Other Demonstration Projects Underway for the 100K Study and Innovative Treatment Network:
In addition to the Check in Survey, a number of other demonstration projects involving human participants are underway to prepare for the launch of the 100K study [a central feature of the DGC through which 100,000 individuals will be monitored for a ten to fifteen year period to illuminate the genetic and environmental causes of depression] and analyze novel treatments within the ITN Research Clinic. Continue reading to learn more about two of these projects:
An App to Crack Depression
App technology is the next frontier in accurately monitoring symptoms of depression. Researcher Carrie Bearden is investigating the efficacy of an app that will monitor different aspects of daily life, such as hours of sleep, time at home and contact with others. It is envisioned that eventually people enrolled in the 100K study will have the opportunity to use this app. The data captured through this app will provide insight about factors involved in the development of depression.
Treating Depression - Fast
It is well known by those who have experienced depression or known someone suffering from depression, that there is not a quick fix. Common treatments for depression are slow to improve symptoms. For less common treatments, however, there are some promising fast-acting treatment interventions. Katherine Narr, Randall Espinoza and Eliza Congdon, in collaboration with the
Human Connectome Project
,
capitalized on the opportunity to understand more about these fast-acting treatments by launching a demonstration project to see if these novel treatment approaches might be used for new therapies
. Specifically they are studying Electroconvulsive therapy (directing electrical currents to the brain), serial ketamine infusion (IV dosages of the drug ketamine) and total sleep deprivation to see how these treatments alter brain and gene activity to rapidly improve depression symptoms.
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