The University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Psychiatry is
participating in what is being called the largest, nationwide and most
intense study to find the best treatment for depression in teenagers. The
department is seeking 50 adolescents, age 12 to 17 years old who have symptoms
of depression, to participate in a study to improve the care of depressed
teens.
Eligible study participants will receive free treatment and medication
for those who qualify for the study. An initial evaluation will be done
to determine if the teenager has depression.
UNMC is one of 10 sites in the country conducting the two-year study
funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. UNMC received a $530,000
grant to conduct the study. About 400 teenagers nationwide will participate.
Researchers will determine which treatment is better: medication alone
(Prozac), placebo (pill without medication), talk therapy, or a combination
of talk therapy and medication. Researchers want to know which treatments
are effective and which have the longest-lasting effects.
Major depression is a serious illness that affects about one in 20
teens and affects more girls than boys, said Chris Kratochvil, M.D., assistant
professor, UNMC Department of Psychiatry and principal investigator of
the UNMC study. Depression is caused by neuro-biological changes in the
brain, with genetics and environment both playing a role. Unfortunately,
teenagers who are depressed often go untreated unless a crisis occurs.
Dr. Kratochvil said the study is important because the effectiveness
of treatments for depression has not been adequately documented. In addition,
children and adolescents are not miniature adults and may metabolize
and respond differently to medications than do adults.
Historically, studies were not done in children, Dr. Kratochvil said.
We thought we were protecting them, but we have not done them a service
by keeping them out of studies.
As a result, he said 80 percent of the medications used in children
and adolescents are not approved by the Federal Drug Administration. Therefore,
there are no well-informed guidelines for treatment.
There are also public health implications, Dr. Kratochvil said. HMOs
are often more willing to pay for medications than psychotherapy, and we
need evidence to support that what we recommend is effective.
The study, which is coordinated by Duke University Medical Center and
Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, N.C., also will be conducted
at: Johns Hopkins Medical Center, Baltimore, M.D.; University of Chicago,
New York University Medical Center, New York City; New York State Psychiatric
Institute, New York City; Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, N.C.; University
of Texas Southwest Medical Center, Dallas; University of Pennsylvania Medical
Center/Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia; University of Oregon, Psychology
Clinic, Eugene; and Wayne State University, Detroit.
To participate in the study or for more information, call (402) 559-5056.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.
Through its commitment to research, education, outreach and patient care,
UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for
cancer research and treatment, solid organ transplantation and arthritis.
During the past year, nearly $31 million in research grants and contracts
were awarded to UNMC scientists, and UNMCs funding from the National Institutes
of Health increased by 28 percent, going from $16.2 million to $20.7 million.
UNMCs educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals
practicing in Nebraska than any other institution.