Current Studies

Research is an important part of our department. We have several ongoing studies. We invite you to read about our studies and contact one of the research staff for more information. All research studies are completely voluntary.

Whole Body Hyperthermia & Major Depression
Status: Open for participation
Research Contact: Kim | tel: (520) 314-7492
Principal Investigator: Charles Raison, MD

The purpose of this study is to test the effects of different levels of whole-body infrared heating (Whole Body Hyperthermia, or WBH) on Major Depressive Disorder, and how long any effects might last. Thirty (30) adults with Major Depression between the ages of 18 and 65 years old will be enrolled in the study.

Inflammation, Stress, and Social Behavior: Using Ecological Assessments and Model Systems to Enhance Relevance to Health Outcomes
Research Contact: Kim | tel: (520) 314-7492

Sponsor: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Principal Investigator: Charles Raison, MD

The purpose of the study is to examine daily behaviors that contribute to the way individuals with a chronic illness react to stress. Up to 110 individuals with hepatitis C who are eligible to receive interferon-alpha treatment will be recruited across two sites, University of Arizona and Emory University. The first part of this study helps us learn more about daily life by recording snippets of sounds in every-day environment during a 48-hour period and recording physiological information during sleep. The second part of the study examines how people respond to stress by measuring chemicals in the blood.

An Examination of the Differential Effects of Running Minimally Shod vs. in Shoes on Physiology and Emotional States Relevant to Major Depression
Status: Open for participation
Research Contact: Kim | tel: (520) 314-7492
Principal Investigator: Charles Raison, MD

The purpose of this study is to examine the physiological and behavioral effects of different running styles. Twenty (20) adults between the ages of 18 and 45 years old will be enrolled in this study at the University of Arizona who are fitness runners averaging 20 miles/week. Participants will be asked to run on a treadmill for 90 minutes in their preferred running footwear. They will also be asked to answer questions about their health and emotional wellbeing.

Social Cognition in Longstanding Psychotic Disorders
Status: Open for participation
Principal Investigator: Nicholas Breitborde, PhD

People with psychotic disorders often suffer from deficits in ‚Äúsocial cognition.‚Äù This means they may have trouble with some of the tasks required for successful participation in social interactions. Through this study, we hope to study the specific deficits in social cognition that may be common among people with psychotic disorders. Additionally, we plan to examine how social cognition may be associated with other outcomes among individuals with longstanding psychotic disorders (e.g., symptom severity and work functioning). Approximately 100 individuals between the ages of 18-75 who have experienced symptoms of psychosis for five years or more will participate in this study.

Parents: Teens & Children Depression Research Study (aka B2061014)
Status: Open for participation
Research Contact: Sarah Skoch, PhD | tel: (520) 626-7739
Sponsor: Pfizer
Principal Investigator: Karen Weihs, MD

Is your child or teen experiencing depressive symptoms? This study is looking for children and teens ages 7 to 17 who have depression. We are studying the use of a medication called desvenlafaxine succinate sustained release (DVS SR). Potential subjects will receive blood and urine tests before beginning the study and will have to show they can swallow 3 pills. This is a double blind study with 3 possibilities: subjects will receive 1 of 2 active medications (DVS SR or fluoxetine), or placebo.

A 6-Month, Open-Label, Multi-Center, Flexible-Dose Extension Study to the B2061014 Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of Desvenlafaxine Succinate Sustained-Release (DVS SR) Tablets in the Treatment of Children and Adolescent Outpatients With Major Depressive Disorder (aka B2061031)
Status: Open for rollover from B2061014
Research Contact Person: Sarah Skoch, PhD | tel: (520) 626-7739
Sponsor: Pfizer
Principal Investigator: Karen Weihs, MD

This a 6-month, open-label, flexible dose, extension study to the short-term, double-blind, placebo controlled study DVS SR B2061014. The study is designed to evaluate the long-term safety, tolerability, and efficacy of DVS SR during open-label, flexible-dose treatment of child and adolescent outpatients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Subjects who complete the 8-week, double-blind treatment phase of DVS SR B2061014 and complete the 1-week transition phase (week 9) of the short-term study will be eligible to participate in this study (DVS SR B2061031).

Electrophysiological recording for patients receiving deep brain stimulation electrode for treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder
Status: Open for participation
Research contact person: Francisco Moreno, MD | tel: (520) 626-5327
Sponsor: None
Principal Investigator: Jean-Philippe Langevin, MD

This study is being done to collect recordings from the brain during and after the surgical implantation of the electrodes for deep brain stimulation (DBS) for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). To participate, you must already be eligible to receive the DBS device for treatment-resistant OCD. The DBS for OCD is currently available through University of Arizona and Southern Arizona VA Health Care System through a Humanitarian Device Exemption from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The main goal of this add-on study is to determine if the recording data can show the electrode is located in a specific part of the brain called the nucleus accumbens. If this can be proven, this will allow the placement of electrodes for DBS with a higher degree of precision. Another goal of the study is to look at the activity of this part of the brain, the nucleus accumbens, while the person is presented with basic tasks during and after surgery. Please contact Dr. Moreno for more information.

Typical Daily Experiences, Ischemia and Repolarization in Coronary Artery Disease
Status: Open for participation
Research Contact Person: Marcy | tel: (520) 626-5292
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health
Principal Investigator: Richard Lane, MD, PhD

This study examines the role of every day experiences as they relate to coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is the most common setting in which sudden cardiac death (SCD) occurs. SCD is the leading cause of death in the United States.

Treatment-Resistant Depression Registry (D23)
Status: Follow-up only
Research Contact Person: Carolyn | tel: (520) 626-8568 or email cfort@email.arizona.edu
Sponsor: Cyberonics, Inc.
Principal Investigator: Francisco Moreno, MD

A registry is a collection of information on therapeutic outcomes from a group of subjects. The purpose of this particular registry is to gather information about subjects with treatment‚Äëresistant depression, including their responses to treatments, their quality of life, their productivity, and their use of healthcare services. This is a 5-year follow-up study to follow individuals who previously participated in the study ‚ÄúRandomized Comparison of Outcomes in Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression who Received VNS Therapy‚Ñ¢ Administered at Different Amounts of Electrical Charge.‚Äù VNS Therapy‚Ñ¢ involves stimulation of the vagus nerve via an implanted device.

The MYA Project: My Year After Breast Cancer
Status: Open for participation
Research Contact Person: Martha | tel: (520) 626-7325 or email myaproject@azcc.arizona.edu
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health / National Cancer Institute
Principal Investigator: Karen Weihs, MD

The MYA Project offers women the chance to take part in a study designed to understand their emotional and physical experience during the year after breast cancer diagnosis. What is learned from this research will inform future interventions to improve the quality of life and health of women with breast cancer. Women diagnosed within the past 3 months with a first or a recurrent invasive breast cancer may be eligible to participate. Participants will be interviewed by trained research staff about their experiences with breast cancer. There will be seven interviews over the course of one year. Two interviews will be completed in person and the other five will be completed by phone. The total time involved will be six to eight hours during the year. This study is recruiting eligible participants.

Therapies for PTSD, Depression, and Sleep
Status: Open for participation
Research contact person: Matt| tel: (520) 626-2178
Sponsors: Department of Defense
Principal Investigator: Patricia Haynes, PhD

Difficulties sleeping or maintaining a regular daily routine? Feeling depressed? Experiencing painful memories related to a traumatic event? You may qualify for a research study examining a non-medication based treatment for sleep, depression, and anxiety problems. This study is seeking volunteers between the ages of 18-65, who are currently experiencing symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression. This study is conducted through the University of Arizona Psychiatry Department and the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System. For more information, visit http://restlab.web.arizona.edu/.

Brain Imaging in Patients At Risk for Cardiac Arrhythmias
Status: Closed
Research contact: (520) 626-1737
Sponsor: Medtronic, Inc.
Principal Investigator: Richard Lane, MD, PhD

This study is looking for volunteers age 50 and older to participate in a research project. Study procedures include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain and measurement of heart rate, respiration and skin response. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between measures of brain structure and function and risk for cardiac events. This study is recruiting eligible participants: individuals about to receive an ICD (implanted cardioverter-defibrillator), as well as healthy controls.

EPICENTER: Early Psychosis Intervention Center Studies
Status: Open for participation
Research Contact: (520) 874-7531
Sponsors: Institute for Mental Health Research and Yale University
Principal Investigator: Nick Breitborde, PhD

EPICENTER aims to reduce the impact of early psychosis through symptom alleviation and reintegration back into the community. At EPICENTER, people have the opportunity to discuss their concerns, get practical support and participate in research studies. Individuals ages 18-35 who are early in the course of a psychotic illness and are willing to travel to EPICENTER for clinical services are eligible to participate. Additionally, family members may have the opportunity to participate in the family education and support program. Studies are recruiting eligible participants. For more information, click here.

The ZIP Study: Ziprasidone versus Placebo in the Prevention of Psychosis Among Symptomatic Adolescents and Young Adults at Prodromal Risk
Status: Open for participation
Research Contact: (520) 626-1737
Sponsor: Yale University
Principal Investigator: Nick Breitborde, PhD

This study is looking for physically healthy volunteers ages 16 to 40 who are experiencing unusual thoughts and/or unusual perceptual experiences, and are willing to consider experimental medication for these problems. We are studying the use of a medication called Ziprasidone and encourage any individual experiencing these symptoms to call for a confidential screening evaluation. All qualified participants will receive blood and urine tests before beginning study medications. This is a double blind study. Participants might receive active medication or placebo. Please call if you are interested in participation or would like more information.

Oxytocin and Breast Cancer Study
Status: Follow-up only
Research Contact Person: Laura E. | tel: (520) 626-7325
Sponsor: Department of Defense
Principal Investigator: Karen Weihs, MD

The Oxytocin and Breast Cancer Study may explain how social support is translated into better breast cancer outcomes. Women newly diagnosed with breast cancer meet with an Arizona Cancer Center Social Worker and Oncology Nurse as well as the Study Coordinator. Study activities include an interview about close relationships, questionnaires and a blood draw for oxytocin measurement. Current subjects are being followed up to two years. This study is closed to enrollment.