Below you will find a list of research studies related to bipolar disorder that you may be eligible to contribute to by participating. Each research opportunity is an example of the hope, support, and dedication to ensuring those with bipolar disorder lead a successful, full, and healthy life.
Please send any direct questions to the contact listed for each individual study. Your feedback is a valuable contribution to their work!
Reducing Suicide Risk in Adolescents and Young Adults via a Psychobehavioral Intervention to Regularize Daily Rhythms and Improve Brain Circuitry Functioning
About this study:
The purpose of this study is to advance a non-pharmacologic suicide preventive intervention with wide dissemination potential as an innovative high-yield solution to reduce suicide rates. This is a randomized research study designed to provide self-directed strategies to reduce mood symptoms and suicide risk and includes advanced MRI scanning
Eligibility Requirements:
16-29 years old
Have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or depression
Have a history of 1 or more suicide attempts and/or a score of at least 3 on the SSI
3 in-person visits to Yale University, New Haven CT US
some exclusions apply
Contact:
Bernadette Lecza, MS
Phone: (203) 737-2868
Email: [email protected]
or
Erin Carrubba, LPC
Phone: (203) 737-2507
Email: [email protected]
Learn More
Recover Study
About this study:
One out of three people with bipolar depression have what is called ‘treatment resistant’ depression, or ‘difficult-to-treat’ depression. Even if several types of treatment haven’t worked for you – or have not worked well enough – there is still a chance that something else will.
The RECOVER Study is a research study that will provide new information about how helpful the VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation) Therapy® System is for bipolar patients with depressive episodes that have been difficult to treat.
Requirements:
Be 18 years or older, diagnosed bipolar and currently be depressed
Have bipolar depression that has lasted for at least two years or recurred several times
Have tried at least four treatments and not found them helpful
Must be receiving at least one mood-stabilizing medication
To find out if you qualify or for more information, click here.
Cognitive Training for Emotion Regulation
About this study:
"When I am upset, I often act without thinking." "I react impulsively to my feelings." "When I feel down, sad, or depressed, I often think: 'Why can’t I get going? Why do I always react this way?”
Do any of these things describe you? If so, you may be interested in this research study at the University of California, Berkeley. The goal of this study is to test a new “brain training” program that involves using computer-based tasks to practice certain mental skills related to emotional processing.
Eligibility Criteria:
18-65 years old
A California resident
Fluent in English
The study involves up to 3 assessments, including in-person and remote components, while you complete the training program, which involves 8 training sessions over 4.5 to 7 months with a coach from our research team. Compensation is up to $220 if you finish the study. You will also have access to our training program at no cost.
Learn more about the study and qualify, here.
The COMPARE Study
About this study:
For this study, 518 adults with unipolar or bipolar depression will be randomized into two groups. One will have eight sessions of behavioral activation therapy with a community therapist via video or telephone. The other group will participate in weekly, hour-long yoga classes that will be available online in real-time.
We also want to find out whether certain types of people will do better in one or the other treatment, depending on characteristics such as the severity of their depression, gender, age, or personal preference. This study is currently recruiting new participants.
Eligibility Criteria:
Be 18 years of age or older
Have symptoms of depression or sad mood
Be able to read English or Spanish (Minnesota residents must read English)
Live in Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, or Rhode Island
Learn more about the study and enroll, here.
ACT for Subsyndromic Depression in Bipolar Disorder
About this study:
The goal of this clinical trial is to test the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a psychotherapeutic treatment for patients with Bipolar Disorder (BD). The following questions will be investigated:
The efficacy of ACT in reducing depressive symptoms in patients with BD.
The efficacy of ACT in improving the quality of life in patients with BD.
The efficacy of ACT in improving functionality in patients with BD.
The efficacy of ACT in improving sleep quality in patients with BD.
The efficacy of ACT in improving psychological flexibility in patients with BD
Eligibility Criteria:
Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder type I and II according to DSM V
Presence of depressive symptoms (MADRS>12)
Not undergoing psychotherapy
Availability to attend group therapy sessions
Signing the TCLE
Location:
São Paulo, Brazil
Contact:
Tatiana Khafif, Master's Degree
Email: [email protected]
A Novel Peer-Delivered Recovery-Focused Suicide Prevention Intervention for Veterans With Serious Mental Illness
About this study:
Suicide is a major public health concern, particularly among Veterans with serious mental illness (SMI, i.e., psychotic disorders or bipolar disorders). Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) is a well-established evidence-based practice for those with SMI that centers on identifying warning signs of mental illness, developing wellness tools for functional independence, planning for day-to-day effective living within one's community, and building an action plan to create a valued life worth living. This proposed study will refine and pilot Suicide Prevention by Peers Offering Recovery Tactics (SUPPORT), a novel integrated recovery program that is an adaptation of peer-delivered WRAP for Veterans with SMI. In SUPPORT, a Peer Specialist leads a Veteran at increased risk for suicide through recovery planning that is tailored to the Veteran's suicidal experiences with cognitive learning strategies to enhance safety plan recall and improve functioning.
Eligibility Criteria:
Veteran Inclusion Criteria:
Veterans who report present suicidal ideation (i.e., Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) > 2 ("Active thoughts of killing oneself") in past 1 month and/or a suicide attempt in the prior 3 months as identified by the C-SSRS
Current SMI diagnosis (i.e., schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood disorders with psychotic features, bipolar disorders)
Capable of informed consent via the University of California San Diego Brief Assessment of Capacity to Consent (UBACC)
Peer Specialist Inclusion Criteria:
Certified Peer Specialist employed at VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) in the Mental Health Care Line (individuals must demonstrate competency in basic suicide screening and referral procedures to be certified)
2-3 years of experience post certification as a Certified Peer Specialist
Interest in being trained in SUPPORT
Provide verbal or written consent for the research staff to discuss ability to participate in the study with the Peer Specialist's direct clinical supervisor
Direct clinical supervisor agreement to allow the Peer Specialist to participate. This includes the Peer Specialist's direct clinical supervisor agreement to allow the Peer Specialist time as part of their current scope of practice to 1) participate in the full day (8-hour) SUPPORT training, 2) participate in weekly 1-hour group supervision for the duration of the Peer Specialist's time in the study, and 3) take on a case load of at least one SUPPORT Veteran at a given time.
Location:
San Diego, California
Contact:
Samantha A Chalker, PhD
Email: [email protected]
Ketogenic and Nutritional Interventions for First Episode Bipolar Disorder
About this study:
This is a randomized, controlled clinical trial to assess the effects of the ketogenic diet in combination with treatment as usual on brain energy metabolism and psychiatric symptoms in individuals with first episode bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder.
Requirements:
Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder.
Between the ages of 40-79.
Without major current medical or neurological condition or contraindication to MRI.
Location:
Belmont, Massachusetts
Contact:
Jacey Anderson, B.A.
Phone: 617-855-3988
Email: [email protected]
Evaluation of the Genetics of Bipolar Disorder
About this study:
Bipolar affective disorder is a severe, heritable condition affecting about one percent of the population. The mode of inheritance is poorly understood and probably involves multiple loci of small to moderate effect. In this project, we use genetic mapping and sequencing methods to identify genetic markers and variations that contribute to the risk of bipolar disorder. Individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder are studied, along with their relatives. Phenotypic information obtained from clinical interviews and family history is correlated with genotypic information obtained from genetic marker and sequencing methods. The goal is to identify genes involved in bipolar disorder and related conditions so that better methods of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention can be developed.
Eligibility Criteria:
Age > 18 yr
Able to provide informed consent
Bipolar disorder or related conditions not attributable to substance abuse, neurological disease; or a 1st or 2nd degree relative of an enrolled participant. Related conditions are defined as those found more often among relatives of people with bipolar disorder or which have been shown to be genetically correlated with bipolar disorder through molecular genetic studies. These include major depression, schizophrenia, panic disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Able to safely provide a blood or saliva sample
Location:
Bethesda, Maryland
Contact:
Emily Besancon
Email: [email protected]
