Screening & Treatment for Anxiety and Depression (STAND) Program

All registered UCLA students can screen, track, and treat their anxiety and depression with the STAND Program. Get started by creating an account on the website, taking a short survey to screen for symptoms, and then immediately enroll in a mood tracking or treatment study personalized for your exact symptoms. The STAND Program was developed by the UCLA Depression Grand Challenge as part of a large research initiative on mental health. STAND Program assessments inform clinicians and are used to further personalize your experience and treatment during enrollment in a study.

Biomarkers of Depression in Sweat Study

(PIs, Drs. Sam Emaminejad and Katherine Narr): The purpose of this study is to test whether biomarkers of inflammation, including cortisol and cytokines, are detectable in sweat extracted through a standard pilocarpine iontophoresis procedure, and whether these markers are associated with symptoms of depression.

Biomarkers Response to Total Sleep Deprivation in Major Depressive Disorder

(PIs, Drs. Eliza Congdon, Katherine Narr and Randall Espinoza): The purpose of this study is to identify biological markers obtained from brain scans and blood samples that will help us to understand why and how some people respond to treatment for depression while others do not. Additional funding support is provided through the NIMH Connectomes Related to Human Diseases (U01MH110008, MPIs Drs. Katherine Narr and Randall Espinoza). Eligible patients must be experiencing moderate-to-severe depression for at least six months and meet criteria for treatment resistance. Healthy controls are also being recruited to participate in the sleep deprivation study to collect comparison data. A requirement for participation is an agreement to allow your data to be shared.

Serial Ketamine Treatment in Major Depressive Disorder

(PIs, Drs. Katherine Narr and Randall Espinoza): The purpose of this study is to identify biological markers obtained from brain scans and blood samples that will help us to understand why and how some people respond to treatment for depression while others do not. Additional funding support is provided through the NIMH Connectomes Related to Human Diseases (U01MH110008, MPIs Drs. Katherine Narr and Randall Espinoza). Eligible patients must be experiencing moderate-to-severe depression for at least six months and meet criteria for treatment resistance. A requirement for participation is an agreement to allow your data to be shared.

Biomarkers of Response to ECT in Major Depressive Disorder

(PIs, Drs. Katherine Narr and Randall Espinoza): The purpose of this study is to identify biological markers obtained from brain scans and blood samples that will help us to understand why and how some people respond to treatment for depression while others do not. Additional funding support is provided through the NIMH Connectomes Related to Human Diseases (U01MH110008, MPIs Drs. Katherine Narr and Randall Espinoza). Eligible patients must be experiencing moderate-to-severe depression for at least six months and meet criteria for treatment resistance, and be scheduled to start ECT at UCLA. A requirement for participation is an agreement to allow your data to be shared. Please check back at a later date for information about this study.

Shared Mechanisms of Depression and Migraine

(PI Dr. Andy Charles): The purpose of this study is implement an online screening measure for depression, anxiety and mood disorder symptoms through the Headache Research Center at the UCLA Department of Neurology, and to examine the co-occurrence of depression of migraine symptoms through “real time” continuous monitoring through wearable devices to track physiological and environmental variables. Participants who are scheduled to be seen at the Headache Research Center are eligible to participate. Please check back at a later date for information about this study.

If interested, call the UCLA Neurology Clinic at 310-794-1195 to make an appointment in order to be assessed for migraine and study eligibility

Virtual Reality for the Treatment of Anhedonia Study

(PIs, Drs. Michelle Craske and Katherine Narr): The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a novel Virtual Reality-Reward Training (VR-RT) program for depression and anxiety.

Imaging-Guided tDCS in Major Depression

(PI Dr. Katherine Narr) The purpose of this study is to examine how a form of neuromodulation called transcranial direct current stimulation (or tDCS) might work to reduce depressive symptoms. Additional funding support is provided through the National Institute of Mental Health (R61MH110526, PI Dr. Katherine Narr). Eligible patients must be experiencing moderate-to-severe depression. A requirement for participation is an agreement to allow your data to be shared.

Treatment for Affect Dimensions

(PI Dr. Michelle Craske) The purpose of this National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded research is to examine the benefits of two types of cognitive behavioral therapies aimed at reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, or stress. These therapies are composed of components and therapeutic strategies that have demonstrated to be effective for these problem areas. One therapy focuses on enhancing and increasing positive coping and life strategies, whereas the other therapy focuses on decreasing or eradicating negative coping and life strategies. Both versions involve examining thoughts, modifying behaviors, and focusing on breathing. The therapeutic strategies of both treatments have shown to be highly effective in reducing stress, anxiety, or depression. Treatment is conducted one-on-one, over 15 weekly sessions. Because the treatment is part of a research project, it is free of charge. In addition, you will be given $75 at the completion of each laboratory session, and you will also be able to earn up to $37 on certain tasks during the laboratory sessions. The maximum amount that can be earned for the four laboratory assessments is $560. For more information please contact tad.study.ucla@gmail.com.

Volunteers Needed for Brain Imaging Research Study

(PI Dr. Katherine Narr): The purpose of this study is to look at how brain structural and functional pathways influence mood and cognition. If you have no history of depression or bipolar disorder, no recent antidepressant/mood stabilizer use, and are between the ages of 20-64, you may be eligible.

A Framework for Large Scale Screening of Mood Disorders in the UCLA Community

(PI Dr. Carrie Bearden): The purpose of this study is to determine how well an online screening measure for depression, anxiety and mood disorder symptoms works in large groups of people. We will be inviting UCLA policy covered (non-represented) staff to participate in this online screening, which will take 20-30 minutes to complete. Participation is strictly voluntary and will be kept confidential. You can read more about this study here, however note that eligible participants must receive an e-mail invitation to participate in the study.

Longitudinal Assessment of Mood Disorders at UCLA

(PI Dr. Carrie Bearden): The purpose of this study is to determine how well an online screening measure for depression, anxiety and mood disorder symptoms works in large groups of people, and to examine the factors that are involved in the development of depressive disorders. Invited participants will be asked to participate in a six month longitudinal monitoring study, which entails two visits to our research center and use of personal phone to report mood symptoms and behavior for the six month period. Eligible participants must receive an e-mail invitation to participate in the study.

The Effectiveness of Internet Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression and Anxiety in the UCLA Community

(PI Dr. Elizabeth Gong-Guy): The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression and anxiety, and understand why and how some people respond to treatment for depression while others do not. Invited participants will be asked to participate in an eight-week online treatment program, which includes online questionnaires throughout the program. Participation is strictly voluntary and will be kept confidential. Eligible participants must receive an e-mail invitation to participate in the study.