Welcome to the Eating Disorders Studies Page

CURRENT STUDIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU

Personality, Affect, Interactions, and Risk for Suicide (PAIRS) Study - Control Arm

Are you between the ages of 18-35? Do you have no history of suicidal thoughts and behaviors? You may be able to participate in a study to understand how certain types of social interactions influence mood, decision-making, and biological responses that may contribute to risk for suicidal behaviors among young adults. Compensation is provided.

Anxiety

DURATION: 4 months

VISITS: 3 visits (2 remote and 1 in-person)

LOCATION: Oakland and virtually

COMPENSATION: Up to $105

RAW-The Effect of Rumination, Anxiety, and Worry on Aging and Dementia Risk (High Worry) Study

Are you over the age of 50 and interested in participating in a research study that will examine how anxiety and worry contribute to aspects of aging, including brain and body aging, as well as risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The results of this study will help us design therapies that address individual needs of older people with anxiety

DURATION: 2 years

VISITS: 5 visits

LOCATION: Oakland

COMPENSATION: $300

The RAW Brain-The Effect of Rumination, Anxiety and Worry on Aging and Dementia Risk (Low Worry) Study

DURATION: 2 years

VISITS: 5 visits

LOCATION: Oakland

COMPENSATION: $300

Personality, Affect, Interactions, and Risk for Suicide (PAIRS) Study

Are you between the ages of 18-35? You may be able to participate in a study to understand how certain types of social interactions influence mood, decision-making, and biological responses that may contribute to risk for suicidal behaviors among young adults.

DURATION: 4 months

VISITS: 3 visits (2 remote and 1 in-person)

LOCATION: Oakland

COMPENSATION: Up to $105

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

ILIADD Study

Are you between 18-50 years old? You may be eligible for a research study to learn more about mental health, changes in emotions, behaviors, and social interactions. Compensation is provided.

DURATION: 16 days

VISITS: Online questionnaires and surveys

COMPENSATION: Up to $200

All of Us Pennsylvania Research Program

You may be able to change the future of medicine. The All of Us PA Research Program is enrolling adults 18 years of age or older. This may be your chance to improve how your children and your children’s children receive medical care.

VISITS: one in person visit

LOCATION: Convenient locations throughout Pennsylvania

COMPENSATION: $25.00 gift card

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

MyPaTH Story Booth – COVID-19 Stories

Participants are invited to share how they are maintaining their health during the coronavirus pandemic, or to share what it is like being ill with COVID-19 and/or caring for a loved one who is ill with COVID-19. Participation in this research study involves one 45-minute session that takes place over the phone. Eligible participants must be able to read and understand English.

DURATION: About 45 minutes

VISITS: No in-person visits

LOCATION: By phone

COMPENSATION: $10 gift card/story with a maximum of 2 stories, for a total of $20

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.

DURATION: 45 minutes

VISITS: 1 visit or phone call

LOCATION: By phone

COMPENSATION: Up to $20

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Increase mental health service uptake among young Black Men

Are you a black man 18-25 years old? Did you receive mental health services as a teen (ages: 13-17)? Do you currently use mental health services? You may be eligible for a research study about mental health care experiences. Compensation provided.

SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH: Intersex, Male

DURATION: Up to 90 minutes

VISITS: 1 visit

LOCATION: Cathedral of Learning or Zoom

COMPENSATION: $50 Amazon gift card

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.

AGE: 18 years old

COMPENSATION: NONE

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Decentralized Biobanking "de-bi": An app for tracking research donations

Are you 18 and older and interested what happens to the tumor/tissue/blood you donate for research? This research project is developing an app for those who want to track or learn about their biosample donations and studying patient preferences for feedback about research on their biosamples.

DURATION: 10 minute survey

VISITS: Online survey

LOCATION: Online

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.

DURATION: 3 months

VISITS: 4

LOCATION: Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic

COMPENSATION: $230

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 11-13 who has mood swings, but doesn’t have bipolar disorder or depression? 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.

DURATION: up to 13 months

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

LOCATION: Online, Oakland and Shadyside

COMPENSATION: Yes

BEaM Study - Parent

Are you the parent of a child 11-13? 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.

DURATION: up to 13 months

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

LOCATION: Online, Oakland and Shadyside

COMPENSATION: Yes

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

Are you 18-30 years old and have a history of depression or a mood disorder diagnosis? 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.

DURATION: 12 months

VISITS: 4 visits

LOCATION: Oakland - Bellefield Towers

COMPENSATION: $750

Pain in the Brain Study for Individuals with Suicidal Thoughts and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

Have you recently had suicidal thoughts and engaged in non-suicidal self-injury, such as cutting? Are you aged 18-24? You may be able to participate in a research study to help better understand why some people harm themselves on purpose and to learn more about how physical pain and emotional pain may be related in the brain. Compensation provided.

DURATION: 4 months

VISITS: 1 in-person & 1 remote

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Online, and By Phone

COMPENSATION: Up to $170

Hormonal Skin Patch for Women with Anorexia Nervosa

Are you a 19-45 year old woman diagnosed with anorexia nervosa? You may be able to participate in a research study to help find out if a hormonal skin patch can improve bone density in women with anorexia nervosa. Participation involves imaging studies, blood tests, and nutritional analyses. Compensation is provided.

Eating Disorders

Other Bones, Joints, and Muscles

Women's Health

AGE: 19 - 45

SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH: Female

DURATION: 18 months

VISITS: 6 visits & 3 phone calls

LOCATION: UPMC Montefiore Hospital, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital - Oakland & Neuromuscular Research Lab - South Side

COMPENSATION: Up to $575 & parking or transportation reimbursement

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

EASY Research Study – Ages 18-24

Are you an 18-24 year old who has recently accessed emergency or crisis services for behavioral health related issues? If so, you may be able to take part in a research study to help better understand how to assess mood, behaviors, and suicide risk in young adults. This study involves four online or phone sessions over about one year. Compensation is provided.

VISITS: 4 (no in-person visits)

LOCATION: Online & By Phone

COMPENSATION: Up to $125

RELATED RESEARCH AREAS:

Food, Nutrition, and Metabolism, Mental Health and Behavior