
Effects of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy on Brain Mechanisms in Depression
DepressionThe purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on brain mechanisms associated with interoceptive awareness and rumination in individuals suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD).

Predictors of Antidepressant Response
DepressionMajor depression is a highly prevalent, frequently debilitating illness that too often fails to respond to currently available treatments such as antidepressant medication. Furthermore, randomized controlled trials of antidepressants consistently demonstrate large placebo effects. The investigators hypothesize that individual differences in the function of key brain circuits underlie the observed variability in clinical responses to both placebo and antidepressant medication. This study will test this hypothesis by recruiting treatment-seeking volunteers with major depression, with or without comorbid nicotine dependence. Volunteers will participate in positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans in the context of a treatment trial in which they will receive both placebo and antidepressant medication. A major goal of the study is to improve prediction of individual clinical responses in future treatment trials in which brain imaging may be unavailable, and to study the mechanisms of antidepressant response in Major Depression.

Impact of the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program on Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial FibrillationStress4 moreThe purpose of this study is to determine if an eight week multimodal Relaxation Response Resiliency Program (3RP) intervention can effectively improve symptom severity, frequency and quality of life (Q.O.L) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. This will be measured by a reduction in AF symptom score, perceived stress, anxiety, hostility and depression.

Life Satisfaction and Psychopathology in Institutionalized Elderly People
Anxiety Depression (Mild or Not Persistent)The present study attempted to test the benefits of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program in Portuguese institutionalized elderly people, as a way to improve life satisfaction and reduce psychopathology. The sample included 12 institutionalized elderly people, with ages between 65 and 91 (M = 82.58 years; SD = 7.87), that filled several selfreport questionnaires and were assessed with Mini Mental State Examination. Participants attended to an adapted Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program (KabatZinn,1994), with 48 sessions (16 weeks) and Participants were evaluated before and after the intervention.

SMTr-METAB : FDG-PET Assessment of Cerebral Metabolism in Resistant Depression Treated With rTMS...
DepressionBiological markers of depressive states have been studied, but their usefulness to predict the therapeutic response is unknown. This issue is major in all depressive states which have not remitted after several lines of treatment. rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) is a non-pharmacological alternative in the treatment of depression, but its effects on cerebral functioning are not known in episodes which have resist to conventional treatments. The investigators will include 50 depressive patients who have failed to respond to two successive antidepressant medication, and propose them a treatment with low frequency rTMS during 3 to 6 weeks. Cerebral functional imaging with 18FDG-PET (positon emission tomography) with be assessed at the beginning and at the end of rTMS acute treatment, in order to measure induced metabolic changes and their correlation with clinical states. Patients who have responded to rTMS acute treatment may continue this therapeutic for six months, and the investigators will assess if efficacy maintenance is related with cerebral metabolic variations

Parallel Group, Multiple Dose Pharmacokinetics Study of Five Antipsychotic Medications in Psychiatric...
Psychotic DisordersSchizophrenia2 moreThe purpose of this study is to gather information about the steady-state plasma concentrations of aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine and their relevant metabolites, at various dose levels and at different time points after dosing. In addition, comparison of capillary drug concentrations vs. venous drug concentrations will be performed for aripiprazole, olanzapine, paliperidone, quetiapine, risperidone and their relevant metabolites.

Behavioral Activation Therapy for Rural Veterans With Diabetes and Depression
Diabetes MellitusDepressionThis clinical trial will compare the effectiveness of the Healthy Outcomes through Patient Empowerment (HOPE) intervention to enhanced usual care (EUC) for diabetes and depression at 6 and 12 month follow-up. The proposed study is a randomized controlled trial enrolling 242 largely rural Veterans with uncontrolled diabetes and clinically-significant depressive symptoms. Both groups will receive screening, education, and notification of clinical findings along with follow-up in usual primary care. HOPE participants will also receive behavioral coaching telephone sessions over a six month period. Patients in the control group will be screened, and providers will be notified of high risk patients' status and need for intervention. Both groups will receive only usual primary care during the subsequent 6 month maintenance period. Study measurements using self-report questionnaires will also be collected at baseline, 6 and 12 months follow-up. The investigators will also conduct chart reviews to evaluate usual care blood tests for diabetes control. Changes in measurements from baseline will be compared between groups. This intervention will reach Veterans in rural setting where community-based primary care is needed, especially care that blends treatment strategies for physical and emotional health.

Anxiety and Depression in Patients Hospitalizes for an Acute Exacerbation of COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseAnxiety1 moreThis study will try to elucidate wheter the impact of a psychiatric intervention in patients hospitalized because an acute exacerbation of COPD and anxiety/depression and reconsulting at 1 and 6 month after discharge.

Depression and Congestive Heart Failure in Outpatients.
Heart FailureDepressionPatients with a diagnosis of CHF, NYHA class II, III or IV will be recruited for a study comparing a nursing intervention addressing CHF (SIM group) or CHF and depression (CIM group). Participants in the standard illness management program will receive an 8-week, 8-session intervention designed to help them improve daily weighing, salt-restriction, medication management, etc. This intervention will be conducted in a combination of home visits and phone visits. They will also receive interactive, telephone-based daily monitoring that assesses daily weight, dyspnea, fatigue and medication compliance. Patients in the comorbid illness management program will receive the same illness management program PLUS education and behavioral techniques designed to help them cope emotionally with the illness. The comorbid illness management home monitoring will include a twice-monthly screen for depression. Major Variables: The major outcomes will be depressive symptoms, health-related quality of life, functional status, heart failure symptom severity, and self-care behaviors in heart failure.

Moderate Physical Activity in Helping Patients Recover Physically and Emotionally From Stage II...
Anxiety DisorderColorectal Cancer2 moreRATIONALE: Physical activity may prevent or lessen depression and anxiety and improve quality of life and immune function in patients with colorectal cancer. PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is studying how well physical activity helps patients with stage II or stage III colorectal cancer recover from cancer.