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Clinical Trials

Clinical and outcomes research under the direction of the Asher Center for the Study and Treatment of Depressive Disorders is conducted both at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Northwestern Medicine clinics.

For more information about the research or participation, please call us at 1-855-99-ASHER.

Feinberg Clinical Trials

Scientists at the medical school are conducting hundreds of clinical trials daily. More information about our work, including a Volunteer FAQ, is available via the Feinberg Office of Research Clinical Trials page.

Trials

Randomized Controlled Trial of a Mindfulness-based Intervention in a Federally Qualified Center (FQHC)

Northwestern University and Near North Health are currently recruiting participants for a research study to understand if mind and body approaches such as breathing techniques, mindfulness meditation, and gentle yoga work to improve stress. Up to $110 in compensation for full participation! Participants will either be assigned to receive an …
Northwestern University and Near North Health are currently recruiting participants for a research study to understand if mind and body approaches such as breathing techniques, mindfulness meditation, and gentle yoga work to improve stress. Up to $110 in compensation for full participation! Participants will either be assigned to receive an 8-week, 90 min per session group or to the wellness check-in group. For more info, please call 773-683-1275.

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 18-65 years old
  • at least mild depressive symptoms
  • English speaking
Burnett-Zeigler, Inger EBurnett-Zeigler, Inger E
NCT03620721 STU00207126
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Zhou, Elayne
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PK and Safety of Commonly Used Drugs in Lactating Women and Breastfed Infants

We are interested in studying drugs commonly prescribed to women who are breastfeeding so we can learn more about the amount of drug that is transferred to breastmilk and estimate how much of that drug is consumed by breastfed infants.…
We are interested in studying drugs commonly prescribed to women who are breastfeeding so we can learn more about the amount of drug that is transferred to breastmilk and estimate how much of that drug is consumed by breastfed infants.
Wisner, Katherine LeahWisner, Katherine Leah
  • Map it 676 N. St. Clair St
    Chicago, IL
STU00208328
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African-American Social Support Effectiveness Treatment-Partners alleviating Perinatal Depression (ASSET-PPD)

You are invited to participate in a research study at Northwestern University that provides skills and training to fathers who have a partner with prenatal depression. The research study aims to give guidance on how fathers can optimize their support of their partner during this difficult time. ALL SESSIONS WILL …
You are invited to participate in a research study at Northwestern University that provides skills and training to fathers who have a partner with prenatal depression. The research study aims to give guidance on how fathers can optimize their support of their partner during this difficult time. ALL SESSIONS WILL BE VIRTUAL. 

-Pregnant African-American mother and male partner

-Available to begin study in 2nd trimester

-Mother in treatment for depression with current symptoms

-Parents are 18 y/o or older

Fisher, Sheehan DavidFisher, Sheehan David
STU00212595
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Cholesterol and Metabolism of CYP3A4/5 Across Pregnancy

The purpose of this research is to understand changes in how the body works during pregnancy, specifically how the body processes medications during pregnancy. We know that over 90% of people take at least one drug during pregnancy. Because of the changes in a pregnant person’s body, processes such …

The purpose of this research is to understand changes in how the body works during pregnancy, specifically how the body processes medications during pregnancy.

We know that over 90% of people take at least one drug during pregnancy. Because of the changes in a pregnant person’s body, processes such as the rate of drug metabolism can change over the course of the three trimesters.

Drug metabolism is controlled by specific enzymes in the body. In this study, we will be examining the upregulation, or “speeding up” of one of these enzymes in the liver called CYP3A4, which helps the body process many different drugs. Obtaining cholesterol concentrations is a way to measure this CYP3A4 activity. We hope that this research will teach us how to more precisely adjust medication dosages when individuals become pregnant.

The results of this study are expected to have a positive impact, as they will lay a foundation for the design of individualized drug therapy during pregnancy and minimize the risk of over- and under-dosing for pregnant individuals.

Participants have the option to enroll in the study for a single blood draw, or to continue their participation and provide additional blood samples during pregnancy or postpartum.

Wisner, Katherine LeahWisner, Katherine Leah
STU00217170
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Endeavor to Stop Nausea/Vomiting Associated with Pregnancy (E-SNAP R21)

Up to 80% of pregnant persons experience nausea and vomiting of pregnancy that reduces quality of life. Although nausea and vomiting often resolve by the second trimester of pregnancy, symptoms persist into the third trimester in 15-20% of pregnant persons. Up to 3% of pregnant persons develop hyperemesis gravidarum, …

Up to 80% of pregnant persons experience nausea and vomiting of pregnancy that reduces quality of life. Although nausea and vomiting often resolve by the second trimester of pregnancy, symptoms persist into the third trimester in 15-20% of pregnant persons. Up to 3% of pregnant persons develop hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, that is the most common reason for hospitalization in early pregnancy.

A drug that is currently available and FDA approved for the treatment of depression, mirtazapine (Remeron®) also has strong antinauseant effects. It has several drug effects that block the sequence of biological events that trigger nausea and lead to vomiting.

You will be given mirtazapine and asked to come for 3 study visits during the initial 3-week treatment period. If you continue taking the drug after 3 weeks, you will have study visits every four weeks until you stop taking the drug or until you deliver your baby.

  • Ages 18-49 years
  • Singleton pregnancy
  • Care within Prentice Women’s Hospital maternity practices
  • English speaking
  • Obstetrician’s evaluation and diagnosis of sNVP or HG
  • Inadequate response to two commonly used antiemetics
Wisner, Katherine LeahWisner, Katherine Leah
NCT05452174 STU00215676
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