Depression & the Brain Research Study
Researchers at McLean Hospital are partnering with individuals who have a history of depression to better understand depression and the brain. Join our compensated study today!
Fast Facts
depression now OR in the past 5 years
not currently taking psychiatric medication
18-45 years old
Compensation Provided
Conducted in the greater boston area
Study Background
The goal of our study is to understand the role of specific naturally occurring chemicals in the human brain. If you think you may currently be depressed, or if you’ve experienced a depressive episode in the past 5 years, you may qualify to participate.
This study investigates the brain structure and activity of adults with a history of depression and examines the brain processes associated with decision-making in a laboratory setting. This study also examines the activity of a chemical in the brain called nociceptin.
Your participation in this study may help researchers improve treatment approaches for depression. Advance research today and join our compensated study!
Study Background
The goal of our study is to understand the role of specific naturally occurring chemicals in the human brain. If you think you may currently be depressed, or if you’ve experienced a depressive episode in the past 5 years, you may qualify to participate.
We are asking participants to come in for two visits, one of which will take place at McLean Hospital for 4-5 hours and the other at MGH for 4 hours. During the visit, you will complete a set of surveys, urine drug screen, a PET scan with blood draws, and an interview on your life experiences in the past year.
Your participation in this study may help researchers improve treatment approaches for depression. Advance research today and join our compensated study!
Additional Information
This is an observational study which aims to help us better understand how brain regions/neural markers are affected in depression. We will look at decision making, reward processing, and nociceptor activity.
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Key Criteria:
- Current symptoms of depression OR
- Had a depression episode in the past 5 years
- 18-45 years old
- Right-handed
- Not currently taking any psychotropic medication
- Not diagnosed with OCD, anorexia, autism, personality disorders, depression with psychotic features
- No cocaine/stimulant/opioid use disorder
This study involves five visits: three virtual sessions and two in-person scans.
The first is a 2-3 hour Zoom visit to look over the consent form and meet with the study clinician.
The second is a 6 hour MRI/PET imaging visit that will also include a urine drug screen, pregnancy test (if female), blood draws, and computer tasks.
The third is a 4 hour PET imaging visit that will include blood draws.
The fourth and fifth are 6- and 12-month Zoom follow-up visits. These visits will be 2 hours each and include questionnaires and a clinician interview.
After each of the last three sessions (i.e., the PET imaging and the two follow-up sessions), participants will complete daily smartphone surveys for 3 weeks.
