View clinical trials related to Mood Disorders.
Filter by:Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a technique used to investigate the functional activity of the brain. The PET technique allows doctors to study the normal biochemical and metabolic processes of the central nervous system of normal individuals and patients with neurologic illnesses without physical / structural damage to the brain. When a region of the brain is active, it uses more fuel in the form of oxygen and sugar (glucose). As the brain uses more fuel it produces more waste products, carbon dioxide and water. Blood carries fuel to the brain and waste products away from the brain. As brain activity increases blood flow to and from the area of activity increases also. Knowing these facts, researchers can use radioactive chemicals (H215O) and PET scans to observe what areas of the brain are receiving more blood flow. Patients diagnosed with mood disorders and healthy volunteers will receive positron emission tomographic (PET) scans with H215O while doing simple tasks. Patients will continue to receive scans while in different mood states and while taking different medications. Patients eligible for this study will be participating in other research studies measuring other clinical and biochemical parameters (mood and anxiety ratings, medication responses, and psychological test results). Information gathered from H215O PET scans measuring blood flow to specific brain areas will be compared to the data gathered from other studies. Objectives of this study are; 1. To determine differences in blood flow to the brain of patients with mood disorders compared to healthy volunteers. 2. To determine differences in blood flow to the brain of patients with subtype mood disorders (such as unipolar versus bipolar) compared to healthy volunteers. 2. To determine changes in blood flow to the brain of patients with mood disorders who experience spontaneous changes in symptoms 3. To determine changes in blood flow to the brain of patients with mood disorders who receive various kinds of therapy (medication, transcranial magnetic stimulation, etc.) 4. To determine if blood flow to specific areas of the brain can be used to predict how patients will respond to certain types of therapy 5. To compare blood flow changes with various other clinical and biochemical parameters.
The normal menstrual cycle is produced by a series of hormonal signals that starts with the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is located in the brain and is often referred to as the master gland. GnRH then acts on the pituitary gland and causes it to release two hormones, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and lutenizng hormone (LH). LH and FSH act on the ovary and cause it to release the hormones directly involved in menstruation, estrogen and progesterone. The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity as measured by pituitary hormones, FSH and LH in response to intravenous doses of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) in menstrual cycle-related hormones.
The purpose of this study is to investigate mood and behavior changes in the time period surrounding and including menopause. This is an observational study; volunteers who participate will not receive any new or experimental therapies. Controversy exists regarding the relationship between estrogen and progesterone (gonadal steroid) changes and midlife-onset depression. This study will examine the role of gonadal steroids in perimenopausal mood and behavioral disorders. Perimenopausal women with depression symptoms and a control group of healthy perimenopausal volunteers will be compared to identify correlates of the occurrence of depression. Participants with depressive symptoms may also participate in companion studies that will test the antidepressant efficacy of phytoestrogens and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMS). A group of younger pre-perimenopausal women with normal menstrual cycle functioning will be followed through menopause in an effort to confirm the association of depression onset with changes in reproductive endocrine functioning.
This study will allow researchers to use various types of tests to evaluate cognitive and sensory functions. These tests, referred to as "batteries" will evaluate attention, executive functions, general intellectual functioning, language, memory, motor functions, orientation, personality, selected sensory and perceptual functions, vigilance (alertness), and visual-spatial functions. Children and adult patient will receive different test batteries. The goals of this research study are to; 1. Create descriptions based on the performance of each patient on the test batteries. Then use this information to relate patient behavior to their neurophysiological, neuroradiological, and biochemical descriptions. 2. Define subgroups of patients based on their neurobehavior in order to decrease the variability of psychiatric diagnoses, treatments, and prognoses.
The purpose of this study is to identify and describe the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Women who experience PMS symptoms will complete clinical interviews, self-rating scales, and evaluations of mood and endocrine function. A subgroup of women with severe PMS (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder or PMDD) will be offered additional research studies that focus on: 1) identifying the endocrine changes that may be responsible for changes in mood and behavior during the premenstrual period, 2) evaluating treatments for PMS symptoms, and/or 3) identifying genetic factors in women with and without PMS. Women with recurrent brief depression will also be recruited to serve as a comparison group.
This research study is the continuation of a study started more than 20 years ago. The study was designed to explore the effect that depressed parents have on their children and to better understand the factors that contribute to depression development and maintenance. The study will continue to investigate if children have certain characteristics in early and middle childhood that predict the later development of psychological disorders. In addition, the study will continue looking at the processes responsible for the development of children of parents with and without affective (mood) disorders.
This study will examine the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids, compounds found in plants and fish, in treating bipolar disorder. Some studies have indicated that omega-3 fatty acids may be effective in treating mood disorders. For example, one investigator has shown a correlation between the prevalence of major depression and the amount of fish consumed per capita worldwide. Others have found decreased amounts of EPA (one of the active ingredients in omega-3 fatty acids) in the red blood cells of patients with major depression. And a recent small study of patients with bipolar illness indicated that omega-3 fatty acids prevented relapses, especially of depression, in patients. Patients with bipolar disorder who are not benefiting satisfactorily on their current medications are eligible to participate in this study. Candidates will be screened with a psychiatric evaluation, routine blood tests, a urine test and other tests needed to monitor medications. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group will receive 6 grams of omega-3 fatty acid every day for 16 weeks; the second will receive a placebo (inactive capsule). In addition, patients in both groups will continue to take their previous medications. Every 2 weeks, all patients will have their vital signs checked and be evaluated for side effects and mood changes. At the end of the 16-week study period, all patients will be given the opportunity to continue in the study for another 8 months and receive active drug (omega-3 fatty acid). Patients who continue will be evaluated once a month and will have blood drawn on the last visit for routine tests.
This study is investigating the effects of hormone replacement therapy on memory, mental abilities and mood in older adults aged 65-90. During the nine month long study, men will take testosterone for three months and women will take estrogen for three months. At four points during the study (once every three months), participants will complete a test battery and have blood drawn.