Emotional Disorder

Researchers are evaluating erectile function changes in male patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for either a heart attack or stable angina. The study aims to understand how myocardial infarction affects erectile function over time and to explore whether erectile dysfunction can predict future cardiac events. This observational study compares erectile function between patients with myocardial infarction and those with stable angina using standardized questionnaires. Participants are grouped into two sets: those treated with PCI after a heart attack and those treated due to stable angina. Erectile function is assessed at baseline (after recovery from PCI), and at 3 and 6 months post-procedure using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. Additional assessments include the Beck Depression Inventory and Fear of Cardiac Recurrence and Progression Scale. Researchers also collect clinical data such as cardiac vessel scores, ejection fraction, testosterone levels, body measurements, medication use, and the intervention method. During the study, male participants aged 30 to 75 will complete face-to-face interviews and questionnaires at specified intervals: baseline, 3 months, and 6 months after PCI. The study measures changes in erectile function scores over time and examines associations with cardiac health, depression, and anxiety symptoms. Safety and participation are monitored throughout the follow-up period. The total duration of involvement is up to 6 months, with evaluations focusing on erectile function and related health parameters.

This observational study investigates the relationship between tongue color features and anxiety-depression levels in patients receiving acupuncture. Researchers aim to see if tongue photographs taken with standard smartphone cameras can predict scores on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), which measures anxiety and depression severity. The goal is to explore a new, non-invasive way to assess mental health using machine learning analysis. Participants will have their tongues photographed using an iPhone under standardized conditions to ensure consistent lighting and positioning. They will also complete the MADRS questionnaire during a routine acupuncture visit. No treatments or invasive procedures will be changed or added during the study. The collected data will be analyzed with machine learning methods to identify patterns between tongue color and anxiety-depression scores. During the study, participants only need to attend one visit where tongue images and questionnaire responses are collected. Researchers will measure the correlation between tongue color metrics and MADRS scores at this single timepoint. There are no additional treatments or follow-ups required. The study uses everyday technology to make this assessment easy and accessible in clinical settings, aiming to improve early detection and monitoring of anxiety and depression.

This research aims to evaluate whether creating dedicated HIV teams in hospitals across ten European countries can increase HIV testing rates among patients showing signs of HIV-related conditions. The study uses a stepped-wedge design, where hospitals switch from routine care to the new intervention in sequence. This approach compares outcomes before and after the teams are in place, helping to understand the impact of the intervention across various locations and medical specialties. The intervention involves establishing local HIV teams led by specialists and supported by nurses and data experts. These teams identify patients needing HIV tests through electronic health records, provide feedback to doctors to encourage testing, offer education to healthcare staff about HIV, reduce stigma, and improve connections to prevention and care services. This program integrates smoothly into regular hospital routines and aims to close gaps in HIV diagnosis. Participants' HIV testing rates will be monitored by reviewing records before and after the intervention. Researchers will also assess new HIV diagnoses, changes in testing patterns by country and specialty, and healthcare professionals' knowledge and attitudes toward HIV. The study includes ongoing evaluation of how well the teams operate, resource use, and cost-effectiveness. Data collection extends up to several years to observe long-term effects, with continuous monitoring of care access and prevention services.

Young adults aged 18 to 25 who experience frequent thoughts about killing themselves are the focus of this study, which evaluates the (cost-)effectiveness of Attachment Based Family Therapy (ABFT) compared to Treatment As Usual (TAU). Suicide is a leading cause of death among young adults, and current treatments have limited success. This trial aims to determine if involving family through ABFT can better reduce suicidality and improve outcomes, informing clinical guidelines and care practices in Belgium and the Netherlands. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: the experimental group receives ABFT as an add-on to TAU, which includes treatments like antidepressants, CBT, or DBT, with weekly ABFT sessions lasting about 16 weeks. The control group receives TAU alone, allowing up to four sessions of systemic family therapy. ABFT focuses on strengthening parent-child attachment bonds to provide a supportive base for young adults, involving parents or caregivers actively in therapy. Throughout the study, suicidality is measured at baseline, immediately after intervention, and at follow-ups 3, 6, and 12 months post-intervention using tools like the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire Junior. Researchers also assess depressive symptoms, family functioning, attachment, quality of life, and healthcare costs. The trial includes 138 participants across multiple sites, with double-blind randomized allocation. Safety, adherence, and cost-effectiveness are closely monitored during and after the treatment period.

This research aims to evaluate a 5-session cognitive behavioral program called 1MoreStep, designed for Black women living with HIV who have experienced intimate partner violence in the past two years. The study focuses on teaching skills to access personal and external strengths, safety strategies, knowledge about HIV care and stigma, communication skills to handle stigma, and addressing barriers to HIV care. It also examines the program's acceptability and feasibility among participants. Participants are randomly assigned to either the 1MoreStep intervention or an equal attention control group. The intervention includes seven group sessions and one individual session held weekly, led by experienced facilitators from the Black community. Sessions cover topics such as safety planning, HIV care engagement, stigma communication, and goal setting using cognitive behavioral skills. The control group attends weekly support group sessions that cover general health topics important to Black women living with HIV but not directly related to the intervention's goals. Throughout the study, participants complete assessments at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months to measure changes in safety strategies and HIV care engagement. Measures include surveys, medical record reviews, and interviews to evaluate treatment acceptance, session attendance, and participant experiences. The study spans approximately 6 months post-baseline, with follow-up surveys and qualitative interviews to explore program fit and barriers to participation.

Researchers are investigating the use of 3D resin printed models in anatomy education, focusing on how fractured bone models affect students' decision-making and quiz results. This study aims to evaluate the practicality of these high-quality, detailed resin models compared to standard anatomical models, enhancing hands-on training for wrist fracture rehabilitation. The research is sponsored by Abant Izzet Baysal University and targets educational problems related to anatomical pathological conditions. Participants will receive a 60-minute theoretical lesson on wrist anatomy and fracture pathophysiology. Then, they are randomly assigned to one of two groups: one practices with 3D resin printed fractured wrist models, while the other uses standard anatomical wrist models. Both groups have 2-hour practical sessions scheduled during morning hours to reduce fatigue. The study compares the effectiveness of learning with these two types of models. During the study, participants undergo various assessments including a one-hour clinical test as the primary outcome. Secondary measures include academic motivation, test anxiety, and ease of use questionnaires, each taking about one hour. The study involves training sessions, practical handling of models, and evaluations to understand educational impact. The total study duration and follow-up details are as scheduled by the research team, concluding by October 30, 2025.

Researchers are investigating how the antidepressant citalopram affects the brain's response to emotional information, focusing on the amygdala, a key brain area involved in depression. This study explores how different parts of the amygdala react to positive and negative emotional stimuli, using advanced brain scanning technology to understand the underlying brain mechanisms. Participants will receive a single oral dose of either 20 mg citalopram or a placebo in a randomized, double-blind design. After dosing, participants will undergo high-strength 7T fMRI brain scans while viewing emotional faces. This precise imaging allows researchers to observe how citalopram influences specific subfields of the amygdala during emotional processing. Participants will be screened for medical and psychiatric health before joining. During the study, brain activity and behavioral responses such as accuracy and reaction time during a gender discrimination task will be measured about three hours after dosing. The study includes safety monitoring and lasts for a few hours on the study day, focusing on neural and behavioral outcomes related to emotional processing.

Researchers are studying major depressive disorder (MDD), a mental health condition marked by episodes of depression called major depressive episodes (MDEs). The study aims to find out if levels of an enzyme called PDE4B are lower in the brains of people experiencing an MDE. It also seeks to determine the best scanning time using a radioactive tracer called [18F]PF-06445974, how reliable the scans are, and whether PDE4B levels relate to clinical symptoms. The study also tests if PDE4B binding in the brain can be blocked by the drug apremilast. Participants will undergo up to five clinic visits including screening, physical exams, blood tests, heart function tests, psychiatric assessments, and brain imaging. Brain imaging includes MRI scans and PET scans where the tracer [18F]PF-06445974 is injected intravenously. The PET scan lasts up to four hours with a break. Some participants may have a second PET scan, a lung scan, or receive oral apremilast. Monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and blood sampling during scans is included. During the study, participants answer questions about their mental state and undergo clinical rating scales. Researchers measure PDE4B levels in the brain and assess how these relate to symptoms. Safety monitoring includes checking medical history, ECG, labs, and ability to tolerate scans. The main outcome is measuring PDE4B distribution volume over 36 months. Participants’ usual care continues throughout, and healthy volunteers are also included for comparison.

Researchers are evaluating a community health worker-delivered mental health counseling intervention delivered remotely via a mobile health app to reduce anxiety and depression among people living with HIV in Florida. This pilot randomized controlled trial aims to assess the preliminary effectiveness of this adapted positive affect counseling approach compared to the standard version of the app and usual mental health care. The study is sponsored by the University of Florida and focuses on improving mental health outcomes in this population. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group will receive approximately five weekly 60-minute individual counseling sessions via secure video calls through a modified PositiveLinks app that includes enhanced mental health resources. If symptoms do not improve, participants may be referred to a licensed mental health professional. The control group will use the standard PositiveLinks app, which provides feedback on anxiety and depression symptoms and a list of local mental health resources without counseling. During the study, data will be collected from participants' electronic medical records and the app for about six months after enrollment. Researchers will measure changes in anxiety and depression levels at three months as primary outcomes. Participants will provide informed consent before joining, and there is no masking or blinding in the trial. The study will monitor mental health symptoms and the use of counseling through app data and medical records to evaluate the intervention's preliminary effectiveness.

Researchers are conducting the GENESIS clinical study to map the HLA genomic region in the Greek population and explore its possible links with various underlying diseases. This non-interventional, multicenter study aims to provide a pilot map of genetic variation in HLA that may be useful in medical research and clinical applications related to selected diseases. The study plans to include 12,000 participants over a total duration of 36 months. Each participant will attend one visit at a participating site during which they will provide demographic data, lifestyle information such as smoking and alcohol use, blood pressure measurements, details on diagnosed diseases and treatments, and recent laboratory test results if available. Buccal swab samples will be collected from each participant to extract DNA for HLA genotyping analysis. Selected samples will undergo further whole genome sequencing to investigate associations with autoimmune diseases. Participants will receive a personalized ancestry report after analysis completion. During the study visit, data collection includes demographic and health information, as well as laboratory and clinical test results from the past year. The genetic material from buccal swabs will be stored and processed for genetic analysis. Researchers will measure allele frequency of HLA alleles in the Greek population and assess the prevalence and risk associations of selected HLA-related diseases. The study's total duration is 36 months with results available at the end of this period.