RESEARCH

Research is undertaken at the CADE Clinic so as to improve the quality of life for people with mood and anxiety disorders. Studies are conducted using five unique interdisciplinary approaches, with the ultimate goal of discovering new scientific methods to enhance clinical management for the benefit of our patients. The CADE Clinic utilises the latest state-of-the-art technologies and facilities in the areas of treatment, and clinical research initiatives as well as neuroimaging, electrophysiology and neuropsychology.

Volunteers needed

If you would like to participate as a subject in any research study please email the CADE Clinic directly and indicate which study you would like to participate in. Please read the study requirements carefully. You are welcome to respond simply to learn more about the project. A response from you does not imply any obligation to participate. You are free not to participate or to withdraw from any study at any time.

Psychological Treatment of Adolescents 

Psychological therapy has been recommended as the frontline treatment for adolescents with bipolar disorder. It is an important adjunctive treatment for many adults with bipolar disorder and is increasingly being applied in younger populations. Tailoring therapies which have already proved to be successful in treating adult populations is the next step in developing an effective treatment for adolescents. This process is currently happening at the CADE Clinic.

To be eligible for this study, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• Have bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder
• Aged between 15 and 20 years old

 
For more information about accessing this treatment for you, your child or someone you know, please call Catherine Cahill on 0401 611 578 or email jbp@cadeclinic.com.

There is no cost for this treatment (bulk-billed under Medicare).

Electrophysiology Studies

Electrophysiological research makes use of an EEG/ERP laboratory that is dedicated to the study of cognitive brain mechanisms. The electrophysiology laboratory has specialised equipment for behavioural and electrophysiological recording, high frame-rate eye movement apparatus as well as integrated heart rate, skin conductance and respiratory rate indices. The research goals of the laboratory revolve around the understanding of the neural mechanisms that underly perception, attention, and multisensory integration in the human brain. Current projects include:

Patterns of Neural Response in Bipolar Disorder

The current electrophysiology study involves comparing the neural patterns or "brainwaves" of people with and without bipolar disorder. Participants in the study will wear an electroencephalogram (EEG) cap which, via electrodes, is able to record electrical patterns from the brain. The process is non-invasive and works in a similar way to how a radio picks up station frequencies.

The CADE Clinic is seeking individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder to participate in the study which takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete. If you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and are interested in taking part or finding out more information please phone Racheal Degabriele on (02) 9926 5292 or email research@cadeclinic.com

Treatment Studies

N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) Study

NAC is an amino acid found naturally in protein-containing foods. NAC works as an antioxidant (a substance that prevents or slows the breakdown of other substances by oxygen). There are insufficient levels of antioxidants in individuals suffering from bipolar disorder or unipolar depression. The lack of antioxidants is thought to be the development of the disease and therefore the purpose of these trials is to research the benefits of adding NAC to the usual treatment in people who suffer from bipolar disorder or unipolar depression.

This study is funded by the Stanley Medical Research Institute and the CADE Clinic is the only Sydney-based site for this multi-centre trial.

To be eligible for these studies you need to meet the following criteria:
•    Aged over 18
•    DSM-IV diagnosis of major depressive disorder
•    Current symptoms of depression
•    Consent to the study and compliance with the study procedures
•    Stable therapy for at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the study 

*Please note that we have reached the required number of participants with bipolar disorder.  We currently require participation from individuals with depression. 

For further information call the Trial Coordinator on 9926 7785 or email nacstudy@cadeclinic.com

NAC News

July 2009. In a research study in America, NAC was found to be a promising treatment for a debilitating condition in which people feel compelled to pull their hair.  Read the full ABC news article 'Supplement could ease hair-pulling urge'.

Clinical Research

The CADE Clinic is a hospital-based University of Sydney Clinic with expertise in the diagnosis and management of mood and anxiety disorders. Embedded within clinical assessments that are conducted within the clinic are research studies examining a number of key aspects of these illnesses. Individuals attending the clinic complete clinical assessments and undergo structural interviews with a number of investigators. Currently researchers are examining aspects of phenomenology, and the diagnosis and treatment of depression and bipolar disorder. Projects examining specific populations or disorders are also being conducted and individuals attending the clinic, if suitable, may be approached for inclusion in future research studies.  

Neuroimaging

The neuroimaging laboratory at the CADE Clinic employs the latest multimodal imaging techniques, to test critical hypotheses about the workings of the brain. The laboratory currently has research projects using functional MRI, spectroscopy, diffusion tensor imaging and structural imaging. If you would like to volunteer to participate in any of the neuroimaging research projects, click here.

•    Sensorimotor gating in hypomanic bipolar disorder
•    An fMRI investigation of Theory of Mind in Bipolar Disorder
•    A study of face recognition in Bipolar II patients
•   White matter abnormalities in Bipolar Disorder: A DTI study
•   Testing the glutathione dysfunction hypothesis: High-field proton MRS

Neuropsychology

Neuropsychological testing involves examining cognitive abilities such as memory, attention and learning, as well as testing other more specific skills, such as problem solving and reaction time. In mood and anxiety disorders some of these skills can be compromised by episodes of illness and as yet the precise mechanisms by which this occurs are unclear.  New psychological research in the CADE Clinic is focused on investigating the exact nature of deficits that occur in mood and anxiety disorders, in particular measuring these accurately and correlating findings with neurobiological markers.

Current neuropsychology projects include:

•   Investigating the cognitive profile of mood disorders

•   Examining the neuropsychology of anxiety disorders

•   Defining the neuropsychological profile of adolescents with bipolar disorder

•   Investigating the neurocognitive effects of cannabis use in schizophrenia