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 Janssen Major Depressive Disorder Clinical Trial – an investigational medication clinical trial with the goal of testing efficacy of Aticaprant as an add-on treatment to a current anti-depressant treatment to help improve mood symptoms.
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.
or
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: 434-924-2781
A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability or Aticaprant 10 mg as Adjunctive Therapy in Adult Participants with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
We are conducting an investigational medication clinical trial to test the efficacy of the medication, Aticaprant, as an add-on treatment to current antidepressant treatment to help improve mood symptoms in participants with Major Depressive Disorder.
Who should join the clinical trial?
The Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences seeks men and women who:
- are 18-74 years old
- are currently experiencing a major depressive episode and have been diagnosed with recurrent or single episode Major Depressive Disorder
- have had an inadequate response to at least 1 antidepressant treatment
What will the clinical trial involve?
The clinical trial will involve up to 10 study visits, partially in-person and partially remote contact, that will last approximately 3 months. Completion of the full study will consist of 2 screening visits, 7 treatment visits, and 1 follow-up visit.
The screening visits will involve collection of medical history, psychiatric history, and clinical laboratory tests (blood work, urinalysis, and alcohol/drug testing) as well as completion of mood and safety assessments (physical exam, safety questionnaires, ECG, and cognitive testing) in order to determine eligibility.
If eligible, you will be randomly assigned to receive either the investigational medication (Aticaprant) or a placebo pill. Neither you nor the researchers will know which you are receiving. At the treatment visits, you will complete similar assessments as done at screening (blood work, mood/efficacy/safety assessments, physical exam, and ECG).
Finally, you will attend a follow-up visit consisting of a physical exam and mood questionnaires.
All study-related procedures will be provided free of charge. This is not a paid clinical trial. However, you will receive a stipend up to $625 to help cover incidental or transportation-related costs.
Additionally, if you fully complete the treatment phase according to protocol, you will have the option to enter a long-term, open-label trial of Aticaprant instead of completing the follow-up visit. This would allow you to receive the investigational medication, Aticaprant, for an entire year.
Interested in participating?
Click here to contact us about participating.
or
For more information or questions about the study, contact the study coordinator listed below.
Kayla Pennycuff, Clinical Research Coordinator
Email: cfw3nk@uvahealth.org
Tel: 434-924-7046