Current Research Projects
** Several of our studies are currently recruiting healthy controls. Please contact us at (650) 725-6760. **
Early Intervention Using Family Focused Therapy for Youth at Risk for Bipolar Disorder
We are studying the effects of Family Focused Therapy (FFT) in families who have a parent with bipolar disorder (BD). Children of a parent(s) with BD who experience mood symptoms are at risk of developing BD themselves. Pharmacological treatments for the prodrome of BD have not produced conclusive results (Miklowitz and Chang 2008). However, psychosocial interventions – particularly, those involving skill training with family members as well as high-risk youth – are well suited to children with or at risk for BD. The study will explore both psychosocial and neural activation variables that may be markers of vulnerability in high-risk youth that forecast disease onset and that may moderate the efficacy of treatment.
Families participating in this study have at least one parent diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BD) and at least one child aged 9-17 experiencing mood problems. The at-risk child receives diagnostic evaluations and brain imaging, and are randomized to either 12 weeks of family therapy treatment or a series of 3 family therapy sessions and 3 individual sessions. The proposed study will test whether or not a 4-month, 12-session family-focused treatment promotes symptom remission, prevents or delays illness onset, and enhances functioning among youth at high risk for BD over 2-4 years.
This study is funded by the NIMH.
Brain Connectivity and Mindfulness Training in Youth with Bipolar Disorder NOS
We are studying the behavioral and neural effects of Mindfulness Based Stressed Reduction for Teens (MBSR-T) therapy for individuals with bipolar disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS), an early form of BD, or mood disregulation. Mindfulness based-therapies (MBT) focus on being present in the moment, increasing awareness of the self, and attending to daily experience. MBSR-T was found to improve symptoms, functioning, and diagnostic outcome in 102 adolescents 13-18 years old with a variety of psychiatric conditions, including 52 with mood disorders (Biegel et al 2009). Participants of the study are aged 13-18 and have significant mood symptoms (Bipolar Disorder NOS) and a family history of bipolar disorder. Participants will complete interviews and MRI scans, and will participate in group therapy lasting 12 weeks.
This study is funded by the NIMH
Effects of Group Cognitive Behavioral Intervention on Stress-Induced Inflammatory Response in Youth at High Risk for Bipolar Disorder?
We are studying the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on youth with or at high risk for bipolar disorder (BD). Participants of the study are ages 12-17 and complete interviews, questionnaires, and blood draws as we attempt to investigate both the psychological and biological responses to stress.
This study is also examining stress-induced inflammatory response by doing a blood draw pre and post CBT intervention. During this blood draw, a stress test is conducted in order to evaluate pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine response. We are particularly interested in pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.
This study hopes to better understand the relation between stress and cytokine secretion in youth with or at risk for BD. We also hope to identify how psychosocial intervention interacts with immune-regulatory processes.
This study is funded by Spectrum Child Health, Stanford University School of Medicine and the Klingenstein Third Generation Foundation Fellowship.
Therapy for Teens with Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
This research study looks at the effects of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) on brain activity. Brain activity will be measured by conducting magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans before and after therapy. MRI is safe and does not involve any radiation or injections. Participants of the study are girls between the ages of 12 and 17 who have experienced abuse and may be having symptoms of PTSD and have no braces or non-removable piercings (for the scans). Participants not only receive free therapy but also compensation for their time and a picture of their brain from the scans. For more information, parents should call Principal Investigator: Amy Garrett, Ph.D., contact: 650-736-1874; agarrett@stanford.edu and general information for participant’s rights is available at 1-866-680-2906.
This study is funded by the NIMH
Neurobiologic and Immunologic Markers in Youth with Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS)
This study is exploring the presentation of psychiatric symptoms as a result of some form of auto-immune issue. The cause and treatment of Pediatric Acute Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) is not well understood, so this study seeks to improve our understanding of the condition in order to produce better treatment options in the future. Participants in the study must be between the ages of 4 and 18 and experiencing either OCD type symptoms or difficulties with mood regulation. In the study, participants will undergo a medical evaluation, blood draw, MRI scan, and psychiatric interviews. Participants will be compensated for their participation. .
This study is funded by Spectrum Child Health, Stanford University School of Medicine
Resilience in Offspring of Parents with Mood Disorders
This study focuses on resilience and risk in healthy children of parents affected by mood disorders, including Bipolar Disorder (BD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). We hope to chart the evolution of mood disorders in youth at risk starting from health in order to understand ideal times and methods for intervention to prevent serious mood problems in children. Participants must be between the ages of 9 and 17 years of age and can not be experiencing any mood or psychiatric symptoms. At least one parent must be diagnosed with either Bipolar Disorder or Major Depressive Disorder. You and your family will be compensated for participating in evaluations and MRIs. Your participation will most likely last for at least 8 hours over two days at Stanford University.
This study is funded by Spectrum Child Health, Stanford University School of Medicine
Past Research Projects
Stress-Induced Inflammatory Response Study
We are studying the role of stress on the lives of children ages 10-17 who have at least one parent with bipolar disorder, or who have bipolar disorder themselves, or who are healthy. This study involves interviews, questionnaires, and blood draws as we are investigating both psychological and biological responses to stress.
This study is no longer recruiting participants.
This study is funded by Spectrum Child Health, Stanford University School of Medicine
Clinical Trial: Efficacy and Safety of Asenapine Treatment in Pediatric Bipolar I Disorder.
We are conducting a study for children ages 12-17 with bipolar I who are experiencing mood symptoms. In the first phase (3 weeks) of the study, all children who qualify will be randomized to either take Asenapine (Saphris) or to receive a placebo. In the next phase, all children will take Asenapine. There are no family history requirements for this study. All medications, visits with the psychiatrist, and other aspects of the study are free for participants during study participation.
This study is no longer recruiting participants.
This study is funded by Schering-Plough Research Institute.
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 no longer recruiting participants.
This study is funded by the NIH.
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 no longer recruiting participants.
This study is funded by GlaxoSmithKline.
Multimodal Neuroimaging and Genetics in Pediatric Bipolar Disorder
We are conducting a study for children ages 8-16 who are healthy and have a parent with bipolar disorder. Children will participate in an interview along with the parents, behavioral assessments, and an MRI brain scan. Participants will receive pictures of their brain and financial reimbursement for their participation. We are also collecting genetic information from the child and his or her parents.
This study is no longer recruiting participants.
This study is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.
Brain Imaging Study of Emotion Regulation in Adolescents with Mania
We are conducting a 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.
We are also looking for control subjects to participate in the study. These children must also be between 13 and 18 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 no longer recruiting participants.
This study is funded by the Klingenstein Third Generation Foundation.
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.
This study is no longer recruiting participants.
This study is funded by the NIH.
