STUDY BASICS
Do you identify as LGBTQ+ and feel sad or like nothing is fun? You may be eligible for a research study on how depression develops, and the risk and preventive factors for young people who identify as LBGTQ+. Compensation is provided.
STUDY PURPOSE
This research study is trying to understand the way depression develops in young adults who identify as LGBTQ+. Depression and a symptom called anhedonia, which involves difficulty with motivation, energy, and anticipation of pleasant events, are related to disruptions in positive emotions and could be based on alterations in the brain’s dopamine system and reward circuitry. They want to understand depression early in life so that they can find ways to help young people develop along healthy pathways and avoid chronic illness.
COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?
- 18-22 years of age
- Identifying as LGBTQ+
- People who are currently experiencing depression
WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT
- 1 In-person visit (interview, MRI scan, blood draw, and questionnaires)
- 1 Virtual 6-month follow up
IRB: STUDY22060139E
- Depression, Reward, Inflammation, Verve, and Emotion (DRIVE) StudyMEET THE RESEARCHER
Erika Forbes
Erika E. Forbes, PhD, is associate professor of psychiatry, psychology, and pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Forbes is a specialist in the field of depression, especially regarding reward-related brain functioning in adolescents. Her research has been published in a number of leading publications. She has received awards and honors from the University of Pittsburgh, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression, and the National Institute of Health.