Teen Depression Research Study
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham are examining biomarkers for depression and suicidality in teens 11-19. Join our compensated study today!
Fast Facts
11-19 years old
Depressed OR no psychiatric conditions
Compensation Provided
Conducted in Birmingham, AL
Study Background
Suicide is a major public health crisis, and it is the 2nd leading cause of death worldwide among individuals ages 10 to 24. Unfortunately, our ability to accurately predict suicidal thoughts and behaviors among teens remains remarkably limited. Thus, there is an urgent need for biomarkers that can identify risk. This study will investigate genetic markers that might be associated with risk of adolescent suicidality.
Both teens with depression and teens with no history of psychiatric conditions are needed for this study. Your participation may help researchers better understand these biomarkers to improve medical and psychiatric care in the future. Further research today and join our compensated study!
Study Background
Suicide is a major public health crisis, and it is the 2nd leading cause of death worldwide among individuals ages 10 to 24. Unfortunately, our ability to accurately predict suicidal thoughts and behaviors among teens remains remarkably limited. Thus, there is an urgent need for biomarkers that can identify risk. This study will investigate genetic markers that might be associated with risk of adolescent suicidality.
Both teens with depression and teens with no history of psychiatric conditions are needed for this study. Your participation may help researchers better understand these biomarkers to improve medical and psychiatric care in the future. Further research today and join our compensated study!
Additional Information
The purpose of our research study is to identify biomarkers for depression and suicide in teenagers so we can better understand the links to improve medical and psychiatric care in the future.
Teens who meet the following criteria may qualify for this study.
Inclusion Criteria:
- 11-19 years old
- Physically healthy
- Depression or no psychiatric diagnoses
Exclusion Criteria:
- Pregnant or nursing
- Use of hallucinogens (except cannabis), meth, or cocaine in the last 2 weeks
- Chemotherapy
- Lifetime history of psychotic disorder
- Alcohol or drug use disorder (except nicotine/caffeine) in the last month
- Bipolar disorder
- Pervasive developmental disorder
- Cognitive disorder
- DSM-5 paranoid, schizoid, or schizotypal personality disorders
- Anorexia nervosa
If eligible, this study consists of two in-person visits or one Zoom visit and 2 in-person visits.
- First visit: surveys and assessments to confirm you meet inclusion criteria, a urine sample, blood draw (15ml), and surveys/assessments to collect medical and psychiatric data. If you are in the group with no psychiatric conditions, this will be your only visit. Visit 1 takes 2-3 hours.
- Second visit: 6 weeks later and will be a repeat of the first visit. This visit will take approximately 1.5 hours.
