The OPTIMA study — Operationalizing Digital Phenotyping in the Measurement of Anhedonia — is part of UCLA’s work as one of 12 performers in the Wellcome-Leap Multi-Channel Psych program, a cross-collaborative effort to better understand anhedonic depression, a severe and inhibitive kind of depression which affects the ability to feel pleasure or enjoyment.
OPTIMA aims to measure and track behavioral characteristics of depression with digital devices (digital phenotyping) and use these measures to predict brain activity, as measured by MRI scans in several hundred participants.
OPTIMA was open for recruitment until Nov. 30, 2023, with research participation expected to last 3.5 months.
ILIAD, initially a companion study — Investigating LIFUP In Anhedonic Depression — sought to enroll up to 100 participants (primarily from OPTIMA), with enrollment open until approximately Feb. 1, 2024. This study used low-intensity focused ultrasound pulsation (LIFUP) to stimulate brain activity in areas of the brain associated with anhedonia. This study measures how LIFUP may impact measures of depression and anhedonia in the weeks after the ultrasound procedure takes place. Participation in ILIAD lasted approximately five weeks counting from the last day of OPTIMA participation.
To measure and track behavioral characteristics of depression and use these measures to predict brain activity, as measured by MRI scans — to ultimately advance understanding of anhedonia.
Oct. 2022–April 2024
OPTIMA: Several hundred
ILIAD: 100
Wellcome Leap
