what is the study about?
Our team uses neuroscience tools to find out what exactly happens in the brain during effective treatment for anxiety and depression, and how we can enhance such mechanisms. We have for instance shown that severe anxiety in adults can be treated with only one session of cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT), especially if combined with one dose of d-cycloserine, an antibiotic known to improve learning.
The majority of anxiety diagnoses start before the age of 18. One in five students in a year-12 classrooms are likely to have an anxiety disorder, but only a small proportion of these will have access to treatment, and only 1 in 3 of those treated will get better! Our work aims to improve treatments for young people with anxiety. In a first step, we investigate in this study whether a safe, licensed blood pressure drug can improve learning in teenagers. Seeing such an effect would suggest that if combined with CBT, the medication may improve clinical response.
We are looking for healthy participants aged 16-20 years to come to Oxford twice (1/2 hr, 4 hrs), to give a small blood sample, take one tablet of the medication (or a placebo), and work on computer games. We pay for time and travel expenses. The study will run over the next year, weekend and evening appointments are available. Parental approval will be required for under 18-year olds.
The majority of anxiety diagnoses start before the age of 18. One in five students in a year-12 classrooms are likely to have an anxiety disorder, but only a small proportion of these will have access to treatment, and only 1 in 3 of those treated will get better! Our work aims to improve treatments for young people with anxiety. In a first step, we investigate in this study whether a safe, licensed blood pressure drug can improve learning in teenagers. Seeing such an effect would suggest that if combined with CBT, the medication may improve clinical response.
We are looking for healthy participants aged 16-20 years to come to Oxford twice (1/2 hr, 4 hrs), to give a small blood sample, take one tablet of the medication (or a placebo), and work on computer games. We pay for time and travel expenses. The study will run over the next year, weekend and evening appointments are available. Parental approval will be required for under 18-year olds.
exclusion and inclusion criteria
We are looking for healthy participants aged 16-20. You may not be able to take part if you:
* are pregnant or breast-feeding
* have been on certain medication that influences the central nervous system (e.g. antidepressants) during the last 6 weeks
* have ever had a severe psychiatric disease or neurological disorder
* have a close family member with a history of a severe psychiatric disease
* participated in another study involving certain medication during the last 6 weeks.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are unsure whether you are eligible.
* are pregnant or breast-feeding
* have been on certain medication that influences the central nervous system (e.g. antidepressants) during the last 6 weeks
* have ever had a severe psychiatric disease or neurological disorder
* have a close family member with a history of a severe psychiatric disease
* participated in another study involving certain medication during the last 6 weeks.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are unsure whether you are eligible.
detailed study information
Participant Information Sheet for 16 and 17 year old participants
| information_sheet_age16_and_17.pdf |
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET FOR PARTICIPANTS AGED 18 and over
| information_sheet_age18_.pdf |
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET FOR PARENTS of underage participants
| information_sheet_parent.pdf |
The first step - brief eligibility screening
If you are interested in taking part, please complete an initial online screening, which can be accessed through the link below. This will assess your general study eligibility and will only take 2 minutes. If you would rather talk to us via email or on the phone, please use the contact details given below.
https://psychiatryoxford.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5ihKcF7x4k1d3Xo
https://psychiatryoxford.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5ihKcF7x4k1d3Xo
contact
Please get in touch if you would like to take part in this study, and do not hesitate to also let us know if you have any questions or worries about your participation.
Georgia Feltham
OXITED Research Assistant
Email: [email protected]
Georgia Feltham
OXITED Research Assistant
Email: [email protected]
