Anxiety clinical trials in San Diego

The goal of this open-label single-arm study is to test a meditative neurofeedback intervention for depressed mood.

The VA wants to understand what type of integrative and whole health approaches are helpful for Veterans. The study is comparing two primary care based mental health treatments, a mindfulness class that teaches mindfulness meditation and a problem-solving class that teaches problem-solving skills and how to build resilience, for Veterans who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and/or PTSD. The goal of the study is to understand if the classes reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and/or PTSD and increase overall functioning.

The proposed project aims to test the cognitive and neural effects of a cognitive training in a sample of individuals seeking treatment for anxiety, depression, or traumatic stress symptoms. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group 1 will receive a computer-based program that is designed as a cognitive training intervention and Group 2 will receive a similar computer-based exercise that researchers think will be less effective in training thinking skills (also known as a control or sham condition). Participants will be compared on cognitive performance and brain response during cognitive tasks from baseline to post-treatment.

This pilot randomized controlled trial will compare a novel mindfulness training to interoceptive exposure to establish feasibility and acceptability as an intervention for anxiety sensitivity.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major health concern amongst Veterans as it causes functional impairments and decreased quality of life. Current AUD treatments show limited effectiveness in reducing withdrawal-related psychological and physical distress, which drives the urge to drink to relieve these symptoms. The investigators propose the vagus nerve, which is the primary nerve of the "rest and digest" branch of the autonomic nervous system via its bidirectional connections between the brain and the body, as a novel treatment target for AUD. The goal of this study is to assess treatment efficacy and mechanism of action. Noninvasive neuromodulation technologies offer the possibility for innovative, low risk treatments to support the rehabilitation and community reintegration of Veterans with AUD.

This study seeks to understand if the medication pramipexole improves social connectedness and functioning in adults (ages 18-50) who experience anxiety or depression. The study plans to enroll 108 participants total across two sites (University of California San Diego and New York State Psychiatric Institute). Pramipexole will be given in a 6-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Social reward processing will be assessed using measures of brain function (fMRI), behavior, and self-report at baseline and week 6. Knowledge gained from this study will help determine the therapeutic potential of targeting the dopamine system to remediate social disconnection as an anxiety and depression intervention.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is usually treated with antidepressant therapy (ADT); however, sometimes ADTs alone are not enough to adequately treat GAD. The purpose of this study is to assess how safe and effective ABBV-932 is when added to the antidepressant therapies in adult participants with GAD who have had an inadequate response ADTs. ABBV-932 is an investigational drug being developed for the adjunctive treatment of GAD. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive ABBV-932 or Placebo in addition to their currently prescribed ADTs. There is 1 in 3 chance of participants assigned to Placebo. Approximately 315 adult participants with GAD and inadequate response to ADTs will be enrolled in approximately 50 sites in the United States and Puerto Rico. Participants will receive oral capsules of ABBV-932 or matching placebo in addition to their prescribed ADT for 6 weeks and then will be followed for an additional 4 week follow-up period. There may be higher treatment burden for participants in this trial compared to their standard of care. Participants will attend regular visits during the study at a hospital or clinic. The effect of the treatment will be checked by medical assessments, blood tests, checking for side effects and completing questionnaires.