depression (i.e. the winter months) and remission (i.e. the summer months).
Pupillary Unrest in Ambient Light, and Relationship to Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression
Opioid; IntoxicationPerception Disturbance (Acute)4 moreVolunteers will receive a weight-based opioid (remifentanil) infusion for 10 minutes. In the first run, serial pupillary measurements (pupillary unrest, pupil diameter) will be taken at baseline, and at 2.5-minute intervals during the infusion and a 25-minute recovery period afterwards. After a washout period, the experiment will be repeated in each subject (second run). The two runs differ only by presence versus absence of verbal interaction.
Recovering Damaged Cells for Sequelae Caused by COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2
Sequelae of; InfectionPost Infection Glomerulonephritis18 morePost-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause multiple system function disorders, and complicated symptoms last for an extended period. The virus can cause this continued infection, or the virus causes immune system function disorder and post-infectious autoimmune disease. The clinical symptoms can be smell loss, taste loss to liver function disorder, kidney function failure, different. No matter how complicated the systems showed in the clinic, all of the symptoms are due to the specific cells being damaged. Our clinical study is focused on recovering the damaged structure and function of the cells that could restore the organ function back to normal or close to normal
Treatment of Intrapartum Depression Using Non-invasive Photobiomodulation
DepressionPregnancy Related1 moreDepression during pregnancy can cause fetal and maternal problems such as growth restriction, preterm labor, low birthweight, poor compliance and suicide. Since antidepressant medications have the potential to harm the baby, but since treatment of intrapartum depression is essential to maternal and fetal wellbeing, a non-pharmacological approach would be ideal. This project seeks to apply infrared light noninvasively to depressed patients during pregnancy in order to treat depressive symptoms through alteration of mitochondrial function and modulation of neural cell receptors.
Behavioral Change in the Mother-Infant Dyad: Preventing Postpartum Depression
Postpartum DepressionPostpartum depression (PPD) is undertreated and the consequences of this are substantial for women and children. Studies show that infant cry/fuss and sleep behavior are associated with PPD, and that parenting interventions can change infant behavior, yet these findings have never been applied to PPD. In this study, the investigators are teaching parenting skills to increase infant nocturnal sleep and reduce fuss/cry behavior to women likely to develop PPD to see if the investigators can prevent the onset of this disorder.
Pilot Study of a Self-help Intervention for Depression in Patients With a Chronic Disease
DepressionDiabetes Mellitus Type 21 moreA feasibility pilot trial of the self-help, "Cognitive behavioural therapy" based "Living Life to the Full" Materials for use by patients with diabetes type 2 and / or coronary heart disease.