We are seeking volunteers recovered from depression

 << Click here to sign up via our pre-screening form >>

 What is the study about?

After recovering from depression, it is currently difficult to advise on the risk of future recurring episodes. The aim of this study is to find better ways to predict the risk of future depressive episodes for a particular person. We have previously found some psychological tests and brain scans that could be useful in predicting risk of recurrence. Here, our aim is to replicate and extend our previous work.

What would you have to do?

Participate in an initial clinical and neurocognitive assessment, including a virtual reality task followed by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) session. We would then invite you for two further follow-up sessions over the subsequent 14 months. Optionally, you could also use a device worn on your finger overnight which would track your sleep over time to see whether this could replace MRI in the future

What are the benefits for you?

There are no direct benefits for you. It is you who will benefit the progress of medical research. You can make an important contribution to a better understanding of depression and its treatment by participating in our research project. However, we can pay some compensation in shopping vouchers and we will give you access to the results of all tests performed, including an electronic copy of your MRI scan if you wish.

If you are interested in participating, then you can read full details about the study in our participant information sheet and sign-up via our pre-screening form.

You need to

• not be currently taking antidepressant medications
• be fluent in English
• able to travel to Denmark Hill Campus, King’s College London in about 2 hours
• have no history of bipolar or psychotic disorders
• have no history of neurological disorders
• not misusing substances or alcohol
• be 18 years or older

Self-Blame Virtual Reality Task

Watch interview with Dr Zahn about his research at Cambridge University:

Podcast where Dr Zahn explains his research on guilt and depression: https://soundcloud.com/bmjpodcasts/neuropsychiatry-of-social-knowledge-and-moral-motivation 

Press coverage of our previous research on predicting recurrence of depression on which this study builds: https://tinyurl.com/r9b93bb7