I am a research 'lab rat' in some studies directed by Dr. Ian Gotlib, Ph.D. in the Stanford University Mood and Anxiety Disorders Lab.
They are doing some AMAZING WORK with regards to learning more about the psychological and biological factors that place individuals at increased risk for depression, as well as the processes that are involved in recovery from this disorder.
A major goal of his research is 'to develop a more comprehensive and integrative psychobiological model of the etiology and maintenance of depression.'
Dr. Gotlib has conducted research examining cognitive, interpersonal, and biological functioning in depressed individuals, as well as predictors of depression in people at elevated risk for developing this disorder.
Currently, Dr. Gotlib is conducting projects that examine cognitive information-processing biases in depressed children, adolescents, and adults, and patterns of brain activation of depressed and vulnerable individuals as they process various types of emotional stimuli.
In addition, he is directing a longitudinal project that examines the emotional, cognitive, and biological functioning of young daughters of depressed mothers.
Anyway....if I haven't lost you yet......I have visited Stanford numerous times now. I have filled out paper questionnaires....answered verbal questionnaires....given blood.....given saliva samples.....played interesting 'computer games', undergone fMRI brain scans at the medical school, and most recently I kept a palm pilot for a week and 1/2, and it reminded me naggingly to answer a questionnaire 8 times a day.....all regarding my feelings and emotional state at the time.
Today, during the visit, in addition to more questionnaires, computer games, giving saliva and blood samples.........I had to give a public speech in front of an audience, and subtract random large numbers from other random large numbers BACKWARDS...also in front of an audience...this particular test I later found out was called The Trier Social Stress Test (all tests were designed to actually induce stress upon the subjects, and blood and saliva were taken before/during/after the tests to determine the amount of CORTISOL and INFLAMMATION in the body). Here is an explanation of the Trier Social Stress Test, which was designed by Germans, and has been in use now for about a decade: http://www.jasnh.com/c2.htm
When the body is under stress, the adrenal glands increase secretion of cortisol, a hormone. In the short-term, this hormone can aid in survival....by mobilizing energy reserves, for instance. Longer-term, cortisol , however, can have detrimental effects.
Typically, the level of cortisol in normal individuals peaks in the morning, then decreases as the day progresses. In depressed individuals, however, cortisol peaks earlier in the morning, and DOESN'T level off, or decrease in the afternoon or evening. Although the exact mechanism for this is not yet understood, it is thought that chronically elevated levels of cortisol may actually INDUCE clinical depression by somehow affecting serotonergic neurotransmission (having less serotonin, dopamine, etc. floating around in your brain....thus many people with depression take SSRIs or SNRIs .....Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors...antidepressants that diminish the 'reuptake' of neurotransmitters, so that there is more 'floating around' in the extracellular areas of the brain (synaptic clefts).....making the person more 'happy'. That's a REALLY basic and simple explanation.
The Psychologist conducting the study today said that they are having a lot of success with this particular study, and have extended it to continue throughout the summer. So...it will probably be a while before the work is published, but I am looking forward to reading all about it once it is finally published. She said that the data coming from this particular study is really encouraging, because it is now known that MOST if not ALL people have or will experience at least one episode of depression in their lifetime. This research and data collection is really necessary and essential in finding out more about the complex nature of depression, not only to help people that are suffering, but to also lessen the social stigma for those that struggle.
Anyway, my experience in being a research participant has been really cool, and inspiring to meet so many caring and intelligent, compassionate people that want to help eliminate the suffering of others. Their work is really fascinating, and it is truly inspiring to be around such intelligent and compassionate people that are helping to alleviate the suffering of others.
Information on Dr. Ian Gotlib: http://www.pbs.org/thisemotionallife/people/expert/ian-gotlib-phd/bio
Weblink for the Stanford Mood & Anxiety Disorders Lab: http://mood.stanford.edu/
To be continued!
