NIMH Outreach Partner in Connecticut/Information on Clinical Trials
NAMI Connecticut and the National Institute of Mental Health
NAMI Connecticut is the state’s Outreach Partner for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). As an Outreach Partner, we have access to the latest science-based educational materials and have a responsibility to distribute NIMH materials statewide. We also have information on new clinical trials. NIMH materials are on hand at the NAMI Connecticut office and are also made available at conferences, educational programs and to anyone who requests information. For a full list of publications please see the Resources page on our site. You can also contact Janice at resources@namict.org if you have any questions.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services had dedicated a webpage to resources from NIMH and other agencies for parents, schools, and others seeking help after the Newtown, CT tragedy:
http://phe.gov/emergency/events/newtown/
Yale Research Clinic Studies on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
The following studies are investigating the neurobiological and behavioral markers of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), all in the hopes of better understanding the disorder so that providers may offer better treatment to people struggling with OCD.
1. A Double-blind study of Riluzole Augmentation in Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor- Refractory Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Depression
This is a treatment study for people with OCD who haven’t gotten a good response from medications they’ve tried so far.
2. Biomarkers of clinical subtype and treatment response in obsessive-compulsive disorder
This is a non-treatment study for people with OCD who are not on any medication but have been diagnosed with OCD. It’s mainly an imaging study (MRI/MRS/fMRI) but also has an optional genetic component to it.
3. Pilot Study of Serotonin 1B Receptor Funnction in Euthymic, Medication Free Subjects with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
This is another non-treatment study for people with OCD who are not on any medication but have been diagnosed with OCD. It’s an imaging study using PET Imaging Technology.
To view a full color flyer suitable for printing and posting, go to: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1650/images/Yale_OCD_Study_Flyer.pdf
To read more about each of these studies, visit: http://www.ocd.yale.edu/participate/with_ocd.aspx
To obtain more information, please contact the Yale OCD Research Clinic at: (203) 974-7523, or www.ocd.yale.edu
NATIONWIDE RECRUITMENT: DEPRESSION ADULT RESEARCH STUDY
RAPID ANTIDEPRESSANT EFFECTS OF KETAMINE
Individuals who have been diagnosed with major depression may be able to participate in a trial designed to understand the causes of depression and rapid antidepressant response. Specifically, NIMH is testing whether ketamine, a drug that affects glutamate in the brain, will improve symptoms of depression within a matter of hours.
Individuals who are 18-65 years of age and have been diagnosed with major depression (unipolar) and previously failed to respond to treatment may be eligible for an inpatient study designed to bring about a rapid antidepressant effect.
After completion of the study the participant is transitioned back to a clinician in the community. All research participation is without cost and NIMH will cover all transportation costs from anywhere in the United States. Compensation is provided for study procedures.
For more information, please call 1-877-MIND-NIH (1-877-646-3644) or email moodresearch@mail.nih.gov.
National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services
For more information on research conducted by the NIMH in Bethesda, MD click here http://patientinfo.nimh.nih.gov.
Notice of an important study being conducted by the Institute of Living at Hartford Hospital
Have you been diagnosed with Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia? Have your symptoms not improved with your current medication? Dr. John Goethe at The Institute of Living/Hartford Hospital is offering screenings for participation in clinical research studies to assess whether investigational drugs may be useful, safe and well-tolerated for the treatment of these disorders. Participants will receive a study-related psychiatric evaluation and the study drugs at no cost. Compensation for time and travel is provided.
For more information, please contact:
Katherine Karbowski, Clinical Study Coordinator
Institute of Living/Hartford Hospital
200 Retreat Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-545-7502
Fax: 860-545-7244
kkarbowski@harthosp.org
Thank you!
Notice of an important study being conducted by the Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation (JBRF)
Intranasal Ketamine in the Treatment of Pediatric Bipolar Disorder (Ages 6-12, NY Tri-State Area)
The Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation is recruiting children to participate in a placebo controlled clinical trial in which they will receive 4 administrations of intranasal ketamine during a short, in-home protocol. Research leading up to this study delineated a particularly severe and treatment resistant form of the illness as well as a hypothesis of the neurological underpinnings of the disorder. Research informed investigators that ketamine: a drug known to reduce fear sensitization and lower core body temperature may be an ideal treatment for the condition. A 4+ year pilot study produced a reduction of symptoms primary to the condition for those children who participated. The current IRB/FDA approved study is intended to document evidence of the observed treatment response.
More information can be found at www.jbrf.org/ketamine-clinical-trial/
A flyer for the study with relevant links can be found at http://p0.vresp.com/eeOhFd
If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact the JBRF directly. Their contact info is listed on their website, above.
Nationwide Recruitment: Bipolar Disorder Pediatric Research Study – Clinical Trial of Citalopram and Methylphenidate in Severe Mood Dysregulation
This study is testing the effectiveness of methylphenidate plus citalopram vs. methylphenidate plus placebo for decreasing irritability in children with severe mood dysregulation (SMD). Children with SMD display chronic anger, sadness, or irritability, as well as hyperarousal (such as insomnia, distractibility, hyperactivity) and extreme responses to frustration (such as frequent, severe temper tantrums).
Children ages seven to 17 with SMD may be eligible to participate in this 12- to 15-week inpatient or outpatient study. This study has four phases. During Phase I, participants are gradually withdrawn from all current psychotropic medications. Phase II is a one-week psychotropic medication-free period. During Phase III, which lasts two weeks, participants are treated with methylphenidate alone. Phase IV lasts for eight weeks. During this time, participants continue methylphenidate treatment and are randomly assigned to also receive either citalopram or placebo.
At the end of the study, those who received methylphenidate plus placebo will have the opportunity to receive methylphenidate plus active citalopram if clinically appropriate.
All procedures and medications associated with the research are provided at no cost to participants, and transportation expenses are reimbursed by NIMH. Schooling will be provided while on the inpatient unit or in day treatment. To find out more information, please call (301) 496-8381 or email irritablekids@mail.nih.gov
National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services
For more information on research conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, MD click the following link: http://patientinfo.nimh.nih.gov
Nationwide Recruitment: Bipolar Disorder (Adult) Research Study – Antidepressant (Rapid) Effects of Ketamine
Individuals who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder may be able to participate in a trial designed to understand the causes of depression and rapid antidepressant response. Specifically, this trial is testing whether ketamine, a drug that affects glutamate in the brain will improve symptoms of depression within a matter of hours.
Individuals who are 18 to 65 years of age and have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and previously failed to respond to treatment may be eligible for an inpatient trial designed to bring about a rapid antidepressant effect. After completion of the study the participant is transitioned back to a clinician in the community. In addition, all research participation is without cost and NIMH covers all transportation costs from anywhere in the United States. Compensation is provided for study procedures.
To find out more information, please call 1-877-MIND-NIH (1-877-646-3644) or email moodresearch@mail.nih.gov
National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services.
For more information on research conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, MD: http://patientinfo.nimh.nih.gov
NIMH Information on Sustaining Remission of Severe Depression: The STOP-PD II Study
Sites in Westchester: Weill Cornell Medical College – 914-997-5721;
Manhattan: Weill Cornell Medical College – 212-746-3979;
and UMass: 508-856-5928.
The original STOP-PD study established that the combination of olanzapine and sertraline was significantly better than olanzapine alone in achieving remission of psychotic depression. This STOP-PD-II Sustaining Remission study aims to assess the long-term tolerability of taking this combination of medications and their efficacy at preventing a relapse of the symptoms. The acute phase of the study will monitor the efficacy and tolerability of the olanzapine and sertraline combination, including investigation of weight and metabolic variables, age effects on treatment response and tolerability, and the association of genetic polymorphisms to response or relapse. When subjects are stabilized on these medications for a period of 8 weeks they will be invited to participate in the randomized phase of the research: the olanzapine will be placebo-controlled, meaning half of the subjects will continue to take the olanzapine/sertraline combination and half will take a sertraline/placebo combination, for a period of 36 weeks. Symptoms and side effects will be monitored regularly throughout this phase.
Diagnosed with Schizophrenia and Previous Trouble with the Law?
You are not alone. More people with serious mental illness in this country are in jails and prisons than in hospitals.
If this is you or someone you know then learn about the PRIDE study a research study especially for people diagnosed with schizophrenia who have had trouble with the law.
This study is being conducted by the Hospital of Central Connecticut
If you think you qualify and would like to find out more, please contact: Alison Oville, Clinical Research Manager, The Hospital of Central Connecticut, (860)-224-5597, aoville@THOCC.org
For more information about participating in this study, click HERE
Providers: For a full color flyer that you can post in your facility, click HERE
The SearchLyte Research Program For People Living With Schizophrenia
Dear NAMI Connecticut Members:
As you may be aware, it is believed that approximately 20% of schizophrenia patients experience predominant negative symptoms (such as feeling numb or empty inside, feeling that others are talking about you, hearing noises or voices that others dont hear, seeing things that others may not experience, and having difficulty organizing your thoughts or making people understand you and finding it hard to communicate), which often persist despite antipsychotic treatment. There is therefore an urgent medical need for the development of treatments specifically targeted at the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Three of the studies in the SearchLyte Program are looking at whether a potential new investigational treatment, RO4917838, is effective and safe in treating the negative symptoms of schizophrenia when given with a patients usual antipsychotic medication.
All participants will continue to take their usual antipsychotic medication during the study. In addition, participants will be given either the investigational medication or placebo (a sugar pill) to take every day. The study will last for just over a year and will include approximately 20 visits to the clinic. During these visits, doctors and nurses will carry out several checks. If possible, your caregiver (someone you see for more than 4 hours every week) should accompany you at these visits, should you choose to take part in the study. After that there will be an opportunity to receive the investigational study medication for a longer period of up to 3 years.
To be eligible for the study, patients need to be age 18 or older and currently taking a typical or atypical antipsychotic (not clozapine); they must have been clinically stable for 5 months, and have a responsible caregiver who can ensure compliance with the study and its procedures. Participants need to have prominent and persistent negative symptoms despite taking their antipsychotic medications.
For more information, please contact: Andrew Winokur, MD, PhD, Principal Investigator; The SearchLyte Study Team; (860) 545-7956 or (860) 545-7502.
8/2012
