Postpartum Depression

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 evaluating the feasibility of a culturally adapted psychosocial intervention to support the mental well-being of Chinese immigrant pregnant women in Canada. This study focuses on women who are at least 22 weeks pregnant, over 18 years old, and speak Mandarin. The intervention is based on the Thinking Healthy Program (THP), a low-intensity psychosocial therapy adapted for Chinese culture and delivered via a mobile app. Participants will use a mobile app offering three modules that cover important topics for mothers and infants during the perinatal period. Each session includes reviewing key messages, mood chart tracking, practicing healthy thinking steps, and suggested activities to complete between sessions. This intervention lasts about three weeks and is designed to be accessible on Android smartphones or emulators. During the study, participants complete questionnaires at the start, 3-4 weeks after beginning the intervention, and again 6-8 weeks after childbirth. Researchers will assess usability and acceptability of the app, recruitment and retention rates, adherence to the program, and preliminary effects on depression and related mental health measures. Some participants may also share their experiences in individual interviews. The total study participation may last around 12 months, including follow-up assessments.

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.

Researchers are studying how symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD) change in people starting treatment with zuranolone, a drug prescribed for PPD. This observational study collects health information without altering medical care, focusing on people in the United States who have a new prescription for zuranolone and were pregnant within the last 12 months. The main goal is to understand changes in depression symptoms using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Participants who receive a zuranolone prescription through Accredo Specialty Pharmacy will be invited to join the study. Before their first dose, they will complete online surveys about their symptoms and background. They must start taking zuranolone within 7 days of joining. Follow-up surveys using the EPDS will take place at days 15, 45, and 90 after starting the medication to track symptom changes and other factors like breastfeeding and medication use. Participants will provide information through multiple online surveys, each taking about 10 to 15 minutes. Researchers will assess changes in EPDS scores at several time points, breastfeeding status during treatment, and medication usage after zuranolone completion. The study aims to gather detailed, patient-reported data over a 90-day period without changing participants' usual medical care.

Researchers are evaluating a culturally-responsive mental health engagement program designed for young adults from racial and ethnic minority groups who are enrolled in community-based mental health services. This study aims to test new components added to the existing "Just Do You" intervention, which previously showed promise in keeping young adults connected to their treatment. The trial focuses on improving engagement and increasing mental health service use among these diverse young adults over a 24-month period. The trial will recruit 80 young adults aged 18 to 34 from minority groups receiving outpatient psychiatric rehabilitation services. All participants will first receive the core Just Do You program, which uses creative arts and a team including a licensed clinician and a peer professional to support recovery and mental health literacy. Participants will then be randomly assigned to one of eight groups receiving different combinations of three new culturally-responsive components addressing cultural identity, motivation, and environmental factors. Each participant's intervention will last up to five weeks. During the study, participants will complete baseline assessments, followed by evaluations immediately after the intervention and at a 3-month follow-up. Researchers will measure participant acceptability, qualitative feedback, adherence to the intervention, and mental health service use. Engagement with child protective services will also be assessed. The study seeks to understand how these new components support ongoing connection to mental health care over an average of two years.

Researchers are studying the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally adapted Manual-Assisted Problem-Solving Intervention (CMAP-SI) for women experiencing suicidal thoughts during the postnatal period. The study focuses on women aged 16 to 44 years in Pakistan, aiming to adapt the CMAP intervention to the local cultural context and evaluate its potential to reduce suicidal ideation in this vulnerable group. Participants receiving the CMAP-SI intervention will engage in a brief problem-solving therapy based on cognitive behavioral therapy principles. The therapy involves 4 weekly sessions followed by 4 sessions every two weeks, each lasting about 50 minutes. The intervention has been culturally tailored with Urdu translations and case scenarios relevant to Pakistani culture, addressing issues such as gender roles, family conflicts, and financial difficulties. The study also includes a comparison group receiving treatment as usual by their primary care physicians. During the study, women will be assessed at baseline and again at 3 months for feasibility and acceptability of the intervention, as well as changes in suicidal ideation, depression, social support, life events, and quality of life. Various validated scales like the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale will be used. Researchers will also collect data on any suicide attempts or self-harm incidents. Safety protocols include recording participants' primary care contacts and treatment details. The total study duration for each participant is at least 3 months from baseline assessment.

This clinical trial studies adults aged 18 to 64 with moderate depression to see if psilocybin causes immediate changes in brain activity related to mood and depression. Researchers compare brain connectivity and blood flow after taking psilocybin versus a placebo to understand its effects on mood regulation. The study is randomized and carefully monitors brain changes using MRI scans. Participants attend two treatment sessions where they receive oral medication and supportive psychotherapy. One group takes a placebo at the first visit and psilocybin at the second, while the other group receives psilocybin at both visits. MRI scans are done after medication but before psychotherapy to observe brain activity changes. Supportive psychotherapy helps create a positive and reassuring environment during treatments. During the study, participants complete various depression and mood assessments up to six weeks after treatment. Researchers measure brain blood flow and connectivity changes within three weeks. Additional tests evaluate depressive symptoms, anxiety, cognitive function, and mystical experiences. Participants must have support at home for 24 hours after treatment and ongoing psychiatric care. The study lasts up to eight weeks, including follow-up assessments to ensure safety and monitor effects.

Researchers are evaluating whether a combination of brain stimulation and cognitive training can improve thinking skills and mood in older adults diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). This study focuses on using repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) along with an immersive virtual reality cognitive training program (iVCT) to see if these therapies together help more than brain stimulation alone or no intervention. The research also looks at effects on mental health, daily functioning, quality of life, and caregiver burden. Participants will be assigned to one of three groups: a control group receiving usual care with no intervention, a group receiving rTMS treatments five days a week for two weeks (total 10 sessions), or a group receiving rTMS followed by 30 to 60 minutes of virtual reality cognitive training each day for the same two-week period. All participants will undergo initial assessments before treatment. During the study, participants will complete evaluations at the start, two weeks after treatment, and three months later to measure changes in cognitive abilities, emotional health, daily functioning, and caregiver burden. Tests include the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test and other questionnaires. The study aims to understand both immediate and lasting effects of these therapies over several months, with total participation lasting about three months.

This research aims to learn more about how zuranolone affects postpartum depression (PPD) symptoms in adults who took the medication within one year after the end of their pregnancy. PPD can cause tiredness, sadness, and loss of interest in daily activities. The study is observational, collecting health information from participants who have already been prescribed zuranolone through CVS Specialty Pharmacy in the United States between June 2025 and May 2026. Participants will be contacted by email or phone after filling their zuranolone prescription to ask if they wish to join the study. Those who agree will complete questionnaires about their symptoms using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and answer other surveys about their health and environment. Participants must take their first dose of zuranolone within seven days of joining. The study will follow them by collecting EPDS scores at baseline, Day 15, and Day 45, which is 30 days after treatment ends. Throughout the study, researchers will monitor changes in PPD symptoms using EPDS scores and assess breastfeeding status during treatment. They will also gather information about medication use before, during, and after zuranolone treatment. Participants will complete surveys independently, and the study focuses on understanding how zuranolone influences PPD symptoms over the 45-day period.

Researchers are evaluating a mentalization-based parenting program called the Lighthouse MBT Parenting Program for parents with various mental disorders who are receiving adult mental health services. This trial compares this program to the usual care provided to these parents. The goal is to study both the short- and long-term effects of this intervention on parenting stress and related outcomes, addressing the high need for evidence-based support for parents with mental health conditions and their children. The study involves two groups: one receives the Lighthouse MBT Parenting Program, which includes a preparatory individual session followed by twelve weekly group sessions of two hours each. The other group receives care as usual, consisting of one or two sessions with family members, commonly offered in adult mental health services. Both interventions are provided alongside the participants' regular outpatient treatment. Participants will be assessed at the start of the study and again at 6, 12, and 24 months after starting the program. The research team will measure parenting stress using a standardized index and evaluate other factors such as children's psychological adjustment, family functioning, quality of life, parenting competence, and the severity of psychiatric symptoms. The study includes careful follow-up to monitor these outcomes over two years.