Welcome to the Bipolar Disorder Studies Page

CURRENT STUDIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU

Multi-Modal Study - Non-bipolar

Do you have periods (at least 3-5 days) where you act without thinking, become easily irritated, feel frustrated when things don’t go your way, or feel excited when you may win a contest? Or, do you have any first-degree relatives that may have a history of Bipolar Disorder? You may be eligible for a research study to observe the effects of medication on brain activity in adults.

Bipolar Disorder

Healthy Volunteer

Other Mental Health and Behavior

Age Range

Duration

DURATION: up to 1 year & additional follow up through 2029

VISITS: 5-6

Location

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian & Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC).

Compensation

COMPENSATION: up to $1350, with additional payments for follow-up visits

Pathways to Understanding: Learning from Loss

Are you the parent/legal guardian of child who died by suicide? You may be eligible for a research study at the University of Pittsburgh to learn more about risk factors for youth suicide. Compensation is provided.

Bipolar Disorder

And 4 more areas

Age Range

AGE: 18 and older

Duration

DURATION: up to 4 hours

VISITS: 1 or more if preferred

Location

LOCATION: Zoom videoconference

Compensation

COMPENSATION: $50 for completion of the interview and questionnaires

Sleep Enhancement Research Study

Do you experience poor sleep? Do you have symptoms of anxiety and depression? You may be able to participate in a research study examining the effect of acoustic stimulation during sleep in young adults with a range of anxiety and depression symptoms. Compensation is provided.

Bipolar Disorder

Eating Disorders

And 4 more areas

Age Range

Duration

DURATION: 4-7 weeks

VISITS: 4 in-person visits (including 2 overnight visits)

Location

LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh – Center for Sleep and Circadian Science

Compensation

COMPENSATION: Up to $530

Multi-Modal Study - Bipolar Disorder

Have you been diagnosed with, or suspect that you may have, Bipolar Disorder? You may be eligible for a research study to observe the effects of medication on brain activity in adults with and without Bipolar Disorder. If you qualify to participate in the study, pictures of your brain will be taken using 3 types of scanners. Compensation is provided.

Bipolar Disorder

Age Range

Duration

DURATION: up to 1 year

VISITS: 5-6

Location

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian & Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC).

Compensation

COMPENSATION: up to $1750

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

KEYSTUDY – Parents with Bipolar Disorder

Do you have bipolar disorder? Are you the parent of a 12-17-year-old? You and your child may be able to participate in research study focused on early intervention and referrals for children at risk for developing mental health disorders due to their family history. This study involves assessments, interviews, questionnaires, and sessions with a study therapist. Compensation provided.

Bipolar Disorder

Featured Research

Remote Research

Age Range

AGE: 18 and up

Duration

DURATION: 18 months

Location

LOCATION: Videoconference or Bellefield Towers

Compensation

COMPENSATION: Yes

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

KEYSTUDY – Age 18

Do you have a parent diagnosed with bipolar disorder? Are you 18 years old? You may be able to participate in a research study focused on early intervention for young people who are at risk of developing mental health disorders due to their family history. This study involves assessments, interviews, and online sessions with a study therapist. Compensation provided/no in-person visits required.

Bipolar Disorder

Featured Research

Healthy Volunteer

Remote Research

Age Range

Duration

DURATION: 18 months

Location

LOCATION: Videoconference or Bellefield Towers

Compensation

COMPENSATION: Up to $818

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

MyPaTH Story Booth 2.0

Interested in sharing your story about health, illness, or research? Patients and caregivers are needed to participate in a research study to help learn more about topics that are important to you and that may improve health and health care. Participation involves one 45-minute session that takes place over the phone. Eligible participants must be able to read and understand English.

And 155 more areas

Age Range

AGE: 18 and up

Duration

DURATION: 45 minutes

VISITS: 1 visit or phone call

Location

LOCATION: By phone

Compensation

COMPENSATION: NONE

Neurofeedback for Borderline Personality Disorder Study

Are you 18-55 years old and been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to find out if an intervention called neurofeedback can improve symptoms in people with borderline personality disorder. Participation involves interviews, questionnaires, and MRI scanning. Compensation provided.

Bipolar Disorder

Eating Disorders

And 4 more areas

Age Range

Duration

DURATION: 3 months

Location

LOCATION: Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic

Compensation

COMPENSATION: $230

Ketogenic Diet Study

Have you been diagnosed with bipolar disorder? Are you 18-40 years old? You may be eligible for a research study to examine the effects of a ketogenic diet (high fat, low sugar diet) on the brain in people with bipolar disorder. Compensation is provided.

Bipolar Disorder

Featured Research

Precision Medicine

Age Range

Duration

DURATION: Up to 1 year

VISITS: Up to 19 study visits, 2-3 hours each

Location

LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh - Main Campus

Compensation

COMPENSATION: Up to $1,190

Project IMPACTS - Parent of Teen 14-17 struggling with suicidal thoughts

Are you the parent of a teen between the ages of 14 and 17 years old who use social media regularly? Does your teen struggle with suicidal thoughts? Your child may be eligible for a research study about social media, brain processing, suicidality, and mental health. You (parent) will be asked to answer questionnaires and complete and interview about your child. Compensation is provided.

Bipolar Disorder

And 7 more areas

Age Range

AGE: Parent of teen 14-17

Duration

DURATION: 6 months

VISITS: 4 visits

Location

LOCATION: Bellefield Towers, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, and/or Online and via Videoconference

Compensation

COMPENSATION: YES

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Strengthening Disability Benefit, Work & School Services in Early Psychosis- Adults 18+

Researchers in Pennsylvania, Maryland & New York are conducting a research study to understand more about youth and young adult decisions and experiences related to work, school, and disability benefits both while receiving early intervention services and after discharge. Participants and graduates of early intervention in psychosis programs aged 18 and older are eligible to participate.

Bipolar Disorder

Other Mental Health and Behavior

Age Range

AGE: 18 and older

Duration

DURATION: 12-18 months

VISITS: 3 to 5

Location

LOCATION: Online

Compensation

COMPENSATION: up to $300.

Strengthening Disability Benefit, Work & School Services in Early Psychosis - Family

Researchers in Pennsylvania & Maryland are conducting interviews to deepen our understanding of family member perspectives on factors influencing the outcomes of individuals with early psychosis, and barriers and opportunities in early psychosis services.

Bipolar Disorder

Age Range

AGE: 18 and older

Duration

DURATION: 60 minutes

Location

LOCATION: Online

Compensation

COMPENSATION: Participants will be compensated $60 for their involvement.

Using Plants and Photography to Reduce Stress

Do you experience stress that impacts your daily life? Are you a student at University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon, or Carlow University and have free admission to Phipps Conservatory? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a research study developing a stress reduction program.

Bipolar Disorder

Healthy Volunteer

And 4 more areas

Age Range

AGE: 18 and older

Duration

DURATION: 2.5 hours

Location

LOCATION: Phipps Conservatory

Compensation

COMPENSATION: $10

Project IMPACTS - Parent of teen 14-17

Are you the parent of a teen who uses social media and struggles with mental health? Your child may be eligible for a research study about social media, brain processing, suicidality, and mental health. You (parent) will be asked to answer questionnaires and complete and interview about your child. Compensation is provided.

Bipolar Disorder

And 6 more areas

Age Range

AGE: 18 and older

Duration

DURATION: 6 months

Location

LOCATION: Bellefield Towers, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, and/or Online and via Videoconference

Compensation

COMPENSATION: YES

Threat Dysregulation in Adolescents at Risk for Psychosis – Healthy 18-20 years old

Are you a healthy 18-20 year-old young person who has no history of any psychiatric, drug use, or alcohol use disorder? You may be able to join a research study to learn more about why some young people experience symptoms such as hearing or seeing things that others do not, having beliefs which others do not share, and/or having other unusual experiences. Compensation is provided.

Bipolar Disorder

Eating Disorders

And 6 more areas

Age Range

Duration

DURATION: 12 months (baseline visit, 6 month, and 12 month)

VISITS: 3 in-person visit and activities from home

Location

LOCATION: By Phone, Online, & 230 McKee Place - Oakland

Compensation

COMPENSATION: up to $825

Diamond 3 Brain Study - Adults with Family History of Bipolar Disorder

Are you an 18-30 year old with a family history of bipolar disorder? You may be eligible for a research study to examine the structure and function of the brain in young people with and without family histories of mood disorders. Compensation is provided.

Bipolar Disorder

Featured Research

Healthy Volunteer

Precision Medicine

Age Range

Duration

DURATION: About 18 months

VISITS: 8 in-person study visits

Location

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital & UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic - Oakland

Compensation

COMPENSATION: Up to $575 with bus/parking reimbursement

Threat Dysregulation in Adolescents at Risk for Psychosis - 18 - 20 year olds

Are you 18-20 years old and having unusual or extraordinary experiences such as hearing voices, having beliefs that other people do not share, or having difficulties concentrating and thinking clearly? You may be able to join a research study to learn more about why some young people develop these symptoms while others do not. Compensation is provided.

Bipolar Disorder

Eating Disorders

And 4 more areas

Age Range

Duration

DURATION: 12 months (baseline visit, 6 month, and 12 month)

VISITS: 3 in-person visit and activities from home

Location

LOCATION: By Phone, Online, & 230 McKee Place - Oakland

Compensation

COMPENSATION: up to $825

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

PROMPT-BD - Adults 18-25

Are you 18 to 25 years old with bipolar disorder? You may be eligible for a research study that assesses sleep and activity in teens and young adults with bipolar disorder in order to predict a mood recurrence (mania, hypomania or depression). Compensation provided.

Bipolar Disorder

Remote Research

Age Range

Duration

DURATION: 2 years

VISITS: 6 visits

Location

LOCATION: Bellefield Towers - Oakland and/or Online

Compensation

COMPENSATION: up to $312

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Mental Health Literacy and Treatment-seeking Behaviors in Youth - Young Adult Arm

Are you in 8th-12th grade? Do you identify as Black? You may be able to participate in a research study examining mental health literacy and treatment-seeking behaviors of Black youth. This study involves completing one online survey to better understand your understanding of mental health illness and what can be done to help other youth feel more comfortable seeking mental health treatment.

Bipolar Disorder

Eating Disorders

And 5 more areas

Age Range

AGE: 18 years old

Compensation

COMPENSATION: NONE

BEaM Study - Parent with a history of depression or bipolar disorder

Have you ever experienced symptoms of depression or bipolar disorder? Are you the biological parent of a child aged 11-14 who has mood swings, but doesn’t have bipolar disorder? You and your child may be able to participate in a research study to assess the effects of two group-based interventions on emotions and mood among adolescents with a family risk for mood disorders.

Bipolar Disorder

And 6 more areas

Age Range

Duration

DURATION: up to 13 months

VISITS: 1 virtual visit, >5 in-person visits

Location

LOCATION: Online, Oakland and Shadyside

Compensation

COMPENSATION: Yes

BEaM Study - Parent

Are you the parent of a child 11-14? Does your child have a biological parent or full biological sibling who has ever experienced symptoms of depression or bipolar disorder? You and your child may be able to participate in a research study to assess the effects of two group-based interventions on emotions and mood in adolescents with a family risk for mood disorders.

Bipolar Disorder

And 8 more areas

Age Range

Duration

DURATION: up to 13 months

VISITS: 1 virtual visit, >5 in-person visits

Location

LOCATION: Online, Oakland and Shadyside

Compensation

COMPENSATION: Yes

Familial Pathways Study (FamPath): The Role of Inflammation and Stress in Youth Suicidal Behavior

Are you 18-30 years old and currently have depressive symptoms? You may be eligible to participate in a study to learn more about the role of biological markers of suicidality that may run in families and brain inflammation in suicidal behavior in young adults. Studies suggest increased inflammation is associated with suicidal behavior. Compensation provided.

Bipolar Disorder

Eating Disorders

And 5 more areas

Age Range

Duration

DURATION: 12 months

VISITS: 4 visits

Location

LOCATION: Oakland - Bellefield Towers

Compensation

COMPENSATION: $750

RELATED RESEARCH AREAS:

Mental Health and Behavior