CTNI is part of the MGH Psychiatry Department, one of the leading academic research programs in the world - with more than $35 million in research programs last year alone.
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The development of novel treatments for depression has been hampered by high placebo response rates. Our depression researchers have developed innovative approaches to both study design and execution with the goal of minimizing the placebo response. They have also successfully integrated novel surrogate markers (brain imaging, QEEG, hormones, cytokines) and pharmacogenetic techniques within clinical trials of both standard and novel treatments. A number of novel clinical instruments have also been developed by the program, including the DESS scale for the measurement of discontinuation symptoms, the MGH CPFQ for the assessment of cognitive and physical symptoms, and the MGH SFI for the evaluation of sexual functioning. For more information, please go to: http://www.massgeneral.org/psychiatry/services/dcrp_home.aspx
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI):
The Geriatrics Research Unit (GRU) has expertise in the development and assessment of novel treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions. They provide a multimodal perspective with strong collaborative work on clinical phenomenology, treatment, neuroimaging, epidemiology, and genetics of dementia and related conditions. The early recognition of the prodromal phase of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementing illnesses (often referred to as MCI), and its differentiation from the changes of normal aging, is an area of particular focus at present, since expected and foreseeable interventions are more likely to be able to preserve than restore nerve function. The GRU has a long track record in this area, and further, has been examining the clinical, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging markers that may help promote even earlier recognition and treatment. They have developed a number of self-report and interview-based brief assessment tools and screening instruments and provide consultation on psychometrics, instrumentation and nosology. For more information, please go to: http://www.massgeneral.org/research/researchlab.aspx?id=1051
PAIN - CNS Analgesic Trials:
Most pain drugs currently used as analgesics in chronic pain (e.g. antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, opioids etc) affect the CNS. However there are significant challenges in pain therapy since in most placebo controlled clinical trials there is a ceiling effect of around 30% efficacy. The PAIN group at the MGH has extensive experience in CNS systems and pain including new insights into how and where analgesics may best be targeted for chronic pain. This has become more apparent in recent years with an improved understanding of the CNS in chronic pain - that aside from central sensory and emotional systems being involved, chronic pain may result in loss of gray matter (i.e., neurodegenerative disease). The PAIN group's CNS Analgesic Trials program offers standard approaches to clinical trials in chronic pain conditions as well as integrative approaches including quantitative sensory testing, functional imaging and surrogate models of the human condition. In addition the program can integrate many aspects of clinical trials including phamacogenetics and neuroimaging. For more information, please go to: http://www.imagingpain.org/team.html
Schizophrenia: The MGH Schizophrenia Program specializes in the development and study of novel treatments for refractory symptoms of schizophrenia, including cognitive deficits and negative symptoms. Our group includes experts in emerging pharmacologic targets in schizophrenia (e.g.: glutamatergic and nicotinic compounds) as well as pharmacogenetics, neuroimaging, psychosocial interventions and outcomes assessment. The Schizophrenia Program has extensive experience conducting studies on-site incorporating genetics and imaging as biomarkers. Our Multi-Center Trial Center has successfully coordinated several large trials characterized by efficient recruitment, high retention rates and minimal placebo response. For more information, please go to: http://www.massgeneral.org/schizophrenia
