Mechanisms of Inflammation and Neural Dysregulation in Depression (MIND) Study

Leadership

Dr. John Brooks, MD, PhD
Principal Investigator

1. About The MIND Study

The MIND Study is a research project examining how HIV and depression affect the brain and body. This study looks at how mood, thinking, and physical health are connected, with the goal of improving understanding and treatment of depression.

The MIND study aims to understand underlying changes in the brain and inflammation. We are enrolling people who do and do not have depression and do and do not have HIV. Our goal is to make comparisons so that we can better understand the relationship between depression, inflammation, and brain function in people living with HIV.

2. Study Groups

We are recruiting participants in the following groups:

GROUP 1: Healthy Controls (HIV negative, non-depressed)

GROUP 2: HIV negative, depressed

GROUP 3: HIV positive, non-depressed

GROUP 4: HIV positive, depressed

3. Eligibility

Group 1

• Age between 20 and 64 years
• Able to read and understand English
• Eligible for MRI scanning
• No history of major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder
• No use of antibiotics or immunosuppressants within the past month

Group 2

• Age between 20 and 64 years
• Able to read and understand English
• Eligible for MRI scanning
• Currently experiencing a major depressive episode
• Unmedicated or on stable antidepressant medication for ≥6 weeks
• No use of antibiotics or immunosuppressants within the past month

Group 3

• Age between 20 and 64 years
• HIV +
• Able to read and understand English
• Eligible for MRI scanning
• No history of major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder
• No prior HIV-related opportunistic infections
• No use of antibiotics or immunosuppressants within the past month

Group 4

• Age between 20 and 64 years
• HIV +
• Able to read and understand English
• Eligible for MRI scanning
• Currently experiencing a major depressive episode
• Unmedicated or on stable antidepressant medication for ≥6 weeks
• No prior HIV-related opportunistic infections
• No use of antibiotics or immunosuppressants within the past month

4. What’s Involved

• Screening phone call
• 2 in-person visits to UCLA
• You will receive a brain MRI scan
• You will complete mood assessments and questionnaires
• You will complete tests of memory and thinking
• You will provide a blood sample

5. Compensation

• Receive up to $200 for completing all study activities
• Parking reimbursed for parking at UCLA
• Rideshare costs to project site reimbursed up to $200

6. Contact Us

Contact the Study Coordinator

Email:  MoodStudy@mednet.ucla.edu

Phone:  (424) 518-3683

Protocol ID: IRB-24-1095 UCLA IRB Approved Approval Date: 5/15/2026 Committee: Medical IRB 3