Inflammation and Depression Study – Parent of 13-19 year old

STUDY BASICS

Do you have a history of depression, and are you the parent of a 13-19 year old who does not? If so, you and your child may be able to take part in a research study on inflammation, depression, and brain function in young people with no history of depression. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

More than 20% of teens will experience depression, a serious mood disorder that causes feelings of intense sadness, lowered energy and interest in activities, academic problems, and withdrawal from others. Researchers know that depression is associated with inflammation in the body, but they are not sure why. The purpose of this study is to help researchers understand how cytokines – compounds made by the body’s immune system and that are thought to play a role in inflammation – affect brain function and the development of depression. Researchers hope their findings will lead to new ways to identify, prevent, and treat depression in the future.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• History of depression
• Parent of teen who fits the following criteria: ­ -Ages 13-19 ­ -Willing and able to participate in this study ­ -NO history of depression, bipolar disorder, autism, schizophrenia, severe/chronic known inflammatory illness (ex., Crohn’s disease, asthma requiring daily inhaler, leukemia) ­ -Not a daily smoker ­ -No history of head trauma ­ -Not currently taking psychiatric medications

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Participation involves 2 in-person study visits and online questionnaires. During the first visit, your child will be interviewed, complete questionnaires, and perform tasks on a computer, and you will complete questionnaires about family history and depression. Your child will also be asked to return to have a blood draw and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan, an imaging technique for measuring brain function. fMRI is non-invasive and does not involve radiation. Total duration of participation is about 8 months.