Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

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 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.

Research on personality disorders (PDs) in older adults is limited despite these disorders being common in this age group and often co-occurring with other mental and physical conditions. Current diagnostic criteria mainly fit younger adults, so this study evaluates new dimensional models for PDs called the Alternative Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD) and the ICD-11 approach. Researchers aim to assess if these models are appropriate and clinically relevant for older adults by comparing younger and older populations and studying older clinical patients. Participants include younger adults (18-64) and older adults (65+) from the general population who complete questionnaires. Older adults in clinical settings with various psychological conditions will also take questionnaires, and a smaller group will undergo clinical interviews. The study uses two main questionnaires: the LPFS-BF 2.0 measuring personality functioning, and the PID-5-BF+M measuring personality traits. Additional standard tests and clinical ratings will be collected in the clinical population. Participants will complete questionnaires in person, with some clinical participants providing informant reports from family or friends. Researchers will analyze questionnaire results for validity, age-neutrality, and clinical utility. The primary outcomes are scores from the PID-5-BF+M and LPFS-BF 2.0 collected about one month after admission, with clinical ratings and additional measures collected during hospitalization and follow-up. The study involves ongoing monitoring to understand PD structure and characteristics in older adults and improve 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 evaluating the effectiveness and safety of lemborexant, a new dual orexin receptor antagonist, in treating adults with mental disorders complicated by insomnia. This observational study focuses on patients aged 18 and above who meet the DSM-5 criteria for mental disorders and have an Insomnia Severity Index score of 11 or higher. The study aims to provide real-world evidence for optimizing treatment plans for insomnia alongside psychiatric conditions. Participants will receive lemborexant tablets taken orally before bedtime, starting at 5 mg per day, which may be increased to 10 mg based on clinical response and tolerance. The treatment period lasts 8 weeks, including a baseline assessment week and 8 weeks of active treatment. Patients who are using benzodiazepine receptor agonists at the start are recommended to gradually reduce and stop these within the first 4 weeks. The study is single-arm and prospective, with all participants receiving lemborexant. During the study, participants will complete various assessments including the Insomnia Severity Index, Sleep Satisfaction VAS, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale at baseline, week 4, and week 8. Researchers will monitor changes in insomnia symptoms, treatment retention, benzodiazepine discontinuation rates, dose adjustments, and adverse events. The total duration of participation is approximately 8 weeks, with follow-up to observe symptom improvement and safety outcomes.

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 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.

Researchers are studying the effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients with major depressive disorder, focusing on both immediate and long-term outcomes. This observational study evaluates patient and clinician ratings of depression symptoms, cognitive function, side effects, and relapse over a six-month period. The goal is to identify factors that predict response, remission, cognitive impairment, and relapse after ECT treatment. Participants receive ECT as part of their clinical care at Haukeland University Hospital or Stavanger University Hospital. The study tracks changes in depression and cognitive function from before treatment to after treatment and again at six months. Measurements include standardized depression scales and memory questionnaires to evaluate treatment effects and cognitive outcomes. During the study, patients complete assessments such as the Montgomery and Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Mini Mental State Examination, and Everyday Memory Questionnaire. Researchers also collect patient-rated and clinician-rated impressions of improvement and overall clinical status. The study includes monitoring of side effects and relapse, with follow-up visits lasting up to six months after treatment. Participation duration varies based on individual treatment schedules and follow-up.

Anxiety and depressive disorders, collectively called emotional disorders, are common and often recur, causing significant challenges in daily functioning. Researchers are studying a modified form of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to treat these disorders across different diagnoses. This 3-year randomized controlled trial conducted in Taiwan aims to evaluate how effective this adapted DBT is compared to usual treatments, and whether its effects vary among specific emotional disorders.

Researchers are evaluating an adapted version of the Helping Ovarian Cancer Patients Cope (HOPE) intervention called HOPE-C, designed to address burnout among gynecologic oncology clinicians. Burnout in these clinicians can negatively impact mental health, professional performance, patient outcomes, and healthcare systems. The original HOPE intervention promotes hope in ovarian cancer patients through positive narratives; HOPE-C tailors these concepts to clinicians by fostering peer support and helping them reframe challenging experiences. The study involves three main objectives. First, clinicians review HOPE-C materials and provide feedback through interviews and questionnaires to help develop the intervention. Next, in a pilot trial, clinicians attend four weekly HOPE-C sessions, each lasting about 30 to 45 minutes, focusing on changing narratives, managing uncertainty, and finding meaning. Before and after these sessions, clinicians complete questionnaires. Finally, clinicians may participate in interviews after completing HOPE-C to further optimize and evaluate the intervention. Participants will be involved in reviewing materials, attending sessions, and completing questionnaires and interviews. Researchers will assess feasibility by tracking accrual rates, intervention completion, and survey completion. They will also measure acceptability, satisfaction, and delivery of the intervention. Data collection occurs at enrollment, during the four-week intervention, and up to two weeks post-intervention. The trial is sponsored by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and includes clinicians working with ovarian cancer patients.