Actively Recruiting
MicroRNA Correlates of Childhood Maltreatment and Suicidality
Led by University of Alabama at Birmingham · Updated on 2026-03-30
450
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
352 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This is a research study to find out if childhood trauma and stress are associated with depression or suicidal risk. The study will assess the effects of both short-term and long-term stress on biomarker (e.g. miRNA \[MiRNA\]) levels. miRNAs are a type of RNA (genetic material that is translated into protein) that are found in throughout the body and blood. They are called microRNA because their size is much smaller than typical RNA molecules. miRNAs are highly responsive to environment. This responsiveness is reflected in their expression in individuals who are affected by environment such as stress. The investigators are gathering genetic material, including DNA and RNA, from each participant. The RNA will be taken from the small vesicles and cells in the participant's blood and analyzed. The vesicles are small objects that occur normally in the blood and that contain RNA. This information may help us to understand the cause of mental illness and to improve medical and psychiatric care in the future. There will be 450 participants enrolled in this study.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
MicroRNA Correlates of Childhood Maltreatment and Suicidality
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 18-60
- Physically healthy
- Willing and able to provide informed consent
- Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder or no history of mental illness
You will not qualify if you...
- Pregnancy or lactation (women of reproductive potential must have a negative urine pregnancy screen)
- Post-partum state (within 2 months of delivery or miscarriage)
- Homicide risk as determined by clinical interview
- Lifetime history of psychotic disorder
- Any history of dissociation or dissociative disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Pervasive developmental disorder
- Cognitive disorder
- Cluster A personality disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Anorexia nervosa
- Alcohol or drug dependence (except nicotine and caffeine) within the last month or use of hallucinogens (except cannabis) in the last month
- Recent myocardial infarction
- Unstable angina
- Active neoplasm in the past 6 months
- Immunosuppressive or corticosteroid therapy within the last month (except inhaled, intranasal, topical or vaginal corticosteroids)
- Chemotherapy
- Head injury with loss of consciousness in the past 6 months
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35233
Actively Recruiting
2
UAB Huntsville Regional Medical Campus
Huntsville, Alabama, United States, 35294
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Allison Stewart, BA
CONTACT
R
Richard C Shelton, MD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
6
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