Current Studies
The Anxiety and Depression Research Center is currently engaged in studies to improve treatment outcomes for depression, anxiety disorders, and non-suicidal self-injury. We also conduct studies comparing the general population to treatment-seeking individuals which opens participation guidelines to a wider population.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like more information about the possibility of becoming a study participant. We offer monetary compensation and/or free-of-charge treatments.
TREATMENT FOR AFFECT DIMENSIONS (TAD)
The Treatment for Affect Dimensions (TAD) Study is a NIMH-funded, multisite study (with Michelle Craske at UCLA) designed to examine which individuals with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress are more likely to benefit from two different versions of therapy. Each of these therapies include components and therapeutic strategies that have been demonstrated to be effective for these problem areas. One therapy focuses on enhancing and increasing positive coping and life strategies, whereas the other therapy focuses on decreasing or eradicating negative coping and life strategies. Both versions involve examining thoughts, modifying behaviors, and focusing on breathing.
If you are interested in participating, please complete a brief 15 minute online questionnaire at the secure link below to see if you are eligible to participate. All your answers will remain confidential. If you appear eligible, we will contact you for the next steps of the screening process.
THE DALLAS ASTHMA BRAIN AND COGNITION STUDY
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease, with an increasing prevalence, that is associated with a substantial burden on quality of life for patients and financial burden on society. The available research suggests that asthma may be associated with changes in brain structure and biochemistry, as well as increased risk for cognitive impairment and dementia. Older adults with asthma are a growing patient population that may be at increased risk for cognitive impairment and asthma-related mortality. This study, which is a collaboration between SMU, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and UT Dallas, uses neuropsychological testing and multiple types of brain imaging to examine the brain in middle- to older-aged people with asthma and a demographically similar group of people without asthma. The goal is to learn more about cognitive function in asthma and aging, and how it relates particular changes in brain structure, chemistry, and function.
Memory in Anhedonia (MIA) Study
Memory in Anhedonia Study is an experimental study aimed to understand how anhedonia is associated with memory performance. While memory impairments are common in depression, neuropsychological performance is highly heterogeneous and does not characterize all individuals. Therefore, we hope to better understand this association. The aims are to 1) compare individuals with anhedonia and healthy volunteers’ working and episodic memory performance for negative and positive images, 2) examine the association between anhedonia severity and episodic memory deficits, and 3) examine whether the association between working memory and episodic memory differs between the two groups.
Future Thinking, Autobiographical Memory, & Anhedonia
The Future Thinking study aims to better understand how we imagine future life events. Why do some individuals picture the future with more vividness and emotional experience than others, and how does our ability to remember past personally-experienced events relate to this future prospection? This study consists of two virtual study visits where individuals complete semi-structured interviews - during these interviews, participants are prompted to recall past stories and imagine future stories about their lives.