Why participate in research?
Research is the best way to understand depression
and develop new treatment options. All of
the treatments that we have today that work
to help with depression are available because
others like you have agreed to participate
in research studies. Without patients and
research we cannot conquer this disease.
The Depression Center research programs
build on a long tradition of excellence.
There are a number of different types of
research involving people with depression
being conducted within the Depression Center:
Clinical trials
test how well new medications work individually
and in new combinations. We work with medical
experts throughout the country on the development
of better treatments for depression. Clinical
trials usually refer to a standardized treatment
program that always includes an active treatment,
but may include inactive treatment also
(placebo). In some cases, it may include
new treatments where their effectiveness
is tested. But, ultimately we need to know
more about the causes of depression to design
the best treatment strategies.
Understanding
what causes depression: Many studies
of depression are more basic in nature.
That is, the goal of the studies are to
understand just what goes wrong in depression
and what may change when depression improves.
For example, many studies examine how the
brain functions in those people with and
without major depression. These studies
often focus on brain activation, hormonal
regulation or sleep patterns.
Outcome studies
help us understand which treatments work
best for depressed patients in real world
situations. Outcome measures also help us
to look at exactly how an individual patient
is doing over time.
Prevention
is our ultimate goal. In order to prevent
depression we need to be able to predict
who might get depression and which of the
changes we see in the biology of depression
may be present before depression starts.
Good treatment can help prevent recurrences
of depression, but some of the consequences
of getting depressed may already be set
in motion. We know depression can affect
many systems of the body and increase the
likelihood of heart disease and loss of
bone calcium (osteoporosis). And we know
that stress and depression worsens many
other physical illnesses like diabetes or
asthma. New prevention strategies are needed
to stop the disease before it occurs.
Last updated on:
Thursday, 19-Jan-2006 10:27:34 EST
|
