This treatment study is for young people between the ages of 18 and 29, who are depressed, and live within the Greater Toronto Area.
You will be asked to take Cipralex®, an antidepressant also known as escitalopram, for 16 weeks.
You will attend 3 interview sessions over the course of study. You will be carefully monitored over the course of treatment.
You will be asked to donate 30 mL (2 tablespoons) of blood to look for genetic variants related to depression.
You may be contacted monthly by telephone and attend short appointments at CAMH over an 18-month period to further track symptoms and stress in your life.
You will be compensated up to $150, medication will be provided free of charge, and your TTC costs to and from CAMH when attending appointments will be reimbursed.
Voluntary:
- You will give informed consent: you will be made aware of the risks and benefits as well as alternative treatments.
- You can leave the study whenever you want.
- You can ask to throw out your test results.
- If you feel worse in your depression during any of the phases, you can be referred for additional treatment.
- You don't have to participate to receive antidepressants, as they can be prescribed by any doctor.
Confidential:
- Your data will have a randomly assigned number.
- Tests will be stored in a locked cabinet. Versions of the data will be stored in password protected computer files.
- Name and other info will be stored in a separate locked cabinet and password protected computer file.
- Info will be stored until research is finished, which may take many years.
- Clinical info obtained from your visits will be used for your medical record.
- Only investigators and their representatives have access to your records.
- Your records may be assessed by the Research Ethics Board as part of continuing review of the research.
- The research ethics team may contact you with questions about the research study and your consent.
- Confidentiality does not apply when you disclose intention to harm yourself or others, or if the record is subpoenaed by a court of law.
You'll be assessed, treated with a medication that has been shown to be very effective, and possibly monitored for up to two years with follow-up treatment as required. Your participation could also help others through your contribution to understanding who gets depressed and why.
A referral supports two important needs in mental health today: A focus on youth and a contribution to better prevention methods. Those who aren't accepted will be referred to other sources of help as needed.
Risks:
- Your doctor will let you know of common side effects associated with your antidepressant, such as nausea, ejaculation disorder, insomnia, diarrhea, sleepiness, dry mouth, dizziness, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and excessive sweating.
- Previous antidepressants you were on will be discontinued before starting treatment, which could potentially lead to anxiety, restlessness, headaches, sweating and/or temporarily worsened depression.
- You may experience negative feelings when asked to describe life events in your interview.
- You may feel some pain, bruising and have a slight risk of infection when a blood sample is drawn from your arm.
- You will be asked to keep from drinking alcohol excessively.
- You may be asked to use a birth control method for the duration of the study.
- Before taking any other medications, you must consult your doctor.
Benefits:
- Your depression may improve and you may lower the chance of future depression.
- Knowledge from this study may help others manage their depression.
- You can get feedback of your test results.
- You will be given $50 for each of the three interview sessions you participate in. Each session is about 5-7 hours long.
- You will be reimbursed for your TTC costs to and from CAMH (within Metro Toronto) for the purpose of attending scheduled appointments.
If you think this treatment study might be right for you, feel free to contact us by using the information on the right of this page.
