Texas Resilience Against Depression

Developing a Biosignature for Depression

The Texas-Resilience Against Depression (T-RAD) program collects genetic, clinical, demographic, behavioral, and biological information from individuals at risk and those who have been diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder. Through this 10-year program of 5,000 people, we hope to determine how best to treat and reduce the risk of mood disorders.

Why this research is important

Mental illness, such as depression, often begins early in life. Approximately one in 11 children experience some form of depression before the age of 14, and many report their first episode of depression occurred between the ages of 12 and 13. This timeframe is also a critical phase in adolescent brain development that could have far-reaching consequences on their physical, emotional, and social well-being as adults.

Resilience and risk factors related to youth depression are not well understood, and addressing mental illness in youth will not only require screening and treatment, but also early intervention and prevention for those at risk. Particularly, little is known about how to build resilience, which is an interactive process that occurs as a result of life events, individual characteristics, and environmental influences. As we begin to understand how this process works, we may begin to identify strategies to improve resilience, and thereby reduce the risk of serious mental illness.

Our Studies

Dallas 2K Study

The D2K study is a long-term study researching the biological mechanisms of depression and antidepressant treatment response. The D2K study is comprised of 2,000 participants, over 10 years of age, with a lifetime or current diagnosis of a mood disorder. Researchers will collect socio-demographic and clinical data, cognitive and psychological assessments, fluid-based biomarkers (blood, urine, saliva), neuroimaging, and EEG. With this information, we hope to create a biosignature to aid in treatment selection and to identify a universal test for depression.

If you would like to participate in this study, complete our form.

Resilience in Adolescent Development Study

Resilience in Adolescent Development (RAD) is a 10-year study of 1,500 participants (ages 10-24) that will help uncover the factors that contribute to resilience among children, adolescents, and young adults at risk for mood and anxiety disorders.

If you would like to participate in this study, complete our form.