Max Gray CHAMP Research

The philosophy of the UCLA Child and Adolescent Mood Disorders Clinic is to enhance clinical care for children, teens, and young adults and their families by conducting state-of-the-art treatment studies.

Max Gray CHAMP is currently looking for families interested in family-focused treatment for mood disorders.

Please see the Research Projects below & contact the CHAMP Clinic (310-825-2836) if interested in one of our currently enrolling studies.

A KETOGENIC THERAPY STUDY FOR YOUTH WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER--NOW ENROLLING

This is a NEW pilot study of ketogenic diet therapy for youth ages 12 to 21 with bipolar spectrum disorders (BSDs) across four US sites of The Childhood Bipolar Network (CBN). The primary aims of this study are to learn whether combining a 16-week ketogenic diet (low carbohydrate, moderate protein, high fat) with standard of care psychiatric treatment is feasible, well-tolerated, and associated with youth improvement (such as in depression, executive functioning, metabolic variables, and inflammatory markers). Youth with BSD (up to 20/site) will participate in eligibility assessments and follow along research visits (with some in person and some via telehealth). Parental involvement is encouraged and required for minors. Youth will meet with their dietician online on a weekly basis, and they are provided fresh keto meals delivered to their residence (or compensation for keto groceries). Families also receive nutritional and bipolar education and motivational tips. No medication is provided or required as part of the study but a study psychiatrist will oversee their care at monthly visits; as appropriate, youth may be offered medication management or referrals. At-home fingerstick testing multiple times per week is required during the diet. Compensation is provided for completing fingerstick tests, research interviews, questionnaires, and bloodwork.

Project Contact: CHAMP Clinic (310-825-2836)

More information: Keto Study Press Release

CHILD BIPOLAR NETWORK--NOW ENROLLING

This is a naturalistic treatment and follow-up study of youth with bipolar spectrum disorders (BSDs) across four US sites of The Childhood Bipolar Network (CBN). CBN sites have expertise in diagnosing, assessing, and treating BSDs in youth. The primary aims of this study are to (1) identify and reliably diagnose youth (ages 9 to 21 yrs) with full bipolar disorder (BD) and BSDs, and (2) examine predictors (e.g., mood instability, inflammatory marker C-reactive protein) of clinical outcome over a 12 month period. Participating youth will initially complete a screening that includes a structured diagnostic interview and a baseline blood draw to measure inflammatory processes. Youth with BSD and parents (80 families) will be asked to participate in multiple follow up research visits with interviews, rating instruments, and questionnaires. Per established CBN guidelines, study psychiatrists will provide and track medication management and sites will also track psychosocial treatments. This study ultimately aims to further understanding of best practice pediatric BSD psychiatric and psychosocial treatments and development of a standardized and validated set of clinical tools for patient assessment, diagnosis, and tracking.

Project Contact: CHAMP Clinic (310-825-2836)

More information: Child Bipolar Network

UPLIFT FAMILY FOCUSED THERAPY--ENROLLMENT IS NOW CLOSED

UPLIFT is a family treatment program for teens and young adults (ages 13 – 25 years) who are struggling with problems with thinking, mood, and daily functioning – what we call psychosis risk syndromes. We are a network of seven university clinics doing research on effective treatments for young people with psychosis syndromes. ENROLLMENT IS NOW CLOSED. We are inviting you to learn about psychosis syndromes and determine whether you and your family want to take part in our treatment and research program. There are seven universities involved (see Contacts), University of California, Los Angeles(UCLA), University of California, San Diego (UCSD), University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), University of Calgary (Calgary, Canada), Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital (Boston, MA), Zucker-Hillside Hospital (New York), and Yale University (New Haven, CT).

Project Contact: CHAMP Clinic (310-825-2836)

More information: UPLIFT