Open Studies Enrolling Participants
Together with the Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, we are actively recruiting participants for several clinical trials.
Why participate? We find that people decide to participate in clinical trials since they are looking for a new and different approach to managing their mental health. Also, people often participate since they are motivated to help with the discovery and development of new treatments for their condition. if you have general questions about our clinical trials, we welcome you to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
Why participate? We find that people decide to participate in clinical trials since they are looking for a new and different approach to managing their mental health. Also, people often participate since they are motivated to help with the discovery and development of new treatments for their condition. if you have general questions about our clinical trials, we welcome you to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
Studies Looking for Participants with Depression
Closed-Loop Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation for the Treatment of Depression (CLACS): Single-Site Open-Label Pilot Study
We investigate the effects of 5 days of personalized non-invasive brain stimulation on mood in people with depressive symptoms in a clinical research trial.
Who is eligible:
Ages 18-70
Diagnosis of major depressive disorder
Current depressive symptoms
What will you receive:
Up to $300
Free parking at study site
Study Outline:
1. Screening session (1h): Consent, eligibility, questionnaires. (remote option)
2. Stimulation week (each day 1.5h): five consecutive days with 40 min non-invasive brain stimulation, questionnaires
3. One-week follow-up (30 min): Online questionnaires.
4. Two-week follow-up (1h): Questionnaires & assessments. (Remote option)
Take our online screening to find out if you are eligible: https://redcap.link/CLACSStudy
Location:
100 Market Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
CCN@med.unc.edu
IRB #22-3094
Who is eligible:
Ages 18-70
Diagnosis of major depressive disorder
Current depressive symptoms
What will you receive:
Up to $300
Free parking at study site
Study Outline:
1. Screening session (1h): Consent, eligibility, questionnaires. (remote option)
2. Stimulation week (each day 1.5h): five consecutive days with 40 min non-invasive brain stimulation, questionnaires
3. One-week follow-up (30 min): Online questionnaires.
4. Two-week follow-up (1h): Questionnaires & assessments. (Remote option)
Take our online screening to find out if you are eligible: https://redcap.link/CLACSStudy
Location:
100 Market Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
CCN@med.unc.edu
IRB #22-3094
Augmenting Behavioral Activation (ABA) Study
This study provides a brief single-session of psychotherapy aimed at providing tools to manage depression. You may or may not receive non-invasive brain stimulation while receiving this therapy.
Who is Eligible:
Ages 18 and older
Current diagnosis of major depressive disorder
What will you receive:
Opportunity to explore your values and receive new strategies for managing your depression
Up to $100
Free parking on site
You will be asked to complete a baseline session (3 hours), a treatment session (2 hours), a follow-up session (2.5 hours), and fill out questionnaires online (0.5 hours)
Contact Erin (ABA_study@med.unc.edu) for more information or to schedule your phone screening.
Who is Eligible:
Ages 18 and older
Current diagnosis of major depressive disorder
What will you receive:
Opportunity to explore your values and receive new strategies for managing your depression
Up to $100
Free parking on site
You will be asked to complete a baseline session (3 hours), a treatment session (2 hours), a follow-up session (2.5 hours), and fill out questionnaires online (0.5 hours)
Contact Erin (ABA_study@med.unc.edu) for more information or to schedule your phone screening.
The MOOD Study-external Combined Occipital and Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (eCOT-NS) for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Study Purpose:
The purpose of this research is to evaluate whether the Relivion® DP device is safe and helpful in alleviating Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) symptoms. The device is used in the comfort of your own home.
Target Population:
People with Major Depressive Disorder, currently depressed.
Time Commitment:
Up to 20 weeks of home treatment.
Compensation:
Up to $300 ($50 per study visit, payable upon study completion).
Participants may qualify if:
Interested?
Please send us an email at mood_study@unc.edu and we will contact you.
Study Coordinator:
Anita Frohlich LL.M, RYT® 200, anita_frohlich@med.unc.edu
The purpose of this research is to evaluate whether the Relivion® DP device is safe and helpful in alleviating Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) symptoms. The device is used in the comfort of your own home.
Target Population:
People with Major Depressive Disorder, currently depressed.
Time Commitment:
Up to 20 weeks of home treatment.
Compensation:
Up to $300 ($50 per study visit, payable upon study completion).
Participants may qualify if:
- Have a primary diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- Are currently experiencing a major depressive episode not longer than 3 years
- Are currently taking at least one antidepressant medication
- Are NOT diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder or Major Depressive Disorder associated with Psychosis
- Do NOT have a primary diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Have NOT been diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) or a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) within the 6 months prior to enrollment.
Interested?
Please send us an email at mood_study@unc.edu and we will contact you.
Study Coordinator:
Anita Frohlich LL.M, RYT® 200, anita_frohlich@med.unc.edu
Mechanism of Action of Transcranial Alternating Current (tACS) Stimulation for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Study Purpose:
Investigating the effect of five consecutive treatments of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on brain signals and depression symptoms in people with depression.
Target Population:
People with current depression.
Time Commitment:
5 sessions on consecutive days. Each session lasting approximately 3-4 hours.
Compensation:
Up to $255.
Participants may qualify if they:
Interested?
You can check your eligibility with our brief and secure online screening tool:https://redcap.link/GLAD2Study
Study Coordinator:
For any questions, please contact Study Coordinator Tobias Schwippel, MD at tobias_schwippel@unc.edu
Investigating the effect of five consecutive treatments of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on brain signals and depression symptoms in people with depression.
Target Population:
People with current depression.
Time Commitment:
5 sessions on consecutive days. Each session lasting approximately 3-4 hours.
Compensation:
Up to $255.
Participants may qualify if they:
- Are between the ages of 18 and 70 years old
- Have a diagnosis of major depressive disorder or are currently depressed
- Have NOT been diagnosed with Psychosis, Bipolar Disorder or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Are NOT currently receiving treatment for ADHD
Interested?
You can check your eligibility with our brief and secure online screening tool:https://redcap.link/GLAD2Study
Study Coordinator:
For any questions, please contact Study Coordinator Tobias Schwippel, MD at tobias_schwippel@unc.edu
DEBRA- Causal role of delta-beta coupling for goal-directed behavior in anhedonia
Study Purpose:
To determine the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation on brain activity and mood in patients with Major Depressive Disorder
Target Population:
Adults with Major Depressive Disorder.
Time Commitment:
6.5 hours spread across three study visits.
Compensation:
Up to $120.
Participants may qualify if:
Interested?
Please send us an email at DEBRA@office.unc.edu
Study Coordinator:
Justin Riddle, PhD
To determine the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation on brain activity and mood in patients with Major Depressive Disorder
Target Population:
Adults with Major Depressive Disorder.
Time Commitment:
6.5 hours spread across three study visits.
Compensation:
Up to $120.
Participants may qualify if:
- Are between the ages of 18 and 65
- Have a current diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder or are currently experiencing symptoms of depression
- Are NOT currently taking medication for ADD or ADHD
- Do NOT have a current diagnosis or history of psychosis, substance use disorder(s), or a major neurological illness such as epilepsy.
Interested?
Please send us an email at DEBRA@office.unc.edu
Study Coordinator:
Justin Riddle, PhD
Open Studies for Healthy Controls
Infection and Inflammation in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Study Purpose:
The purpose of this study is to understand if activation of the immune system is different in patients with mild cognitive impairment when compared to people without mild cognitive impairment.
Target Population:
Participants between the ages of 50 and 80.
Time Commitment:
45-60 minutes.
Compensation:
Up to $30
Participants may qualify if they:
• Are between 50 and 80 years
• Do NOT have a current diagnosis and/or are receiving treatment for a neurological or psychiatric disorder
• Do NOT have a blood disorder or history of adverse reactions to blood draws
• Do NOT currently take antibiotics
Interested?
Please send us an email at cognition@med.unc.edu.
Study Coordinator:
Flavio Frohlich, PhD
The purpose of this study is to understand if activation of the immune system is different in patients with mild cognitive impairment when compared to people without mild cognitive impairment.
Target Population:
Participants between the ages of 50 and 80.
Time Commitment:
45-60 minutes.
Compensation:
Up to $30
Participants may qualify if they:
• Are between 50 and 80 years
• Do NOT have a current diagnosis and/or are receiving treatment for a neurological or psychiatric disorder
• Do NOT have a blood disorder or history of adverse reactions to blood draws
• Do NOT currently take antibiotics
Interested?
Please send us an email at cognition@med.unc.edu.
Study Coordinator:
Flavio Frohlich, PhD
STAR- Causal role of frontal-parietal connectivity in the control of working memory
Study Purpose:
To determine the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation on brain activity during a memory task.
Target Population:
Adults.
Time Commitment:
10 hours spread across 5 study visits.
Compensation:
Up to $170.
Participants may qualify if:
Are between the ages of 18-65
Are right-handed
Are NOT color-blind
Are NOT currently taking medication for ADD or ADHD
Do NOT have a neurological illness such as epilepsy
Do NOT have any metal implants that are not MRI safe
Interested?
Find more information at our Research for Me.
Study Coordinator:
Justin Riddle, PhD
To determine the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation on brain activity during a memory task.
Target Population:
Adults.
Time Commitment:
10 hours spread across 5 study visits.
Compensation:
Up to $170.
Participants may qualify if:
Are between the ages of 18-65
Are right-handed
Are NOT color-blind
Are NOT currently taking medication for ADD or ADHD
Do NOT have a neurological illness such as epilepsy
Do NOT have any metal implants that are not MRI safe
Interested?
Find more information at our Research for Me.
Study Coordinator:
Justin Riddle, PhD