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Patient Research Opportunities

Healthyhorns is proud to be part of one of the world’s largest research institutions where discovery — expanding knowledge and human understanding — is a core value.

Paid Research Study on Bipolar Disorder and Alcohol: Young Adults Needed

Sciences is studying how brain biology is related to possible risk for developing bipolar disorder. This is an NIH funded study conducted by UT Dell Medical School Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences that uses alcohol administration and MRI to investigate response to alcohol and brain development in young adults with bipolar disorder.

Qualified participants must be:

  • 21 to 26 years old
  • diagnosed with bipolar disorder
  • able to drink alcohol during study visits
  • able to complete 3 study visits involving diagnostic interviews, mental function (cognitive and behavioral) tests, a MRI scan
  • able to return one and two years later and repeat study components.

Qualified participants receive:

  • You will be compensated for all study components completed, which can be up to $1,021 for full participation.

Contact:

If you would like to participate or if you have any questions email us at behavioral.neuroimaging@austin.utexas.edu. You may complete this interest form and research staff will contact you.

CO2 Reactivity as a Biomarker of Non-Response to Exposure-Based Therapy

Description (purpose of the study):
This study is designed to evaluate the predictive power of a novel biomarker based on a CO2 challenge, thus addressing the central question "can this easy-to-administer assay aid clinicians in deciding whether or not to initiate exposure-based therapy?" The investigation addresses an important public health issue by testing an accessible clinical assessment strategy--informed by basic research--that may lead to a more effective treatment selection (personalized medicine) for patients with anxiety- and fear-related disorders and enhance our understanding of the mechanisms governing exposure-based therapy.

Eligibility criteria for Qualified participants:

  • A primary diagnosis of panic disorder (with or without an agoraphobia diagnosis), social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder
  • 18 to 70 years old
  • Willingness and ability to provide informed consent and comply with the requirements of the study protocol

Other criteria will need to be met to confirm your eligibility to participate in this study, which will last up to 12 weeks.

Qualified participants receive:

12 one-hour sessions of exposure based therapy, delivered over the course of 12 weeks. All therapy sessions will be delivered by trained and experienced license-eligible clinicians. You will also be compensated for all study components completed, which can be up to $300 for full participation.

For More Information

Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Researchers in the UT College of Education are actively seeking adults with Type 1 Diabetes and healthy volunteers to participate in a research study designed to better understand cardiovascular disease risk in patients with Type 1 Diabetes. Monetary compensation will be provided.

Eligibility
Type 1 Diabetes and non-smoker
OR
A healthy adult, 18 to 70 years old

Study Procedure
Study participants’ heart rate, blood pressure, nerve activity and blood flow will be assessed, and blood samples will be collected.

For More Information
Call or text us on (512) 815-3097
Email us at CardivascularLab@utexas.edu
Complete eligibility survey

A Phase III study to investigate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of two initial administrations of COMP360 [psilocybin] in participants with treatment-resistant depression

Description (purpose of the study):
The COMP 006 study is trying to find out whether a specific dose of COMP360 psilocybin, given with psychological support, can improve depressive symptoms for those who have treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The study will compare the efficacy, safety and tolerability of three different doses of the investigational medicine alongside psychological support. All participants will receive one of three doses of COMP360 during the study. Some participants may be offered additional treatment sessions, depending on the results of their previous session. Everyone in the study will have to stop taking any medicines that are prohibited by the study rules, including antidepressants.

Eligibility criteria for Qualified participants:

  • Are 18 years of age or older –
  • Have been diagnosed with major depression (single or recurrent episodes); if a single episode, it should be a duration between 3 months and 2 years –
  • Are experiencing treatment-resistant depression, defined as failing 2, 3, or 4 pharmacological treatments for their current episode of depression

Qualified participants receive:

  • At least one, but potentially three doses of COMP360 psilocybin
    • No one can be guaranteed that the COMP360 drug will change their depression symptoms, because examining the possible benefit is the purpose of the study
  • Psychiatric and physical examinations, including diagnostic assessments and bloodwork
  • Supportive psychotherapy focused entirely on the COMP360 drug itself

For More Information

Antidepressant Study: Re-EMBARC (Establishing Multi-Modal Brain Biomarkers Using Data-driven Analytics for Treatment Selection in Depression)

The purpose of the study is to identify brain biomarkers and characteristics that predict individual responses to treatment of major depression with the antidepressant drug sertraline (Zoloft), a common selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant. The researchers at the Fonzo Lab in the Psychiatry Dept. at Dell Med will measure brain function during completion of certain behavioral tasks inside an fMRI scanner and using a device called an electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure electrical activity in the brain with scalp electrodes.

Eligibility criteria for Qualified participants:

  • Are diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, have experienced major depression, and/or are currently having symptoms of depression (diagnosis not required)
  • Are 18-65 years old and fluent in English
  • Are willing to undergo MRI and EEG procedures to measure brain function
  • Are willing to take an FDA-approved, once-daily medication for treating depression
  • Can visit the laboratory several times over the course of an 8-10 week period, approximately 11 times in an in-person/virtual hybrid fashion

Qualified participants receive:

  • Free psychiatric consultation and monitoring, free Sertraline (Zoloft) prescription, and compensation of up to $550

For More Information

COMP006 – Investigational Treatment Study to Learn About How Psilocybin Alongside Psychological Support Works as an Investigational Treatment Approach for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Study participants will receive investigational treatment approach for treatment-resistance depression. Study participants will receive investigational treatment and follow-up care at no cost. Travel and study-related costs may be reimbursed. For this study we are recruiting individuals who:

  • Are 18 years of age and older, and have been diagnosed with major depression
  • Have failed 2-4 antidepressant treatments in their current depressive episode

For More Information

Complete this form or email us at fonzolab@austin.utexas.edu.

RELMADA – 2-Arm, Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of REL-1017 at 25 mg QD for MDD in Subjects with Inadequate Response to Antidepressant Treatment

For this study we are recruiting individuals who:

  • Are between 18-65 years of age, with a BMI between 18 and 35 kg/m2 inclusive
  • Currently meet DSM-5 criteria for Major Depressive Disorder without psychotic features
  • Have an inadequate response to 1 to 3 valid courses of treatment in the current depressive episode, and have been treated and stabilized at the same dose for at least 6 weeks prior to screening

For More Information

Complete this form or email us at fonzolab@austin.utexas.edu.

RECOVER – Prospective Multicenter Trial Composed of Two Parts – Rct and Follow-up (Rct) – Randomized, Controlled, Blinded Trial to Determine if Active Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy Compared to a No-Stimulation Control Group Improves Depressive Symptoms

For this study we are recruiting individuals who:

  • Are 18 years of age or older
  • Have a current MDD diagnosis and have had at least four antidepressant treatment failures

For More Information

Complete this form or email us at fonzolab@austin.utexas.edu.

CO2 Reactivity as a Biomarker of Non-Response to Exposure-Based Therapy

Description (purpose of the study):
This study is designed to evaluate the predictive power of a novel biomarker based on a CO2 challenge, thus addressing the central question "can this easy-to-administer assay aid clinicians in deciding whether or not to initiate exposure-based therapy?" The investigation addresses an important public health issue by testing an accessible clinical assessment strategy--informed by basic research--that may lead to a more effective treatment selection (personalized medicine) for patients with anxiety- and fear-related disorders and enhance our understanding of the mechanisms governing exposure-based therapy.

Eligibility criteria for Qualified participants:

  • A primary diagnosis of panic disorder (with or without an agoraphobia diagnosis), social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder
  • 18 to 70 years old
  • Willingness and ability to provide informed consent and comply with the requirements of the study protocol

Other criteria will need to be met to confirm your eligibility to participate in this study, which will last up to 12 weeks.

Qualified participants receive:

12 one-hour sessions of exposure based therapy, delivered over the course of 12 weeks. All therapy sessions will be delivered by trained and experienced license-eligible clinicians. You will also be compensated for all study components completed, which can be up to $300 for full participation.

For More Information

CO2 Reactivity as a Biomarker of Non-Response to Exposure-Based Therapy

Description (purpose of the study):
This study is designed to evaluate the predictive power of a novel biomarker based on a CO2 challenge, thus addressing the central question "can this easy-to-administer assay aid clinicians in deciding whether or not to initiate exposure-based therapy?" The investigation addresses an important public health issue by testing an accessible clinical assessment strategy--informed by basic research--that may lead to a more effective treatment selection (personalized medicine) for patients with anxiety- and fear-related disorders and enhance our understanding of the mechanisms governing exposure-based therapy.

Eligibility criteria for Qualified participants:

  • A primary diagnosis of panic disorder (with or without an agoraphobia diagnosis), social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder
  • 18 to 70 years old
  • Willingness and ability to provide informed consent and comply with the requirements of the study protocol

Other criteria will need to be met to confirm your eligibility to participate in this study, which will last up to 12 weeks.

Qualified participants receive:

12 one-hour sessions of exposure based therapy, delivered over the course of 12 weeks. All therapy sessions will be delivered by trained and experienced license-eligible clinicians. You will also be compensated for all study components completed, which can be up to $300 for full participation.

For More Information

CO2 Reactivity as a Biomarker of Non-Response to Exposure-Based Therapy

Description (purpose of the study):
This study is designed to evaluate the predictive power of a novel biomarker based on a CO2 challenge, thus addressing the central question "can this easy-to-administer assay aid clinicians in deciding whether or not to initiate exposure-based therapy?" The investigation addresses an important public health issue by testing an accessible clinical assessment strategy--informed by basic research--that may lead to a more effective treatment selection (personalized medicine) for patients with anxiety- and fear-related disorders and enhance our understanding of the mechanisms governing exposure-based therapy.

Eligibility criteria for Qualified participants:

  • A primary diagnosis of panic disorder (with or without an agoraphobia diagnosis), social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder
  • 18 to 70 years old
  • Willingness and ability to provide informed consent and comply with the requirements of the study protocol

Other criteria will need to be met to confirm your eligibility to participate in this study, which will last up to 12 weeks.

Qualified participants receive:

12 one-hour sessions of exposure based therapy, delivered over the course of 12 weeks. All therapy sessions will be delivered by trained and experienced license-eligible clinicians. You will also be compensated for all study components completed, which can be up to $300 for full participation.

For More Information

Psychotherapy effects on reward processing in posttraumatic stress disorder (PERPP)

Description (purpose of the study):
Difficulty experiencing positive emotions is a key but poorly understood symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The purpose of this study is to identify how trauma-focused psychotherapy (in the form of Cognitive Processing Therapy) changes the function of brain circuitry in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and how this mediates improvements in the diminished ability to experience positive emotions following a traumatic or extremely stressful life event.

Eligibility criteria for Qualified participants:

  • Have experienced one or more traumatic or extremely stressful life events and have a PTSD diagnosis or suspect they may be suffering from PTSD.
  • 18-65 years old and English-speaking
  • NOT taking daily/regular antidepressant medication and NOT in regular PTSD-specific psychotherapy
  • Willing and able to undergo brain scans with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) on two different occasions
  • can attend in-person 50min therapy sessions twice a week over the course of 6-8 weeks, and complete out-of-session written therapy assignments

Qualified participants receive:

  • Free high-quality, evidence-based psychotherapy (cognitive processing therapy) for PTSD by an experienced licensed clinical psychologist, as well as treatment-associated written materials
  • 12 hour-long in-person therapy sessions over the course of 6-8 weeks
  • Reimbursement for parking
  • Up to $800 compensation for participating in study assessment procedures
  • Free pictures of their brain (from the MRI scans)

For More Information

BREXANLONE – An Open Label Pilot Study of IV Brexanlone for the Treatment of PTSD

For this study we are recruiting individuals who:

  • Are females between the ages of 18-50 inclusive
  • Have a current, non-military PTSD diagnosis

For More Information

Complete this form or email us at fonzolab@austin.utexas.edu.

CO2 Reactivity as a Biomarker of Non-Response to Exposure-Based Therapy

Description (purpose of the study):
This study is designed to evaluate the predictive power of a novel biomarker based on a CO2 challenge, thus addressing the central question "can this easy-to-administer assay aid clinicians in deciding whether or not to initiate exposure-based therapy?" The investigation addresses an important public health issue by testing an accessible clinical assessment strategy--informed by basic research--that may lead to a more effective treatment selection (personalized medicine) for patients with anxiety- and fear-related disorders and enhance our understanding of the mechanisms governing exposure-based therapy.

Eligibility criteria for Qualified participants:

  • A primary diagnosis of panic disorder (with or without an agoraphobia diagnosis), social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder
  • 18 to 70 years old
  • Willingness and ability to provide informed consent and comply with the requirements of the study protocol

Other criteria will need to be met to confirm your eligibility to participate in this study, which will last up to 12 weeks.

Qualified participants receive:

12 one-hour sessions of exposure based therapy, delivered over the course of 12 weeks. All therapy sessions will be delivered by trained and experienced license-eligible clinicians. You will also be compensated for all study components completed, which can be up to $300 for full participation.

For More Information

Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Researchers in the UT College of Education are actively seeking adults with Type 1 Diabetes and healthy volunteers to participate in a research study designed to better understand cardiovascular disease risk in patients with Type 1 Diabetes. Monetary compensation will be provided.

Eligibility
Type 1 Diabetes and non-smoker
OR
A healthy adult, 18 to 70 years old

Study Procedure
Study participants’ heart rate, blood pressure, nerve activity and blood flow will be assessed, and blood samples will be collected.

For More Information
Call or text us on (512) 815-3097
Email us at CardivascularLab@utexas.edu
Complete eligibility survey