Metabolism and Mental Health

STUDY BASICS

Are you between the ages of 18-50 years old, right-handed, and slightly overweight? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help understand how metabolism and mental health interact. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Being overweight increases the risk of developing many diseases, including type 2 diabetes. Research has shown that people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to suffer from depression, and people with depression are more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study is to help researchers learn about how the brain responds to rewards by looking at how sensitive people are to insulin (a hormone important in blood sugar control). Researchers will compare responses in people who are more and less responsive to insulin, and in people with and without depression.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Adults aged 18-50 with no diagnosis of diabetes
• Right-handed
• Overweight, with a body mass index between 24 and 34.9 (NIH BMI calculator: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov /health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm)
• Willing and able to have an MRI scan

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Participation involves 2 study visits. The first visit at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) takes about 3 hours and includes an interview, questionnaires, and blood work. Study visit 2 at the Magnetic Resonance Research Center at UPMC Presbyterian takes approximately 2 hours and involves a 30 minute MRI scan and a questionnaire.