Research Studies
The UConn Health Department of Psychiatry has a large and diverse interdisciplinary research portfolio with multiple studies targeting different psychiatric conditions across the lifespan. Our nationally and internationally recognized research programs focus on treatment, prevention, and surveillance/epidemiology across a variety of diverse clinical and general population samples of children and families, adolescents, adults, and older adults.
Our annual research budget of over $10 million is derived from various federal and state agencies, industry, national and local foundations, philanthropy, and other sources. Our research programs include original investigations as well as training grants and career development awards. Department of Psychiatry investigators typically receive funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), the Brain and Behavior Foundation, the CHDI (Cure Huntington's Disease Initiative) Foundation, and the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood and other State of Connecticut agencies.
Our faculty’s research interests span the gamut of emotional, mental, and behavioral disorders and their prevention and treatment. We have unique expertise and research programs related to adult and childhood trauma, alcohol and substance use disorders, mood and cognitive disorders in the elderly, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological/behavioral intervention clinical trials. Currently, we are engaged in studies related to:
- Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
- Alcohol use disorders and related conditions
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Childhood anxiety
- Childhood trauma
- Depression and other mood disorders in adults
- Family conflict
- Geriatric depression
- HIV
- Huntington’s disease
- Post-partum disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance use disorders
For Trainees and Students
Our research program is an integral part of our departmental activities and informs the treatment that we provide to our patients. We are also pleased that we involve medical and dental students, trainees (interns, residents, and clinical and research fellows), and other students (high school, undergraduates, and graduate students) in our research activities that are consistent with the trainee’s interests and skill set. If you are interested in learning how you might become involved in one or more of our research projects, please contact the faculty member leading each project (see descriptions of each project below).
For Those Interested in Participating in Research
Our currently active research studies are listed below. Some studies focus on novel treatments/clinical trials, while others do not involve treatment per se. As you read through the description of each study, you will find the name and contact information of a research assistant working on each study. If you are interested in participating in one or more of our research projects, please call the research assistant listed for the study.
Adults
UConn Health investigates emotional control in healthy aging and depression.
In this study we are using brain imaging to look for brain changes related to happiness in older adults and other changes that might predict worsening in depression over two years.
Recruiting adults 45 to 75 years old who:
- Have no history of depression
or
- Are in remission from a depressive disorder
Participation involves:
- 4 to 8 study appointments.
- Interviews and evaluations.
- Testing of thinking and memory.
- One-time MRI brain scan at UConn Health
- No cost for participation.
- All study appointments, except the MRI, can be done remotely
Payment to participants includes $100 at completion of the baseline assessments and $50 at completion of each of the follow-up assessments at 6 and 12 months for a total of up to $200 for the 1-year study.
Principal Investigator: Lihong Wang, M.D., Department of Psychiatry
To learn more about the study, contact Dr. Wang at 860-679-7881 or lwang@uchc.edu.
IRB Number: 20-122-1
Recruitment closing date: June 2023
Dr. Manning talks about this study and others with the Alzheimer's Association Connecticut Chapter.
This study examines ways to empower women to complete HIV testing and will determine whether financial incentives promotes HIV testing. Participants can earn up to $210 for their time, which includes 4 interviews over 15 months. All participants will also receive brief education from a trained counselor to encourage HIV testing, and some participants can earn an additional $120 for HIV testing. You may be eligible if you are a woman 18 years or older.
Principal Investigator: Kristyn Zajac, Ph.D.
Who to Contact: Ruth Fetter, 860-422-3210, fetter@uchc.edu
Spanish speaking participants can contact Maria Ortiz, 959-202-1176, maortiz@uchc.edu.
IRB Number: 19-018-1
End date: May 2023
This study is to help people reduce drinking and could lead to better methods of treating substance abuse. Participants can earn $344 for their time, which consists of brief weekly visits with a research assistant for 3 months and 6 interviews over 12 months. The study also includes the submission of breath, urine, and finger-prick blood samples periodically throughout treatment and follow-up phases. You may qualify if you are in an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for alcohol use.
Principal Investigator: Sheila Alessi, Ph.D.
Who to Contact: Amy Novotny, 860-989-7105, anovotny@uchc.edu
IRB Number: 19-146-2
End date: May 2024
A clinical research study is now enrolling eligible adults.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational medicine in people with depression.
You may be eligible to participate if you:
- Are 18 to 74 years of age.
- Have been diagnosed with depression.
- Have taken antidepressants in the past that did not work well for you.
- Are currently taking an antidepressant medication but still have symptoms of depression.
If you are interested, additional eligibility criteria will be assessed by the study doctor or staff.
You can expect to be in the study for up to 10 to 12 weeks. If you stop the study early, you will be asked to complete the early withdrawal visit and come to the study center for additional assessments.
In some cases, you may have the option to continue participation for up to an additional 52 weeks.
Qualified patients may receive study-related medical care and investigational study medication at no cost. The study will not pay for other medical care or current medication(s) needed to support your daily health care routine.
To learn more about this clinical research study, please call our study team at 860-679-7539.
IRB Number: W21-027-2
Enrollment end date: April 2022
Do you use a smartphone?
Are you willing to use a Fitbit (provided by study)?
You could help us develop a treatment prediction system for patients with depression.
Study Eligibility: English speaker, 18 years or older, and starting a new medication treatment for depression or starting a dose increase of existing depression treatment
Compensation for all 12 weeks of participation: $90
This study is being conducted by Dr. Jayesh Kamath from UConn Health’s Department of Psychiatry and Dr. Bing Wang from UConn’s Computer Science and Engineering Department.
Call us at 860-679-7539 to learn more.
IRB Number: H19-078
Enrollment end date: April 2022
Dr. Jayesh Kamath from UConn Health’s Department of Psychiatry is conducting a clinical research study of an investigational medication for adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD).
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of the investigational medication when it is used alone in adults with TRD.
You may be eligible to participate if you:
- Are 18 years of age or older.
- Have been diagnosed with TRD.
- Have not adequately responded to at least 2 different antidepressant treatments.
If you are interested, additional eligibility criteria will be assessed by the study doctor or staff. Study participation will last up to 24 weeks.
Qualified participants may receive investigational study medication and some study-required medical care at no cost.
Want to learn more? Call our study coordinator at 860-679-7539.
IRB Number: O21-071-2
Enrollment end date: January 2022
Have you experience or witnessed a traumatic event? Do you have unwanted memories, experience flashbacks, or avoid situations that remind you of the event? If so, you may have a condition called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Dr. Jayesh Kamath, from UConn Health’s Department of Psychiatry, is currently enrolling volunteers for a clinical trial looking at an investigational drug for the treatment of PTSD. To pre-qualify for this study, volunteers must be 18 to 65 years of age and have been experiencing PTSD symptoms for at least the past 6 months.
All study-related tests and study drugs will be provided at no cost. Reimbursement for study-related travel and other expenses related to participation may be available.
To learn more, please call 860-679-7539.
IRB Number: U20-082-2
Enrollment end date: February 2022
Male and female drinkers needed for a research study. Free study medication for 24-weeks (active drug or inactive placebo) and up to $620 for completing all study visits. Call Dr. Covault’s office at 860-679-7000. All calls are confidential.
Principal Investigator: Jonathan Covault, M.D., Ph.D.
IRB Number: 19-147-2
Enrollment end date: 2024
Volunteers needed for a research study. This study looks at how unemployment and alcohol use relate.
Participation involves:
- 6 interviews over a year.
- Individual meetings 1 time per week for 12 weeks that may help you find a job.
- Answering cell phone calls regularly for 12 weeks to monitor alcohol use.
Participants are compensated up to $994 in checks and gift cards over the year for their time and participation. Some participants have chances to win prizes worth $1 to $100.
Call Bill at 860-729-2648 for a confidential screening. Locations throughout Connecticut.
Principal Investigator: Carla Rash, Ph.D., Department of Medicine
IRB Number: 15-041-2
Enrollment end date: June 30, 2022
Volunteers needed for a research study. This study looks at how to promote employment for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
Participation involves:
- 7 interviews over 18 months.
- Individual meetings 1 time per week for 16 weeks that may help you find a job.
Participants are compensated up to $495 in checks and gift cards for their time and participation. Some participants have chances to win prizes worth $1 to $100.
Call Maria at 203-800-6614 for a confidential screening. Locations throughout Connecticut.
Principal Investigator: Carla Rash, Ph.D., Department of Medicine
IRB Number: 18-1782
Enrollment end date: January 31, 2024
Do you have concern over your thinking and memory? Would you like to participate in a study on cognitive fitness?
UConn Health study investigates effects of brain training treatment on thinking, memory, and mood. We are recruiting men and women over 60 who are currently being treated with antidepressants. We want to understand whether engaging in cognitively stimulating activities (e.g., brain games, watching educational videos, reading) can improve memory, thinking, and symptoms of depression in older adults.
Participation involves:
- Interviews and evaluations.
- Testing of thinking and memory.
- Optional MRI brain scans.
- No cost for participation.
- 32-40 hours of brain-training exercises over 4-6 weeks. Subjects will be randomly assigned to 1 of 2 cognitive fitness programs.
- All appointments and training exercises, except for optional MRIs, are completed remotely from your home.
Payment to participants includes $40 at completion of each of the two assessment visits and $40 at completion of each of two optional MRI visits for a total of up to $160 for the 14-month study.
To learn more about this study, call Dr. Manning at 860-679-2272.
Principal Investigator: Kevin Manning, Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry
IRB Number: 21-046-2
Enrollment end date: August 1, 2023
The UConn Health Huntington’s Disease Program is participating in a study called Enroll-HD: A Prospective Registry Study in a Global Huntington’s Disease Cohort (Enroll-HD). Enroll-HD is a worldwide Huntington’s disease (HD) observational, multi-center study.
The primary objective of Enroll-HD is to improve the understanding of the disease mechanisms of HD by collecting data from families affected by HD in an effort to improve our understanding and treatment of the disease.
There are no potential therapies or invasive procedures in this study.
Any member of a family affected by HD can take part. This includes:
- Individuals who know they carry the expanded gene, whether they show signs and symptoms of the disease.
- Individuals who are at risk of developing the disease (but have not undergone genetic testing).
- Individuals who have a family history of HD but know they do not carry the expanded gene.
- Spouses/partners (not blood related) of family members with HD.
Children under the age of 18 with clinically diagnosed juvenile HD may be included in this study with the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
Enroll HD is an open ended study, which means it has no definite end time, but you can leave at any time you choose. You will attend one study visit each year.
For more information about this study, contact:
Robin Zingales-Browne, M.S.N., APRN
Study Coordinator
Huntington’s Disease Program
UConn Health
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06030
Phone: 860-679-4441
Fax: 860-679-1945
Families with Children
ARCS is a large study that seeks to understand how family conflict and other stressors affect the development and behavior of young children. ARCS will help us to identify ways that families and professionals can help to build resilience in young children who have experienced family conflict or violence.
We invite participation from mothers and their 4- to 6-year-old children. We are seeking mothers who have experienced partner conflict and mothers who have not experienced it. Mothers must be 18 years or older and be able to answer study questions in English.
This study involves a visit to our child-friendly laboratory. Mothers answer survey and interview questions and do activities with their children. Kids do computer and puzzle-like activities with one of our team members. In addition, kids “talk” with our puppets about their feelings and experiences. We also use safe, sticky sensors to see how kids react to different emotional facial expressions presented on a computer screen. (Don’t worry! We explain all about the sensors at the time of the visit – mothers decide about it once they see how it all works.)
There is plenty of time for breaks and snacks. The visit usually takes about 3 to 4 hours. Because kids usually finish before mothers do, we entertain them while they wait. Our lab is at 65 Kane Street in West Hartford. This is close to I-84 and bus routes. It is a building over from the Goldroc Diner.
Mothers can earn up to $250 in gift cards to Stop and Shop. Children receive several gifts and prizes, including a UConn Health Kid Scientist t-shirt and backpack, toys, and other prizes.
Travel support is available as needed. If visits occur during mealtime, we will help to coordinate so that you and your child can eat.
Want to find out more? Contact our research coordinator at 860-798-8790 or enrollment specialist Mayra Pino at 860-384-5102.
Want to know if you are eligible? Visit the ARCS U01 Screening Tool to answer our questions and find out if you are eligible in minutes!
End date: May 2024
CALM is a research study funded by the U.S. Department of Education. In the study, elementary school nurses are trained to help support students struggling with anxiety.
Currently, the CALM study is enrolling school nurses interested in training to support students and families with children who may benefit from learning skills to better manage anxiety. More detailed information is provided below, and please feel free to contact us to learn more.
Contact the CALM Team at 860-523-3788 or CALM@uchc.edu.
For Elementary School Nurses
Enhancing the Capacity of School Nurses to Reduce Child Anxiety (CALM)
What is this study about?
This research study was funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences to compare two interventions to reduce anxiety symptoms and improve academic functioning in 5- to 12-year-old children. Both interventions are brief, evidence-based, and delivered by school nurses in 5 to 6 sessions of 20 to 30 minutes each.
Why should you volunteer for this study?
- Learn strategies to help students who are struggling with anxiety
- Receive free training and supervision
- Receive copies of the intervention manual and handouts to use with youth
- Receive financial compensation for completing study requirements (up to $225 in your first year)
What will you be asked to do?
- Attend one-day virtual training (usually during the weekend or after school)
- Recruit students with excessive anxiety from your school
- Deliver the brief intervention to students (5 to 6 meetings)
- Receive supervision/consultation from the CALM Team (virtual)
- Complete study questionnaires
Here’s what school nurses said about CALM:
“To all, it’s been a pleasure and privilege to be part of this project. Thank you.”
“Thank you so much for this invaluable experience. I am a better practitioner because of it.”
“The handouts are phenomenal, and the clinical supervision was wonderful.”
100% of participating nurses said they would recommend the CALM program.
For Families of Children Ages 5 to 12 Who May Be Experiencing Anxiety
- Is your child very nervous, anxious, or shy?
- Does your child seem afraid, worried, or stressed?
- Your school nurse may be able to help.
What is the goal of this study?
The aim of this research study is to compare two versions of a brief nurse-administered intervention called Children’s Anxiety Learning Modules (CALM) to reduce anxiety and improve academic functioning. The research is being conducted in U.S. schools. There is no medication involved in this study.
Who is eligible?
Children ages 5 to 12 years old whose worry or anxiety makes life hard for them.
What is involved in participating in this study?
- You and your child will meet with study staff virtually or in person for a free evaluation to see if this study is right for your child.
- If eligible, you will randomly be assigned to receive 1 of 2 free interventions for anxiety from the school nurse. Interventions include 5 to 6 brief (20 to 30 minutes) student-nurse sessions to learn effective coping skills (1 in 5 students will wait 8 weeks before starting the intervention).
- You and your child will meet with study staff 2 more times after the intervention so we can see if your child’s anxiety has improved.
- Families may earn up to $140 in gift cards for participating.
Want to find out more? Contact the CALM Team at 860-523-3788 or CALM@uchc.edu.
Principal Investigator: Golda Ginsburg, Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry
IRB Number: 21-037-2
Funded By: U.S. Department of Education
End date: May 2025
Have you experienced something very stressful?
Parents who have experienced something very stressful and their children (9-12 years old) are invited to participate in the Parent and Child Emotions Study (PACES). This research study is designed to help us learn more about how children manage their emotions. We also hope to learn new ways for parents to help their children learn these skills. This can be especially important for families who have experienced stress.
What is involved?
- Participation takes place remotely from your home right now: Adults complete an on-line survey about stressful events that have occurred in your and your child’s life, your emotions, and how you cope with them. Kids answer questions about their emotions during an on-line video chat with a member of the study staff.
- In about 6-12 months: You and your child will be invited to our lab to meet with study staff for an in-person visit to complete additional questionnaires and participate in activities together.
- Your family will receive $50 in gift cards for completing the on-line portion and an additional $100 in gift cards for the in-person visit.
Want to find out more? Contact the PACES Team at 860-523-6458 or at PACES@uchc.edu.
Want to know if you are eligible? Visit the PACES Screening Tool to answer our questions and find out if you are eligible in minutes!
Enrollment end date: May 2022
Is your child very worried, anxious, or stressed about the transition to middle school?
A new program called TEAMSS (Transitioning Emotionally and Academically to Middle School Successfully) may be able to help.
What is TEAMSS?
TEAMSS is a research study designed to develop and assess a multi-component intervention to reduce anxiety and improve academic functioning through the transition to middle school. There is no medication involved in this study.
Who is eligible?
Students in their last year of elementary school who will be transitioning to middle school and whose worry/anxiety makes life harder for them.
What is involved in participating in this study?
- Parents and children will meet with study staff virtually or in person for a free evaluation to see if this study is right for your child.
- If eligible, your child will meet with their middle school clinician for a school tour in their last year of elementary school. They will also receive written material on tips for a successful transition to middle school. At the start of middle school, students will meet in a group (with other students (about 6-7 times over 10 weeks) virtually or at their school.
- School clinicians will host two parent group meeting and will consult with your child’s teacher about how to lower anxiety and succeed in a smooth transition to middles school.
- You and your child will complete a total of 4 assessments (virtually or in person based on your preference with study staff) before and after the intervention.
- Your participation in the study will be approximately 12 months.
Are there benefits or compensation?
- We do not know if your child will benefit from being in this study, but your child may learn new ways to cope with life’s stressors and feel less scared and worried.
- You and your child can receive up to $70 in gift cards for your participation for completing all 4 study evaluations.
For more information, contact the TEAMSS study team at 860-523-6441 or TEAMSS@uchc.edu.
Principal Investigator: Golda Ginsburg, Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry
IRB Number: 22-114OS-1
Funded by: U.S. Department of Education
Older Adults
Mood, Cognition, and Aging Research
UConn Health investigates emotional control in healthy aging and depression.
In this study we are using brain imaging to look for brain changes related to happiness in older adults and other changes that might predict worsening in depression over two years.
Recruiting adults 45 to 75 years old who:
- Have no history of depression
or
- Are in remission from a depressive disorder
Participation involves:
- 4 to 8 study appointments.
- Interviews and evaluations.
- Testing of thinking and memory.
- One-time MRI brain scan at UConn Health
- No cost for participation.
- All study appointments, except the MRI, can be done remotely
Payment to participants includes $100 at completion of the baseline assessments and $50 at completion of each of the follow-up assessments at 6 and 12 months for a total of up to $200 for the 1-year study.
Principal Investigator: Lihong Wang, M.D., Department of Psychiatry
To learn more about the study, contact Dr. Wang at 860-679-7881 or lwang@uchc.edu.
IRB Number: 20-122-1
Recruitment closing date: June 2023
Dr. Manning talks about this study and others with the Alzheimer's Association Connecticut Chapter.
This study seeks to understand cognitive and brain changes related to apathy (loss of interest and motivation) in early Alzheimer’s disease versus depression.
Recruiting men and women ages 65 to 85 who have:
- Early-stage Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment
or
- Depression
Participation involves:
- 4 to 7 appointments at UConn Health.
- One-time blood draw.
- Interviews and evaluations.
- Testing of thinking and memory.
- One-time MRI brain scan.
- No cost for participation.
- During COVID-19, most appointments can be done remotely
Payment to participants includes $100 at completion of the baseline assessment, $100 at completion of the 12-month assessments, and $75 at completion of the 24-month assessments for a total of up to $285 for the 2-year study.
To learn more about the study, contact Darlene Winkelman at 860-679-8935 or winkelman@uchc.edu or Suzanne Crumb at 860-679-8497 or crumb@uchc.edu.
Principal Investigator: David Steffens, M.D., Department of Psychiatry
IRB Number: 19-214-1
Enrollment end date: August 1, 2022
Dr. Manning talks about this study and others with the Alzheimer's Association Connecticut Chapter.
Do you have concern over your thinking and memory? Would you like to participate in a study on cognitive fitness?
UConn Health study investigates effects of brain training treatment on thinking, memory, and mood. We are recruiting men and women over 60 who are currently being treated with antidepressants. We want to understand whether engaging in cognitively stimulating activities (e.g., brain games, watching educational videos, reading) can improve memory, thinking, and symptoms of depression in older adults.
Participation involves:
- Interviews and evaluations.
- Testing of thinking and memory.
- Optional MRI brain scans.
- No cost for participation.
- 32-40 hours of brain-training exercises over 4-6 weeks. Subjects will be randomly assigned to 1 of 2 cognitive fitness programs.
- All appointments and training exercises, except for optional MRIs, are completed remotely from your home.
Payment to participants includes $40 at completion of each of the two assessment visits and $40 at completion of each of two optional MRI visits for a total of up to $160 for the 14-month study.
To learn more about this study, call Dr. Manning at 860-679-2272.
Principal Investigator: Kevin Manning, Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry
IRB Number: 21-046-2
Enrollment end date: August 1, 2023
Dr. Manning talks about this study and others with the Alzheimer's Association Connecticut Chapter.
Are you feeling sad or blue? Are you experiencing a loss of interest in activities or people you once enjoyed?
We are recruiting adults 60 years or older who are experiencing symptoms of depression to investigate the effects of stress on mood, cognition, and response to treatment of depression in older adults.
During this 3-5 year research study, participation will involve:
- A one-time blood test that will include genetic studies
- 2 MRI brain scans
- Annual interviews and memory testing
- Regular appointments with a geriatric psychiatrist who will offer free treatment with FDA-approved antidepressants*
*If antidepressants provided through the study are not effective for a participant, the psychiatrist can prescribe others that will be filled by the participant’s insurance.
All study-related tests and appointments are provided at no cost to participants.
Most appointments can be done remotely.
Participants may receive payments of $100 after completion of all baseline procedures (screening, baseline interviews/assessments, and MRI), and $100 for each annual visit completed, for a total of $300 to $500 over the course of the study.
For more information and to answer any questions, please contact Judy Anderson, clinical research assistant, at 860-679-7571 or judanderson@uchc.edu.
Principal Investigator: David Steffens, M.D., Department of Psychiatry
IRB Number: 13-048-6
Enrollment end date: September 1, 2024