Working in adolescent mental health research: the OARS 12 study

Researchers at the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust are recruiting for a study which looks into the effects of a drug to treat adolescents with depression.

Dr Caroline Zangani, Speciality Doctor and Psychiatrist at the trust explains what is involved in the OARS 12 study and what motivates her to work in research.

Talk to your healthcare professional about taking part in research or search for studies seeking volunteers and sign up to be contacted about studies at Be Part of Research.

What is this research study about?

This study carried out at the Oxford Health Clinical Research Facility, aims to evaluate if the drug Seltorexant is safe and effective in adolescents suffering from depression. Seltorexant has previously been studied in adults for the treatment of insomnia and depression. We are recruiting adolescents aged 12 to 17 with depression who have received at least one antidepressant and have had either partial or no effect from previous sessions of psychotherapy. Enrolment in the study requires parental or guardian consent. 

What does taking part involve?

During the screening visit, we collect blood samples and perform an electrocardiogram (ECG), which records the electrical signal from the heart, to check for any pre-existing heart conditions which may exclude the participants from the study. We then repeat the ECG once the participants have started on the trial to make sure the heart function has not been affected by the study drug, as well as conducting blood tests and other safety questionnaires. 

Involvement lasts roughly 8 weeks and includes up to 12 visits to the facility at the Warneford Hospital in Oxford. Participants continue taking their normal medication in the study, although any sleep medication will be gradually stopped. Participants are randomised to receive a placebo or Seltorexant, which they take for a period of 6 weeks. 

During the study, the participants and the clinicians will complete several assessments on depressive symptoms, sleeping habits, cognitive performance and changes in suicidality.  We monitor the sleep patterns of our participants using an actigraphy, a device which is worn while sleeping to track sleep cycles.

What motivates you to work in research?

As a psychiatrist, my main drive is to help patients overcome their mental or physical difficulties and ultimately feel better. Working in research allows me to have access to new medications and new procedures that can have an impact on the patients’ lives. This means helping people who sometimes have not found a treatment using standard medications and seeing them feeling better after the study is a worthwhile experience.

What would you say to people about considering whether to take part in research?

Research is the only way in which we can safely move on in medicine. There are different study types and different levels of commitment so anybody could find their way of contributing. Any little or big participation is useful, any information that we can collect with research will help us to make a step forward.

Talk to your healthcare professional about taking part in research or search for studies seeking volunteers and sign up to be contacted about studies at Be Part of Research.