RESEARCH
OPPORTUNITIES
(information updated April 2006)
Rush University Medical Center is conducting two studies sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) looking at how mental illness passes from one generation to another. One is studying Bipolar Disorder and the other Major Depression. Subjects must be screened and meet criteria and able to participate in a 3-4 hour interview. Bipolar subjects must be 16 or older and have some knowledge of their biological family history. Those with depression must be 19 or older, have a sibling or parent (who need not participate) with depression also. Both studies require an interview and the donation of a small amount of blood. Compensation is offered to those who complete both. For more information or to be screened for eligibility, call
Diana Marta or Dr. Michael Purcell at 1-888-820-3395
University of Illinois Chicago, Dept of Psychiatry 912 S. Wood St, Chicago, IL, a specialty clinic for treating the initial manifestations of psychosis for ages 12 and up.. Diagnostic & clinical procedures: multi-disciplinary evaluation, inpatient care and follow-up, cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy and support groups, psycho-educational and rehabilitation programs, psycho-pharmacology consultation.
For further information, please contact:
Kelly Morso, MSW (312) 996-6557
The Asher Center at Northwestern University Medical School Department of Psychiatry is recruiting participants for 2 studies
· Depakote vs. Placebo: Clinical trial for patients with Bipolar Disorder who are currently depressed. Age 18-60 with diagnosis of bipolar Type I or II, nonrefractory and non-psychotic, with no other mood stabilizing drugs. Contact: Amber Bauer 312-695-2200.
· Galantamine vs Placebo: For patients with bipolar disorder who are currently experiencing symptoms aimed to improve cognitive function. Patients can remain on their current medications. Age 18-60 with diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder, any subtype and report of difficulty with memory by patient. Contact:
Jenelle Fleck 312-695-2200.
Midwest Center for Neurobehavioral Medicine, Oakbrook Terrace, is conducting studies of anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, & schizophrenia under the direction of Dr. Joseph Fanelli. Please call:
(630) 705-1501
The University of Chicago is conducting a genetic study of bipolar disorder (manic-depression), funded by the National Institutes of Health. Participants are reimbursed $75 for their time and blood test. No travel is required. We are seeking: individuals who are diagnosed or have all the symptoms of bipolar disorder OR individuals who are diagnosed or have all the symptoms of bipolar disorder AND immediate family members with depression, mania, or mood swings. Please call our study line at:
(866) 51-GENES/ (866) 514-3637
email: family@yoda.bsd.uchicago.edu
website: ucfamily.org
American Medical Research, Inc. (AMR) conducts inpatient and outpatient Phase I-IV Clinical Trials at sites in Oak Brook, Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, Crest Hill and Joliet. Currently recruiting patients for the following research studies: Major Depression, Bipolar Depression, Schizophrenia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Treatment Resistant Depression, and many other studies. Eligible patients will receive all study drugs, evaluations, and study related procedures at no cost. In addition, eligible patients will receive compensation for study participation. For information on current Studies send email to ptr@AmericanMedicalResearch.com and for information on Future Studies send email to ns@AmericanMedicalResearch.com
Call Toll-free – 1-866-NEW-MEDS (1.866.639.6337)
ON LINE at
www.AmericanMedicalResearch.com
Children’s Memorial Hospital is conducting research for two studies:
· On children 13-17 with schizophrenia. Care will be provided at no expense. Responsible person must accompany the child to all visits, provide information and dispense medication.
· Children & Adolescents with Bipolar I Mania - males or females ages 10-17 diagnosed with Bipolar I mania or displaying symptoms such as: changes in mood, thinking, behavior or physical condition; no significant medical illness, including seizure disorders, a responsible person must be available to accompany the adolescent to all visits, provide information and dispense study medications. Study participants receive: monitoring medication safety and efficacy, comprehensive physical and psychiatric examinations, laboratory procedures, electrocardiograms (ECGs), and study medication at no charge.
For more information contact:
Study Coordinator (773) 880-4936
Comprehensive Neuroscience, Hoffman Estates, is testing new medications for schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Ross. For more information CALL:
Philip Carona (847) 252-7300 x227
National Institute of Mental Health is investigating the genetic linkage of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and invites families with one or more members who have experienced OCD to complete a questionnaire packet, a telephone interview and a blood sample. Participants are compensated. Contact:
Diana Toll-free – 1-866-644-4363
NIMH Genetic Study of Schizophrenia
The Schizophrenia Research Program at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda Maryland is seeking healthy adults diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (depressed type) to participate in a two-day outpatient study. Travel and lodging assistance is provided and a stipend. This study seeks to identify the genetic and environmental factors that increase the risk of developing schizophrenia. The procedures include confidential interviews, a blood draw, neurological exam, neuropsychological testing, neuroimaging, and recordings of brain waves. Siblings are also invited to participate in these procedures and parents are invited to give a sample of blood if possible. For more details, call the toll-free schizophrenia studies referral line at
1-888-674-6464 (TTY: 866-411-1010).
NIMH seeks Volunteers for 6-month Schizophrenia Study
The Schizophrenia Research Program at the National Institute of Mental Health is conducting a six-month inpatient research study of the neurobiological causes of schizophrenia in Bethesda, Maryland. The program involves extensive psychological, psychiatric, neurological, and medical evaluations, and neuroimaging. Participation involves a period of time without medications. Throughout their stay in the research program, participants receive expert, personalized care, and are encouraged to participate in the clinical milieu that provides educational programs, recreational and occupational therapy, art and music therapies. Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 55, be diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and be free of significant medical/neurological illnesses and active substance abuse. There is no charge to participate. For more details call the NIMH schizophrenia research referral line at
1-888-674-6464
Genetic Study of Schizophrenia
Researchers at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Research Institute and Northwestern University are searching for the genes that cause schizophrenia. Identifying these genes may enable development of better treatments.
Dr. Pablo Gejman, Principal Investigator, is seeking individuals with schizophrenia and their parents to participate. Participants give a blood sample and undergo a clinical interview. Volunteers will be reimbursed for time and any expenses.
For more information, call toll-free
Martha L. Sanders, Coordinator
(866) 636-8228
The Center for Cognitive Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago is conducting research on “Oculomotor & Spatial Cognition Deficits in Schizophrenia”. Eligibility: ages 12-55; major psychiatric disorder at or near illness onset, chronic schizophrenia, or unipolar depression with or without psychotic features; medially stable, no significant history of alcohol or substance abuse; no contraindications to MRI. Procedures include: diagnostic procedure and clinical measures; eye movement testing, and possibly functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) procedure. Location: clinical interviews, neuropsychological tests and eye movement studies are conducted at the Center for Cognitive Medicine, 912 S. Wood St , Chicago and Brain Imaging studies are performed at the Center for MR Research at the UIC Medical Center, 180 W. Taylor St, Chicago. Participants will be compensated accordingly for each of the studies completed. For more information call:
(312) 413-8736