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Depression Research Program

Project director: William Walker, M.D.

Depression can be a common concern after traumatic brain injury and can make recovery from injury more difficult. Understanding how to diagnose and treat depression for persons with TBI can be hard to do. Depression is a mixture of symptoms, including sadness, crying spells, feeling worthless or hopeless. Disturbed sleep, low energy, weight or appetite change are often symptoms too.

We plan to carry out two studies on adjustment after injury. Our first study aims to evaluate the usefulness of different tests of emotional functioning for people with TBI. Through this research, we plan to develop a process for better identifying depression. People with a TBI might be interested in being part of this study. People do not have to feel depressed to be in the study. On two occasions, participants will answer questions about how they are feeling, fill out a few questionnaires, and take a short test of memory and concentration. People will get paid up to $55 for participating in the study.

Our second depression study aims to compare the usefulness of two medications. These medications have had good results in treating depressed people without TBI. We also want to learn if one of the medications works better than the other, and if they help people with brain injury think better.

People who volunteer for this study will be asked about their depression symptoms. If the person has depression, they would be asked to take learning and memory tests and have a physical examination. Doctors would then give the person the study pills. These pills could be sertraline (an antidepressant), venlafaxine (an antidepressant), or a sugar pill. Over a 13-week period doctors will see participants eight times in the clinic to check physical health and medications and give some tests about depression.  Participants will receive up to $55 for their time and effort.