Research Studies
Current Studies
Interested in participating?
Contact UsThe RPRP is often recruiting for a number of reproductive and other psychiatry related studies. This page will be regularly updated with information on our current studies.
We are actively recruiting for the following studies:
- The Prospective Study – an observational study with the purpose of helping to identify genetic, epigenetic, biological, and environmental risk factors of postpartum depression.
- The Neonates Study – a study on the infants of individuals participating in the Prospective study; this study hopes to determine how exposure to depression and/or anti-depressants during pregnancy affects the development of children after birth.
Click the tabs below to learn more about these studies and about who may be eligible to participate in them.
Interested in participating?
Contact UsA Prospective Research Study of Pregnant and Postpartum Women with Mood Disorders
We are conducting an observational research study exploring women’s feelings during and after pregnancy. The purpose of the study is to help identify clinical, genetic, epigenetic, hormonal, and immunological risk factors of postpartum depression.
Who should join our study?
The RPRP is seeking pregnant women who:
- are 18 or older
- are in any trimester of their pregnancy
- have a history of a mood disorder (Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar I, or Bipolar II, Bipolar Not Otherwise Specified)
What will the study involve?
The number of research study visits will depend on which trimester of pregnancy you’re in when you enter the research study. Completion of the full research study will consist of 7 visits, 3 during pregnancy and 4 postpartum, lasting from 11 weeks pregnant to 6 months postpartum. Additionally, there will be 1 phone visit during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. The first visit will last 3 to 4 hours with each visit after that lasting up to 1 hour.
Study procedures include collection of blood and saliva samples, one at-home blood spot collection, completion of various mood, stress, and sleep surveys, and optional collection of vaginal and fecal samples.
All study-related procedures will be provided free of charge, and compensation will be provided for completion of study procedures.
Interested in participating?
Click here to contact us about participating.
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For more information or questions about the study, contact the study coordinator listed below.
Lauren Williamson, PhD, Clinical Research Coordinator
Email: lea6d@uvahealth.org
Tel: 434-297-4689
Epigenetic Markers of Maternal Postpartum Depression in Neonates
In conjunction with UVA’s Department of Neurology, we are conducting a research study to better understand the impacts of maternal depression on infants and children. The purpose of this study is to determine how exposure to depression and/or anti-depressants during pregnancy affects the development of children after birth.
Who should join our study?
This study will only be open to newborns of individuals enrolled in the Prospective study.
What will the study involve?
The study will consist of 4 visits, spanning 18 months.
- Visit 1 (15 minutes): Within 2 weeks of birth, your baby’s clinical team or the research team will complete a heel prick to collect a small sample of blood from your baby. If available, the study team will also collect placental samples from the birth.
- Visit 2 (30 minutes): When your baby is 6 months old, you’ll be asked to fill out several questionnaires about your child’s development, sleep, exposure to technology, family history, and your relationship with your baby. This visit may coincide with your 6 months postpartum visit for the Prospective study.
- Visit 3 (30 minutes): When your child is 12 months old, you’ll be asked to complete similar questionnaires as you did at visit 2. Some of the questionnaires at this visit will be standardized neurodevelopmental assessments; you will receive a copy of your child’s results. This visit may be completed virtually.
- Visit 4 (2 hours): You’ll be asked to return to UVA sometime when your child is between 14-18 months old for an electroencephalogram (EEG). EEG is a non-invasive way to measure electrical activity in the brain. You and your child will wear EEG caps while completing play tasks, which will allow the research team to see how similar the activity is between you and your child’s brain.
All study-related procedures will be provided free of charge, and compensation will be provided for completion of study procedures.
Questions about the study?
For more information or questions about the study, contact the study coordinator listed below.
Lauren Williamson, PhD, Clinical Research Coordinator
Email: lea6d@uvahealth.org
Tel: 434-297-4689