NCT04923685Recruiting
MicroRNA Correlates of Childhood Maltreatment and Suicidality
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 30 Mar 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
This is a research study to find out if childhood trauma and stress are associated with depression or suicidal risk. The study will assess the effects of both short-term and long-term stress on biomarker (e.g. miRNA \[MiRNA\]) levels. miRNAs are a type of RNA (genetic material that is translated into protein) that are found in throughout the body and blood. They are called microRNA because their size is much smaller than typical RNA molecules. miRNAs are highly responsive to environment. This responsiveness is reflected in their expression in individuals who are affected by environment such as stress. The investigators are gathering genetic material, including DNA and RNA, from each participant. The RNA will be taken from the small vesicles and cells in the participant's blood and analyzed. The vesicles are small objects that occur normally in the blood and that contain RNA. This information may help us to understand the cause of mental illness and to improve medical and psychiatric care in the future. There will be 450 participants enrolled in this study.
- Status (registry)
- Recruiting
- Study type
- Observational
- Enrollment
- 450 (estimated)
- First submitted
- 2 Jun 2021
- Start date
- 26 Feb 2021
- Primary completion date
- 31 Mar 2027
- Lead sponsor
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Diseases
- Depression
- NCT number
- NCT04923685
What you commit to
- Study type: Observational
- Planned participants: 450
- From 26 Feb 2021 to the primary completion date, 31 Mar 2027
- 2 sites in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- Immunosuppressive or corticosteroid therapy within the last month, with the following exceptions: any inhaled, intranasal, topical or vaginal corticosteroids are allowed.
- Chemotherapy
Other illness
- A lifetime history of psychotic disorder
- Any history of dissociation or dissociative disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Pervasive developmental disorder
- Cognitive disorder
- Cluster A personality disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Alcohol or drug dependence (except nicotine and caffeine) within the last month or the use of any hallucinogen (except cannabis), including phencyclidine in the last month (NOTE that a positive UDS is not exclusionary except for hallucinogens, methamphetamine, or cocaine. People presenting intoxicated with alcohol may be included when a Breathalyzer test (Alco-Sensor IV) is negative as long as there is no history of recent dependence.
- Recent myocardial infarction
- Unstable angina
Other
- Pregnancy or lactation (women of reproductive potential must have a negative urine pregnancy screen)
- Post-partum state (being within 2 months of delivery or miscarriage)
- Homicide risk as determined by clinical interview
- Anorexia nervosa
- Active neoplasm in the past 6 months
- Head injury with loss of consciousness in the past 6 months
Who the study is looking for
- Age 18-60
- Physically healthy
- Willing and able to provide informed consent
- 5\. Diagnosis of MDD or No history of mental illness
Age in the registry: 18 years to 60 years · Sex: All · Accepts healthy volunteers
Sites (2)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Birmingham | United States | Recruiting |
| UAB Huntsville Regional Medical Campus Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Huntsville | United States | Recruiting |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.