Max Gray Child and Adolescent Mood Disorders Program

• Psychological Assessment (includes assessments for ALL major Axis I diagnosis)
• Medication Consultation
• Short-term family therapy
• Short-term medication management
• Referrals for specialized procedures and/or ongoing care

Funded by Laurie Gordon and the Max Gray Fund for Treatment of Mood Disorders, the Max Gray Fellowship is a specialized program made up of post-doctoral psychologists and psychiatrists specializing pediatric mood disorders. Generally, the fellows offer diagnostic evaluations, second opinion consultations, and short-term pharmacological and psychosocial treatments for youth with significant and impairing mood disorders.

For more information, visit: https://www.semel.ucla.edu/maxg

We will see children from age 7 years to 17 years, 11 months in our billing clinic. We also assess and treat youth up through age 21 in our research program.

Refer patients to the Max Gray CHAMP central number: (310) 825-2836.

For more Max Gray CHAMP information, please visit our website https://www.uclahealth.org/max-gray-child-and-adolescent-mood-disorders-champ-program

Semel Institute/NPI
760 Westwood Plaza A-Floor, South Corridor
Los Angeles, CA 90024
United States
Phone: (310) 825-2836

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

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

This is a new study for teens (ages 13-17) with at least a few depressive symptoms who use any level of social media. This research study aims to examine how social media affects teenage mood disorders, examining both strengths and potential downfalls. Parents and teens will both participate in a mix of online interviews and surveys. The study lasts 3 months. No treatment is offered, but parents and teens will be compensated for their time, and responses are private and confidential.Project Contact: Dr. Lauren Eales (310-845-6143)

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)

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: Anabel Salimian at (310) 906-0917

More information: Child Bipolar Network

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. 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: 310-206-3466

More information: UPLIFT

Project Description
The aim of Cognitive Therapy Skills Groups is to help teens better cope with mood, stress, and life difficulties. The therapy includes mindful strategies, cognitive-behavioral techniques, psychoeducation, and peer support. Teens helped to develop the course and classes are conducted in a confidential group therapy setting at UCLA. Parents meet in a separate space to learn how to best support their teens in building and practicing their new skills.

Project Contact
Danielle Denenny, Ph.D., ddenenny@mednet.ucla.edu
Primary Investigator: David Miklowitz, Ph.D.

Project Procedures

1. 9 weeks
2. Diagnostic assessment
3. Up to two post-treatment assessments

Eligible Participants

1. Ages 13 – 24 years of age
2. Mood Challenges or Prodrome
3. Youth and a primary caregiver are fluent in English

Compensation
for research assessments

Project Status
actively recruiting teens 13-18

Primary Investigator: David Miklowitz, Ph.D.

Project summary

The Child and Adolescent Mood Disorders Program (CHAMP) at UCLA is recruiting participants for a study of children AT RISK for bipolar disorder. Eligible families will have a biological parent with bipolar disorder and a child or teen (age 9-17) with mood swings or significant sadness. Participating families will receive a diagnostic evaluation, family-based therapy, and, when relevant, medication management from a psychiatrist. There is no charge for participating in this research program.

To qualify:

• 1. The child must have a biological parent with bipolar disorder.
• 2. The child must be between the ages of 9 – 17 years old.
• 3. The child must be exhibiting symptoms of depression or impairing mood swings.
• 4. The child does not have a developmental disorder and is not currently using drugs or alcohol.

Project summary
UCLA IRB#14-000248

Project Status
Open for enrollment

Project Contact
Brittany Matkevich (310) 825-2836

Project Description
Family Focused Therapy (FFT) is an evidence-based, family psychosocial intervention that has been shown in 6 randomized trials to improve outcomes for bipolar adolescents and adults. The present study aims to compare different approaches to training community mental health providers (social workers, psychiatrists and psychologists) in Family Focused Therapy.

Project Procedures

1. 12 sessions of FFT
2. Diagnostic assessment
3. Research follow-up evaluations (4 and 12 months after initial assessment)
4. Community Mental Health Clinicians: We will enroll mental health clinicians to either high-intensity or low-intensity training in FFT.

Eligible Participants

1. Between 13-25 years of age
2. Diagnosis of bipolar disorder (BD) type I or II; schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, or psychosis not otherwise specified [NOS]; bipolar disorder, not elsewhere classified (formerly bipolar NOS
3. Family member, or significant other willing to participate in treatment
4. Fluent in English

Compensation
Up to $150

Current status: Project live

Primary Investigator: David Miklowitz, Ph.D., Bowen Chung, M.D.

Family Focused Therapy

Families in this study will be provided with Family Focused Therapy, a family intervention that has been shown in clinical trials to significantly aid youth with mood and stress challenges and their caregivers. The present study aims to learn how mobile technology enhances Family Focused Therapy for youth at risk for chronic mood difficulties. Family Focused Therapy was developed by CHAMP Director David Miklowitz and colleagues.

Families May Qualify If

1. Teen (13-19) has current mood challenges
2. A biological parent had a period of significant mood challenges (bipolar or depression) in childhood or adulthood
3. A primary caregiver is willing to participate in treatment
4. Youth and at least one primary caregiver is fluent in English
5. Youth and at least one primary caregiver is willing to spend time between sessions using the therapy-enhancing tech tool
6. Youth does not have a psychotic disorder or autism spectrum disorder

Benefits

1. Diagnostic assessment and intervention
2. Payment for research evaluations (at intake, 9, 18, and 27 weeks) and app usage. Up to $410 total per family.

Primary Investigators: David Miklowitz, Ph.D., Armen Arevian, M.D., Ph.D.

Project Contact: Samantha Frey (310) 825-4354

Project summary
This study is sponsored by the Integrated Mood Disorders Study Center and the Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology at UCLA. The goal of this study is to understand whether different mood states and mood disorders are associated with inflammation (a typical physical response to injury or infection) among children and adolescents. We will be asking youth and their parents to answer some questions about the youth’s moods, relationships and daily activities. We will also be collecting a small sample of blood from the youth so we can look at levels of inflammation in the blood of different youth.

To qualify:

1. Children ages 12-18 years
2. Currently in good physical health
3. Diagnosis of Bipolar Spectrum Disorders OR Major Depressive Disorder

Project Status: Enrollment is closed for this study

Current status: Project live.

Primary Investigator: David Miklowitz, Ph.D.

Project summary
UCLA IRB#14-001929

Project Status
Open for enrollment

Project Contact
Brittany Matkevich (310) 825-2836

Project Description
This study aims to compare the effectiveness of a new therapy called Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) to Family Focused Therapy (FFT) – an evidence based intervention that has been shown in 6 randomized trials to improve outcomes of bipolar disorder in adolescents and adults. Treatment will provide support for individuals that are currently experiencing depression, self harm thoughts or self harm behaviors.

Project Procedures

1. Weekly, biweekly and monthly individual Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) sessions for up to 6 months plus monthly family sessions to help families learn about mood problems and how to cope with mood swings
   or
2. Weekly, biweekly and monthly Family Focused Therapy (FFT) sessions for up to 6 months that provide support for the family which includes psychoeducation, problem solving and communication skills training
3. Psychiatric evaluations and care can be provided through the CHAMP clinic (with eligible insurance)
4. Diagnostic assessment
5. Three research follow up evaluations (3, 6 and 9 months after initial assessment)

Eligible Participants

1. Between 13-21 years of age
2. Diagnosis of Mood Disorder (includes Bipolar Spectrum and Major Depressive Disorder)
3. Family member, or significant other willing to participate in treatment
4. Fluent in English

Compensation
Up to $150

Current status: Project live

Primary Investigator: David Miklowitz, Ph.D.

Project summary
UCLA IRB#16-001529

Project Status
Open for enrollment

Project Contact
Danielle Denenny, PhD (310) 825-8740

Project Description
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Parents of Youth with Mood Disorders (MBCT-P) is an intervention that was developed to support the mental health and well-being of individuals caring for a child. MBCT-P includes parent sessions of mindfulness meditation practice, mindful parenting strategies, cognitive-behavioral techniques, psychoeducation on mood disorders, and peer support.

Project Procedures

1. Eight weeks (1 per week) of MBCT-P classes plus a 9th check-in session one month later
2. Diagnostic assessment
3. Two research follow up evaluations (3 months and 6 months after initial assessment)

Eligible Participants

1. Adult caregiver of youth ages 7-17 with mood disorders
2. Youth 7-17 years of age willing to participate in a research assessment
3. Fluent in English

Compensation
Up to $100

Current status: Project live

Primary Investigator: David Miklowitz, Ph.D.

Project summary
Are you planning to have a baby, pregnant, or recently had a baby? Have you ever experienced depression or bipolar disorder? A new research study at UCLA may be right for you. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) includes 8 weekly classes (2 hours each). For more information see the website below.

Project Status: Enrollment is closed for this study

Current status: Project live.

MBCT for Perinatal Women with Mood Disorders

Summary
This study was developed to utilize voice recognition technology that tracks mood changes over time in individuals with a mood disorder. Participants will call into an interactive wellness journal to answer questions about how they are doing and feeling. In addition to weekly calls, participants complete blood draws.

Project StatusOpen for enrollment

Project ContactGeorga Morgan-Fleming (310) 267-4901

Primary Investigators: David Miklowitz, Ph.D., Michael Irwin, M.D., Armen Arevian, Ph.D.

Procedure

1. Diagnostic assessment
2. Two in-person research follow up evaluations (3 and 6 months)
3. Two blood draws (Initial and 6 month)
4. Bi-weekly calls into the Voice Wellness Journal and online questionnaires

Eligible Participants

1. Between 18-29 years of age
2. Diagnosis of a mood disorder, or symptoms that indicate probable diagnosis
3. No current substance use disorder 
4. No chronic medical condition that interferes with immune system function (such as thyroid condition) 
5. No autism spectrum disorder diagnosis
6. No seizure disorder
7. No use of steroid medications/ immunizations within the past week of enrollment
8. No illness (cold, flu, etc.) within 3 weeks of enrollment
9. Fluent in English

Compensation
Up to $365

Current status: Project live

Primary Investigator: David Miklowitz, Ph.D., Michael Irwin, M.D., Armen Arevian, Ph.D.

UCLA IRB#13-000510

Project Status
Open for enrollment

Project Description
This study was designed to create a registry database regarding persons who have a mood disorder and may have mood disorders in their family trees. The database is intended as a platform for encouraging innovative cross-lab investigations of the faculty of the UCLA Integrative Study Center in Mood Disorders (IMDC). Participants will be persons with a history of mood disorders (major depression, bipolar disorder or schizoaffective) and complete a battery of assessments of diagnosis, symptom severity, work, academic and social functioning, risk and resiliency factors, and treatment history.

Project Contact
Sam Frey (310)825-4354

Project Procedures

1. Diagnostic assessment
2. One follow up assessment

Eligible Participants

1. 18 – 65 years of age
2. Diagnosis of Mood Disorder (includes Bipolar Spectrum and Major Depressive Disorder or Schizoaffective Disorder), or symptoms which could indicate a mood disorder diagnosis
3. Fluent in English

Compensation
Up to $100

Current status: Project live

Primary Investigator: David Miklowitz, Ph.D.

Project summary
The Child and Adolescent Mood Disorders Program (CHAMP) at UCLA is recruiting participants for a study of children with bipolar disorder. Eligible families will have a child or teen (age 9-17) with bipolar disorder and will be able to come to UCLA one time for a comprehensive assessment.

To qualify:

1. The child must be between the ages of 9-17 years old.
2. Diagnosis of Bipolar Spectrum Disorders
3. The child does not have seizures, autism, mental retardation, or another developmental disorder.

For more information, contact Dr. Alissa Ellis at (310) 825-0118 or aellis@mednet.ucla.edu

Project Status: Open for enrollment

Current status: Project live.

Primary Investigator: Carl Fleisher, M.D.