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Are your current antidepressants not helping? Learn more about clinical trials and how to participate.
For those going through stubborn depression episodes who are taking medication, but not finding relief, finding solutions can feel hopeless. But emerging research provides reasons for optimism.
Across the country, scientists and clinicians are conducting clinical trials to evaluate innovative therapies that offer hope to those suffering. By participating in a depression study at Green Mountain Research Institute, you can access these promising experimental medications while also helping advance science, and possibly help many others with the same struggles.
This guide explains the clinical trial process, and how participating in a study could provide much-needed relief when other treatments have failed.
Why Consider an MDD Clinical Trial?
Clinical trials are scientific studies involving volunteers that carefully test new interventions for conditions like depression. These interventions may include:
New antidepressant compounds
Medical devices like TMS that stimulate the brain
Digital tools delivering therapy via smartphones
Alternative approaches like controlled psychedelics
Tailored combinations and optimization of existing treatments
The goal is to determine whether these emerging options are safe, effective, and show adequate symptom improvement for patients. This requires robust testing and oversight.
By participating in a depression clinical trial, you gain access to these cutting-edge treatments years before they become widely available. You’ll also receive close medical supervision, with study-related costs and medication covered - so it's a great option for those who have a hard time seeing a specialist, that don't have good insurance coverage, or that want to try something new.
Being in a study accelerates the development of new therapies that could help millions suffering from depression worldwide. The knowledge gained through clinical research guides future standards of care.
Green Mountain Research Institute, in Rutland, VT, is currently doing a phase 3 study on a new adjunctive medication (to be taken alongside your current meds) for those in a current major depressive episode, who aren't getting enough relief from their current medication alone. There is no cost to participate, and no insurance is involved or required. Participants can get paid up to $75 per clinic visit.
How Does Participating An A Depression Clinical Trial Work - A Step-By-Step Guide
Clinical trials follow a rigorous process defined by regulations to protect participants:
1. Prescreening
Potential volunteers complete a brief questionnaire over the phone to determine if they meet basic eligibility criteria based on the trial protocol. Sometimes medical records are requested to confirm that it's safe and that they are eligible. Those deemed eligible will be invited to come to our clinic for additional screening.
2.Screening
Before you do anything study related, you will be given an informed consent. This tells you everything from potential risks and benefits of participating, and you'd have a chance to talk to the study team before making a decision about participating. After that, if you want to participate, the screening process will involve collecting your medical history, physical exams, clinical assessments like blood tests and EKG's, and more interviews to evaluate your symptoms. All of these will confirm if you are a good candidate who meets requirements for inclusion. For patient safety, only those who meet strict criteria overseen by various ethical committees, and medical professionals will be allowed in a study.
3. Randomization, Blinding, and Treatment visits
Eligible participants are randomly assigned to receive either the experimental treatment or an inactive placebo control. This is done via a computer system that decides blindly-so neither you nor our team will know what you are receiving. Concealing group assignments avoids bias. The study doctor can unblind your treatment if ever clinically needed. You will be provided with the medication to take home with you, and take it as directed by the study team.
Volunteers are closely monitored through regular clinic visits and testing throughout the study. This tracks outcomes like symptom changes, side effects, and safety data.
Study participation length and frequency varies from study to study. This particular study will last roughly 2 months, with visits to our clinic about once a week.
Once the treatment period ends, you will have a follow up visit (or two) with our team for one last evaluation to ensure that you won't need any more follow-up and that there was no issues after discontinuing the study medication.
4. Results Analysis
After completion, researchers analyze results to determine if the experimental treatment shows efficacy versus placebo control based on measurable outcomes. Typically, if the study show promise, it will continue into the next phase of research (usually a bigger group of volunteers, looking at best dosage etc.), or it will move on to get FDA approval so that Doctors can openly prescribe it for use.
If you or someone you love is interested in participating, feel free to reach out to us here for more information or to find out if you qualify.
You can also speak directly to the study coordinator, Liz by calling (802) 613-7611
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