Emotion-Regulating Protein Lacking in Panic Disorder

Researchers at NIMH have discovered that three brain areas of panic disorder patients are lacking in a key component of a chemical messenger system that regulates emotion.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/events/prPanicReceptor.cfm

Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program

The Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program (MAP) is an initiative of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), one of the world's premier mental health research organizations. It is a growing program with nationally and internationally renowned clinical researchers and basic scientists who investigate the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness. The program is divided into research groups specializing in areas such as depression,  bipolar disorder (manic-depression), anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and other disorders. These disorders are studied in children, adolescents, and adults. They apply a broad range of techniques including neurochemical, neuroendocrine, neurophysiological, and neuroimaging to conduct clinical and basic research exploration into the causes and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders.

The past decade of mental health research has yielded significant advances in both the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. These advances could not have occurred without the participation of many patients and families. Your participation contributes to increased knowledge about mental illness in general and may contribute to your own understanding of your condition. Medical evaluations, consultations, procedures and treatments related to MAP research studies are provided to you at no cost to you. MAP research is based on sound ethical foundations with a focus on compassionate care of research subjects and sensitive and responsible follow-up and referral.

During the next two years, the investigators of the MAP will launch over 50 new research projects with the objective of furthering understanding of mental illness and contributing knowledge so that new and better treatments can be developed. Treatment studies are a high priority.

Currently, MAP is recruiting subjects for a protocol entitled the "Effect of Fluoxetine on Attention and Memory in Anxious and Depressed Youth." This study will use magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine how the brain changes in adolescents receiving fluoxetine (Prozac) for anxiety or depression and will evaluate whether this drug is effective in treating anxiety and depression in adolescents.

For more infomation please call the toll-free number: 1-866-MAPNIMH.

Other NIMH research includes:

* A study to examine the effectiveness of  Riluzole (Rilutek) in major depression. This is a 6-week study conducted at the NIMH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Patients should be:
    - Age 18-60
    - Currently depressed
    -Otherwise medically healthy
The study includes medical and psychiatric evaluations, and research medication at no cost. Transportation reimbursement provided.

* A study to examine the effectiveness of pramipexole (Mirapex) in the depression phase of bipolar II disrder. This is an 8-week inpatient study of medication or placebo that will be added on to current treatment of lithium or valproate. Patients should be:
    -Age 18-60
    -Have a diagnosis of bipolar II and are currently7 depressed
    - Be currently taking lithium or valproate for mood stabilization

*A study to see if the chemical changes that occur in the brain with tamoxifen (Nolvadex) are similar to that of lithium and valproate, and are associated with improvement of manic symptoms in bipolar I disorder. This is a 4-week inpatient study of medication or placebo. Patients should be:
    - Male
    - Age 18-60
    - Have a diagnosis of bipolar I and be currently manic.
This study includes medical and psychiatric evaluations, and a treatment phase at no cost. The study is conducted at the NIMH Clinical Center in Bethesda,  Maryland.

For further information on these studies, call 301-496-5645
(TTY: 1-866-411-1010)

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Is your child taking RISPERIDONE (RISPERDAL)?

If so, he/she may be eligible for a research study at Ohio State University.

The study is looking at how risperidone is absorbed and distributed through the blood.  It is also looking to see if saliva samples can be used in place of blood samples.  To be eligible, your child must be between the ages of 4 – 14.  Samples of saliva and blood will be collected.

Families can receive up to $155 for participation.

For more information, call (614) 688-3375.

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ADHD Being Studied in Children with Autism and Other PDDs

Researchers at Ohio State University have been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health to look at the usefulness of two medicines in children with autism or other types of pervasive developmental disorder. The Ohio State group are part of a network of five medical centers (Yale, U.C.L.A., Johns Hopkins, and Indiana University) doing this research.  By banding together, this network is able to do larger studies in a shorter time than was previously possible.

The researchers are trying to determine whether two medicines are beneficial in reducing overactivity, impulsiveness, and distractibility.  Children with these kinds of  difficulties are sometimes diagnosed as having "ADHD" or "Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder."  Hyperactivity (severe overactivity, impulsiveness, and distractibility) is very often a significant problem for children with autism and related conditions, such as pervasive developmental disorder—NOS, and Asperger's disorder.

Surveys show that medicines like Ritalin and clonidine (Catapres) are often used to treat such children.  However there are almost no  recent studies of any size to guide this practice.  The researchers at Ohio State are assessing methylphenidate (non-brand Ritalin) and a "blood pressure" medicine, called guanfacine (Tenex).  Children who have not received methylphenidate previously (or who received a trial of medicine a long time ago—more than 2 years ago) will be offered an opportunity to join a dosage study of methylphenidate.  Children who previously had an unsatisfactory experience with Ritalin  (methylphenidate) or who have higher-than-average blood pressure will be offered the opportunity to join the guanfacine study.  If children join the methylphenidate study and don't show reasonable benefit, they may be able to join the guanfacine study as well.

The research team, headed by Michael Aman, Ph.D., is looking for eligible children to take part.  Eligibility criteria include the following.  The child must be between 5 and 14 years, inclusive.  The child must  have a form of PDD: autism, PDD—NOS, or Asperger's disorder.  The child must have significant overactivity, impulsiveness, and distractibility as perceived by the parent and teacher.  In addition, the child must not be taking other behavioral medicines at the time of the study; the research team can discuss with families who are interested whether these can be discontinued.

If parents, teachers, or other professionals would like to learn more about this study, they may do so by phoning the study coordinator, Andrea Rohr.  Andrea Rohr's phone number is (614) 292-7022.  If Andrea is not available, you can contact Dr. Aman at (614) 688-4196.  The researchers hope to report back to NAMI Ohio, sometime in the future, what the findings of this study showed.