Current Research Projects

Title: Major Depression and Marijuana Use in Youth: Neurofunctional and Cognitive Interactions

Description:

In this study, we are looking at the effects of depression and of marijuana use on both people’s performance on standard cognitive tasks and on the way the brain responds to rewarding tasks. We are comparing people with and without depression, who use marijuana and who do not use marijuana. Both depression and marijuana have been shown to affect some of the same areas of the brain and thinking processes. It is important to make clear that none of the participants will be given marijuana as part of the study. We are looking at the changes that are caused by regular marijuana use and not at the effects of marijuana intoxication.

Letter of Information

Letter of Information - Genetics Component

Title: Experiences of Adolescents and Young Adults with Emotional Concerns

Description:

This study is designed to find out more about the experiences of young adults and adolescents who are having emotional problems. In particular, we want to know more about how they feel about themselves and think that others feel about them, about their reasons for seeking treatment from a health care provider such as a physician, or reasons that might prevent asking for treatment or help, and what kinds of experiences they have when they do ask for assistance.

Letter of Information

Title: Using Hemodynamic Brain Networks to Distinguish Between Unipolar Depression and Bipolar Disorder in Youth

Description:

This study will examine how brain networks function in people who have depression or bipolar disorder to see if we can use these differences to distinguish between the two disorders.  By comparing people with depression, people with bipolar disorder and individuals with no mental health concerns so we can learn more about these conditions and how to treat them more effectively.

Letter of Information

If you have any questions or interest in these studies, please contact the FEMAP research coordinator at: 519-646-6000 ext. 65196.

Title:  The Neurobiological Basis of Affective and Social Dysregulation

Description:

Depression often changes the way you think about things and cope with difficulties so that it becomes hard to shake feelings of sadness and enjoy the things you usually enjoy.
The purpose of this study is to look at the way the mind and brain respond when people experience reminders of things that might be pleasant or unpleasant. We are particularly interested in ways that the brain changes the impact of pleasant and unpleasant reminders to help control mood.
By comparing individuals who have experienced depression to people who have not, we hope to learn more about how thinking and brain function may sometimes temporarily go wrong to give rise to depression. We hope this research may one day assist in the development of more effective therapies.

If you have any questions or interest in this study, please contact Steve at: 519 685 8500 ext. 36565.