Current Research Projects
Identification of Genetic and Neurobiologic Risk Factors for the Development of Early-Onset Bipolar Disorder
We are conducting a new five-year study of bipolar offspring. Participants must be children and adolescents 9-17 years old with ADHD or mood problems, who also have a parent with bipolar disorder. We ask the parent who has BD to participate in a phone interview for confirmation of the diagnosis. We are administering MRI, fMRI, and MRS scans of the brain, as well as many behavioral measures both at the beginning of the study and 1-5 years later. Additionally, we are gathering genetic information from all family members. These children receive a diagnostic interview and consultation with Dr. Chang, pictures of their brain, and financial reimbursement for participating in the study. This research is an attempt to discover which brain activation patterns, neurochemistry, and biological and genetic markers put bipolar offspring at higher risk for developing BD.
We are also looking for control subjects to participate in the study. These children must also be between 9 and 17 years old, and they must have no psychiatric diagnoses. Their parents must also have no diagnoses. These participants will also be paid for their involvement.
This study is funded by the NIH.
Family Focused Therapy for Children at Risk for Development of Bipolar Disorder
We are studying psychoeducational therapeutic techniques in families with bipolar disorder. Participating families must have at least one parent with bipolar disorder and at least one child who has significant mood problems. Family members receive thorough diagnostic evaluations and get randomized to either 12 weeks of treatment or a series of 3 family sessions plus clinical feedback.
This study is funded by the NIH.
NEW! Clinical Trial: The Evaluation of Lamotrigine (Lamictal) as an add on treatment for Bipolar I disorder in children and adolescents.
We are conducting a study for children ages 10-17 with BD I who take at least one medication but are still experiencing mood symptoms. In the first phase of the study, all children who qualify will take Lamotrigine (Lamictal) in addition to their current medication(s). In the next phase, children will be randomized to either continue taking Lamotrigine or to receive placebo. There are no family history requirements for this study.
This study is funded by GlaxoSmithKline.
NEW! Brain Imaging Study of Emotion Regulation in Adolescents with Mania
We are conducting a new two year study of adolescents with bipolar disorder. Participants must be children between 13-18 years old who were diagnosed with bipolar disorder within the past 6 months. Children and a parent or guardian will participate in an interview to confirm their diagnosis, behavioral assessments, and an MRI brain scan. Participants will receive a consultation from a child psychiatrist, pictures of their brain, and financial reimbursement for their participation. This study is an attempt to discover circuits in the brain involved in the processing of emotions and rewards. There are no family history requirements for this study.
This study is funded by the Klingenstein Third Generation Foundation.
