CURRENT STUDIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU


Virtual BEaM Study – Parents with Bipolar Disorder or Major Depressive Disorder

Do you have bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder? Are you the biological parent of a child ages 11-14 who has mood swings? Your child may be able to participate in a study to test how well a virtual mindfulness group works in adolescents with mood swings. The study involves participating in a mindfulness group via video chat. Compensation is provided.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   18-60

Duration DURATION:  5-6 months
Location LOCATION: 

Online
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Yes

RAISE Study

Are you 18-55 and currently depressed, but have not yet started treatment? If so, you may be able to participate in a study to look at brain mechanisms that lead to recovery from depression. This study involves 4 visits over a month that may include transcranial magnetic stimulation and fMRI scanning. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 - 55

Duration DURATION:  About 1 month
VISITS:  4
Location LOCATION: 

1 Virtual Visit, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) - Oakland
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $475

DEAR Study (Daily Emotions and Relationships)

Have you had recent suicidal thoughts or behaviors and are you currently receiving treatment for a mood or behavioral disorder? Are you aged 18-35? If so, you may be eligible for a research study to help better understand how daily emotions and experiences affect mood symptoms and suicide risk over time. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 - 35

Duration DURATION:  Up to 1 year
VISITS:  4-6 visits
Location LOCATION: 

Currently, all visits are by phone or by video conference.
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $750

Social Media Assessment of Risk in Teens (SMART) – Age 18

Did you attempt suicide in the past 6 months? Are you 18 years of age? You may be eligible to participate in a 1-visit online research study to help find out if social media can be used to identify depression and suicide risk in teens. Eligible participants must have at least one social media account (Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram). Compensation is provided.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   18

Duration DURATION:  2-3 hours
VISITS:  1
Location LOCATION: 

Virtual Visit (via HIPAA-compliant Zoom)
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Yes

The Rembrandt Study – Ages 60 and up with Depression

Are you age 60 or up and struggling with depression? If so, you may be able to participate in this two-part study. In the first part of the study, a clinician will help treat your depression. If your depression responds to treatment, you will then enter the second part of the study that lasts for 2 years. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  About 2 years and 5 months total
VISITS:  Up to 12 clinical sessions and 6-9 phone calls
Location LOCATION: 

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

$1190

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.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration VISITS:  one initial visit
Location LOCATION: 

Convenient locations near you including Altoona, Monroeville, North Hills, Oakland, Philadelphia, Shadyside, the South Hills and more!

Compensation COMPENSATION: 

$25.00 gift card

Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS) Study

Are you age 18-25 and depressed? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study to help researchers learn more about how using brain stimulation (TBS) in certain areas of the brain may influence brain function, mood, and behavior. Involves 5 visits over 7 weeks. Visits include completing questionnaires, computer tasks, MRI scanning, and TBS procedures. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 - 25

Duration DURATION:  7 weeks
VISITS:  5 visits
Location LOCATION: 

Loeffler Building, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, and UPMC Presbyterian Hospital - Oakland
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $600.00

Mood Study

Do you have a history of a mood disorder (depression or bipolar disorder) or psychotic disorder? Are you the parent of a child aged 13-19? You and your child may be able to participate in a research study to help understand how mental illness develops. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  3 years
VISITS:  3 visits
Location LOCATION: 

Remote/online procedures & MR Research Center at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital - Oakland
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

$50/visit + parking/bus fare

Tension, Anxiety & Brain Imaging (TABI) study

Do you feel sad or depressed? Are you 30-50 years old? Do you work at least 20 hours per week? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a research study to help learn more about how the brain functions when people with depression experience stress. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   30 - 50

Duration VISITS:  Up to 3 visits
Location LOCATION: 

Loeffler Building and/or UPMC Presbyterian Hospital
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $640

Healthy Lifestyle Study for Dementia Caregivers

Do you provide unpaid care to someone with dementia for at least 15 hours per week (at home or during visits to an assisted-living facility or nursing home)? Are you age 60 or older? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to learn new ways of engaging in a healthy lifestyle. This study involves 9 visits that can be done by phone or online. Compensation is provided.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   60 and older

Duration DURATION:  9 weeks
VISITS:  9
Location LOCATION: 

Online and/or by phone
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

$60

Effects of Worry on the Brain

Are you age 50 or older? Do you often worry, or feel increasingly stressed, anxious, or depressed? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help explore changes in the brain that occur when people worry about everyday things. Compensation and parking provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration VISITS:  2-3 visits
Location LOCATION: 

Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) & UPMC Presbyterian
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $110 + free parking

The Rembrandt Study

Have you recently been successfully treated for depression? If so, you may be able to participate in a study to help examine why some people experience a return of depression after successful treatment. This study involves 5-8 clinical sessions and 6-9 phone calls over 2 years, and includes MRI scanning, memory testing, and assessments. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   60 and up

Duration DURATION:  2 years
VISITS:  5-8 clinical sessions & 6-9 phone calls
Location LOCATION: 

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

$990

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.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  About 45 minutes
VISITS:  No in-person visits
Location LOCATION: 

By phone
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

None

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.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  45 minutes
VISITS:  1 visit or phone call
Location LOCATION: 

By phone

WELL Study – COVID-19

Are you 60 or older? Did your spouse or partner pass away as a result of COVID-19 in the last 3-12 months? You may be able to participate in a research study about health behaviors and mood in bereaved older adults. Study participation involves 7 visits (online or by phone) over 15 months and includes recording daily activity, mood, diet, and sleep behaviors for 12 weeks. Compensation is provided.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   60 and up

Duration DURATION:  15 months
VISITS:  7 virtual visits or phone assessments
Location LOCATION: 

Online or by phone
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

$250

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.

Age Range
AGE:   18-24

Duration DURATION:  4 months
VISITS:  1 in-person & 1 remote

Location LOCATION: 

UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Online, and By Phone
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $170

Pain in the Brain Study for Individuals with Suicidal Thoughts

Have you recently had suicidal thoughts and are aged 18-24? You may be able to participate in a research study to help better understand why some people think about suicide and to learn more about how physical pain and emotional pain may be related in the brain. Eligible participants have never injured themselves on purpose. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18-24

Duration DURATION:  4 months
VISITS:  1 in-person & 1 remote
Location LOCATION: 

UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Online, and By Phone
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $170

Negative Thinking Study

Do you have constant negative thoughts, and have difficulty in focusing on more pleasant things? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study that is using sensory stimulation to retrain your thinking styles. Eligible participants are ages 18-65 years old and are in current treatment with a licensed mental health provider. Study involves 6 in-person visits. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 - 65

Duration VISITS:  6 in-person visits
Location LOCATION: 

Oxford Building & UPMC Presbyterian
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

$208.00


Study of Neural Responses Induced by Antidepressants (SONRIsA)

Have you been diagnosed with depression and are you currently depressed? Are you between the ages of 18-55? You may be able to participate in a research study designed to help understand the brain mechanisms involved in depression. Most study visits can be completed online or by phone. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 - 55

Duration DURATION:  Varies
VISITS:  Up to 10 visits (most can be done remotely)
Location LOCATION: 

University of Pittsburgh
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $350

RAD-SD Study – Age 18

Are you 18 years of age and currently depressed? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help find out if an intervention that targets the sleep-wake cycle is a safe and effective approach for improving depression symptoms. The intervention used in this study is not invasive and does not involve medications. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18

Duration VISITS:  4 visits
Location LOCATION: 

Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC)
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $230

NEMO Late-Life Depression Study

Are you age 60 or older and currently experiencing symptoms of depression? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study designed to help learn more about brain function during treatment with antidepressant medication. Some study visits may be completed remotely. Compensation and parking provided.

Age Range
AGE:   60 and older

Duration DURATION:  Up to 20 weeks
VISITS:  Multiple
Location LOCATION: 

Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic & UPMC Presbyterian
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $450 including travel reimbursement

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.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   18 - 24

Duration DURATION:  1 year
VISITS:  4 (no in-person visits)
Location LOCATION: 

Online & By Phone
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $125

Depression Treatment Study

Are you age 18-60 years old? Do you often feel down, low, or depressed? Do you have a low or poor opinion of yourself? If so, you may be able to take part in a research study to help find out if an investigational drug combined with brain training can improve depression symptoms. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 - 60

Duration DURATION:  5 weeks
VISITS:  12 visits
Location LOCATION: 

Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC) at UPMC Montefiore Hospital – Oakland
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $450

MAPS Research Study – Teens Age 18

Are you an 18 year old who has been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or substance use disorder? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a research study to help find out if smartphone technology can be used to better understand suicidal thoughts and behaviors in high-risk teens. Compensation provided.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   18

Duration DURATION:  6 months
VISITS:  No in-person visits required
Location LOCATION: 

Online and By Phone
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $625

PROTECT Depression Research Study

Are you age 55 or older and currently depressed? If so, you may be able to participate in a study to help understand why some people become depressed and have thoughts of hurting themselves, while others do not. This study includes 2-3 interview sessions lasting 2-4 hours, with yearly follow-ups for 4 years. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   55 and older

Duration DURATION:  4 years
VISITS:  2-3 interview sessions with yearly follow-ups
Location LOCATION: 

This study has temporarily switched to remote visits, but participants will need to travel to Oakland for visits once stay-at-home orders are lifted.

Compensation COMPENSATION: 

$100 to $150

PRISM Study – Adults Diagnosed with a Mental Health Disorder

Have you been diagnosed with a mental health disorder (ex., depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, PTSD), but have never had any suicidal thoughts or behaviors? Are you 18-30 years old? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help learn more about how brain activity is related to positive and negative emotions. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 - 30

Duration DURATION:  9 months
VISITS:  Up to 5 visits
Location LOCATION: 

Bellefield Towers - University of Pittsburgh & Scientific Imaging and Brain Research Center (SIBR) - Carnegie Mellon University
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $385

Adolescent Attention to Emotion Study – Mothers with a History of Depression

Are you the mother of a teen girl aged 13-15? Have you experienced depression during your daughter’s lifetime? If so, you and your daughter may be eligible to participate in a research study to help learn more about how girls pay attention to emotional information and how this is related to their risk for developing emotional disorders. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   21 - 65

Duration DURATION:  3-4 hours per visit
VISITS:  3-4 (evening hours available)
Location LOCATION: 

Oxford Building & Sennott Square – Oakland
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Yes

SOVA Study for Adults with Depression/Anxiety

Are you an adult age 18-26 who is currently experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, or has in the past? If so, you may be able to help researchers build an online peer support community for depressed and anxious young adults. This study is done entirely online.

NO IN-PERSON VISITS REQUIRED
 
Age Range
AGE:   18 - 26

Duration DURATION:  Up to participant
Location LOCATION: 

Online
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Blogging ambassadors will be compensated


RELATED RESEARCH AREAS:
  Mental Health and Behavior