Weill Cornell Department of Psychiatry

Research Areas

Anxiety Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Child and Adolescent
Depression
Eating Disorders
Geriatric Studies
Imaging Studies
Medication Trials
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Premenstrual Dysphoria Disorder (PMDD)
Psychotherapy
Schizophrenia
Sleep Studies
Virtual Reality
Women's Health
General Population

ANXIETY DISORDER

Do You Have Nightmares or Anxious Reactions to Trauma Memories?
Involves propranolol or placebo when symptoms occur,
and cognitive therapy workbook
Age: 18-60 years
Criteria: No asthma or diabetes or heart problems
Duration/Length: 7 office visits
Compensation: $15 per visit
Contact: Dr. Altemus, 212-746-3751, maltemus@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 6139

Are You Pregnant or Breastfeeding and Bothered by Worries,
Panic Attacks, Obsession or Compulsion?
Involves interviews and questionnaires
Age: 18 or older
Criteria: Must be pregnant or breastfeeding
Duration/Length: 3-5 in-person interviews, 4-5 phone calls
Compensation: $50 per each in-person interview
Contact: Diane, 212-746-3759, die2001@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 7691

Psychotherapies for Panic Disorder
Involves free psychotherapy for patients with panic disorder
Age: 18-70 years
Criteria: Panic disorder (diagnosed at screening)
Duration/Length: Twice weekly psychotherapy sessions for 3 months, followed by monthly sessions for 1 year
Contact: Dr. Milrod, 212-746-5868
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 8040

MRI Brain Scans for Panic Disorder
Involves MRI brain scan and either psychotherapy or medication
Age: 18-55 years
Criteria: History of panic disorder, no current medications
Duration/Length: Weekly treatment for 12 weeks, 2 MRI brain scans
Compensation: Up to $200
Contact: Jude, 212-746-3782,
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 3216A

MRI Brain Scans for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Involves MRI brain scan and interview
Age: 18-55 years
Criteria: History of generalized anxiety disorder, no current medication
Duration/Length: 8 hours (assessment + 1 scan)
Compensation: Up to $100
Contact: Jude, 212-746-3782,
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 3216B

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Research in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Involves questionnaire, interviews,
and an MRI brain scan while playing computer games
Age: 6-40 years
Criteria: Must be able to have MRI, autism spectrum disorder diagnosis
Duration/Length: 2 visits, 2 hours each
Compensation: Up to $80, plus a picture of your brain
Contact: Tara, 212-746-5843, tag2006@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 8660A

BIPOLAR DISORDER

Genetic Study for Bipolar Disorder
Involves MRI brain scan, genetic and cognitive testing
Age: 18+ years
Criteria: Diagnosis of bipolar disorder, in remission
Duration/Length: 3 visits over 1 month
Compensation: Up to $250
Contact: Dr. Kocsis, 212-746-5913
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 8975

Bipolar Mania Treatment in Older Adults
Involves medication trial
Age: 60+ years
Criteria: Diagnosed bipolar disorder, currently manic or hypomanic. Must be able to take Lithium or Depakote
Duration/Length: 9 weeks
Compensation: Up to $260
Contact: Laurie, 914-682-9100 ext. 2570, lad9011@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY WESTCHESTER
Reference #: 7692

CHILD AND ADOLESCENT

How Do You See Objects and Faces?
Involves brain scan (MRI), questionnaires, and computer games
Age: 6-17 years
Criteria: Researchers will administer a questionnaire to determine exclusion
Duration/Length: Up to 3 hours
Compensation: Time and travel, plus a picture of his/her brain
Contact: Sarah, 212-746-4886, sag2014@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 5442A

Research Study for Internationally Adopted Children and Teens
Involves MRI brain scan, computer games, questionnaires, and interviews
Age: 4-16 years
Criteria: Must be able to have MRI
Duration/Length: 2 visit, up to 3 hours each
Compensation: Time and travel, plus a picture of his/her brain
Contact: Nim, 212-746-5830, nlt2002@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 4413A

Brain Imaging Study for Children and Teens
Involves MRI brain scan, computer games, questionnaires, and interviews
Age: 4-16 years
Criteria: Must be able to have MRI
Duration/Length: 2 visit, up to 3 hours each
Compensation: Time and travel, plus a picture of his/her brain
Contact: Nim, 212-746-5830, nlt2002@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 4413B

Family Therapy Treatment for Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa
Involves family therapy and medication
Age: 12-18 years and families
Criteria: Diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and family involvement
Duration/Length: 16-18 sessions (1 hour) over 6 months
Contact: Samantha, 914-997-4395, sab2024@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY WESTCHESTER
Reference #: 8082

Healthy Native English-Speaking Children for Speech Perception Study
Involves MRI brain scan, EEG, and computer experiments
Age: 6-17 years
Criteria: Right-handed, native English speaker
Duration/Length: 3 sessions
Compensation: $20-$60 per session
Contact: Jamie, 212-746-3876, sackler.research@gmail.com
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 4292C

How Do We Interpret People's Faces?
Involves questionnaire, interviews, and an MRI brain scan while playing computer games
Age: 4-40 years
Criteria: Must be able to have MRI, no history of psychiatric illness
Duration/Length: 2 visits, 2 hours each
Compensation: Up to $80, plus a picture of your brain
Contact: Tara, 212-746-5843, tag2006@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 8660B

Research in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Involves questionnaire, interviews, and an MRI brain scan while playing computer games
Age: 6-40 years
Criteria: Must be able to have MRI, autism spectrum disorder diagnosis
Duration/Length: 2 visits, 2 hours each
Compensation: Up to $80, plus a picture of your brain
Contact: Tara, 212-746-5843, tag2006@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 8660A

Seeking Children and Parents Who Have Experienced Divorce or Separation
Involves completing questionnaires
Age: 8-12
Criteria: Must be in outpatient therapy at Payne Whitney Westchester
Duration/Length: About 1.5 hrs
Compensation: 2 free movie vouchers
Contact: Dr. Robins, 914-997-5851, anr9019@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY WESTCHESTER
Reference #: 7388

Are You Having Difficulty in your Relationships and in Pursuing your Goals?
Are You Engaging in Self-Destructive Behavior?
Involves individual psychotherapy sessions and bi-monthly evaluations
Age: 14-21 years
Criteria: Females with interpersonal difficulties in school, family, or peer functioning that live at home with family
Duration/Length: Weekly individual psychotherapy for 6 months and bi-monthly follow-up evaluation for 12 months. A total commitment of 12 months
Compensation: Starbucks Gift Card following the bi-monthly follow-up evaluations
Contact: Dr. Odom, 914-997-5946, ano9021@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY WESTCHESTER
Reference #: 8834

DEPRESSION

Are You an Older Adult who is Depressed, Disabled,
and Receives Home-Delivered Meals?
Involves psychotherapy and/or case management sessions in your own home
Age: 65 years and older
Criteria: Must be depressed, disabled, and receive home-delivered meals
Duration/Length: 1 session per week for 3 months
Compensation: Up to $100
Contact: Tim, 914-997-4390
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY WESTCHESTER
Reference #: 8461

Depression in Older Adults Doesn't Have to be a Fact of Life
Involves an FDA approved antidepressant medication
Age: 60-85 years
Criteria: Right handed, non-color blind with unipolar non-psychotic depression
Duration/Length: Weekly and biweekly visits for 14 weeks, including tests of memory and attention abilities
Compensation: Up to $345 plus transportation costs
Contact: 1-800-NYP-1902, 1-800-697-1902 (Depression Screening Hotline)
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY WESTCHESTER
Reference #: 9061

Are You an Older Adult Who is Depressed, Disabled with Memory Problems?
Involves psychotherapy in your own home
Age: 65+ years
Criteria: Must be depressed, disabled with memory problems
Duration/Length: 1 session weekly for 3 months
Compensation: Up to $75 plus travel
Contact: Tim, 914-997-4390
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY WESTCHESTER
Reference #: 5971

Have You Been Feeling Down or Depressed for the Past Month?< br /> Age: 18-70 years
Criteria: Must have current diagnosis of depression
Duration/Length: 32 visits over 18 months
Compensation: $20 per visit, up to $640
Contact: Emily, 212-746-3754
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 9063

Group Psychotherapy for Depressed, Older Adults
Involves weekly group psychotherapy and mood symptom assessment
Age: 60+ years
Criteria: Diagnosis of major depression
Duration/Length: 1 session per week for 24 weeks
Contact: Dr. Marino, 914-997-8691
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY WESTCHESTER
Reference #: 9201

Do You Have Epilepsy and Depression?
Involves FDA approved antidepressant medication
Age: 18-75 years
Criteria: Must have epilepsy and depression
Duration/Length: 7 visits over 3 months
Contact: Emily, 212-746-3754
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 8121

Daytime Sleepiness? Feeling Depressed?
Involves use of FDA-approved medication
Age: 60-85 years
Criteria: Diagnosis of major depression and daytime sleepiness
Duration/Length: 1 visit per week for 9 weeks
Compensation: Up to $225, plus reimbursement for travel
Contact: 1-800-NYP-1902, 1-800-697-1902 (Depression Screening Hotline)
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY WESTCHESTER
Reference #: 7544

EATING DISORDERS

GERIATRIC STUDIES

Naps to Augment Daily Sleep Amounts in Older Individuals
Involves overnight stays in sleep laboratory
Age: 60+ years
Criteria: Able to nap 5x per week, no history of sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs
Duration/Length: 6 weeks, including 7 nights and days spent in sleep lab
Compensation: $700 Contact: Dawn, 914-997-5825 Location: PAYNE WHITNEY WESTCHESTER
Reference #: 8065

IMAGING STUDIES

How Do You See Objects and Faces?
Involves brain scan (MRI), questionnaires, and computer games
Age: 6-35 years
Criteria: Researchers will administer an in-house questionnaire to determine exclusion
Duration/Length: Up to 3 hours
Compensation: Time and travel, plus a picture of his/her brain
Contact: Sarah, 212-746-4886, sag2014@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 5442A/B

Research Study for Internationally Adopted Kids and Teens
Involves MRI brain scan, computer games, questionnaires, and interviews
Age: 4-16 years
Criteria: Must be able to have MRI
Duration/Length: 2 visit, up to 3 hours each
Compensation: Time and travel, plus a picture of his/her brain
Contact: Nim, 212-746-5830, nlt2002@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 4413A

Healthy Native Japanese-Speaking Adults for Speech Perception Study
Involves MRI brain scan, EEG, and computer experiments
Age: 18-45 years
Criteria: Right-handed, native Japanese speaker
Duration/Length: 3 sessions
Compensation: $20-$60 per session
Contact: Jamie, 212-746-3876, sackler.research@gmail.com
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 4292A

Healthy Native English-Speaking Adults for Speech Perception Study
Involves MRI brain scan, EEG, and computer experiments
Age: 18-45 years
Criteria: Right-handed, native English speaker
Duration/Length: 3 sessions
Compensation: $20-$60 per session
Contact: Jamie, 212-746-3876, sackler.research@gmail.com
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 4292B

MRI Brain Scans for Schizophrenia
Involves MRI brain scans and interview
Age: 18-55 years
Criteria: Diagnosis of schizophrenia, paranoid or non-paranoid
Duration/Length: 8 hours (assessment + 2 scans)
Compensation: Up to $200
Contact: Jude, 212-746-3782
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 3216C

MRI Brain Scan for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
Involves MRI brain scan, interview, and daily rating scales
Age: 18-55 years
Criteria: Diagnosis of PMDD
Duration/Length: 2 MRI scans, daily ratings for 2-3 months (17 hours total)
Compensation: Up to $250
Contact: Elizabeth, 212-746-3784
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 5911

PET Scan for Brain Imaging in Schizophrenia
Involves interview and PET scan
Age: 18-55 years
Criteria: Diagnosis of schizophrenia
Duration/Length: 3 hours (assessment + 1 scan)
Compensation: Up to $150
Contact: Jude, 212-746-3782
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 8320

MRI Brain Scan of Healthy Volunteers
Involves interview and MRI
Age: 18-55 years
Criteria: Healthy volunteers, no major medical, neurologic, or psychiatric history
Duration/Length: Up to 10 hours
Compensation: Up to $200
Contact: Jude, 212-746-3782
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 2811

MEDICATION TRIALS

Can PMS Medication be Taken Only on the Days You Feel Bad?
Involves Zoloft or placebo on days of premenstrual symptoms
Age: 18-45 years
Criteria: No psychiatric medication
Duration/Length: 10 office visits over 12 months, daily mood ratings
Compensation: Up to $100
Contact: Diane, 212-746-3759, die2001@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 8815

Hot Flashes? Depression? Anxiety?
Involves antidepressant medication and blood draws
Age: 40-75 years
Criteria: Postmenopausal women who suffer from hot flashes, anxiety, or depression
Duration/Length: 2 blood draws over 2 months
Compensation: $25 per visit, plus complementary sex therapy consultation
Contact: Dr. Bartlik, (212) 821-0789, bdb2001@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 7411

Have You Been Feeling Down or Depressed for the Past Month?
Involves new investigational drug treatment
Age: 18-70 years
Criteria: Must have current diagnosis of depression
Duration/Length: 32 visits over 18 months
Compensation: $20 per visit, up to $640
Contact: Emily, 212-746-3754
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 9063

Dietary Supplement for Schizophrenia
Involves use of non-FDA regulated nutritional supplement
Age: 18-65 years
Criteria: Diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder without seizures
Duration/Length: 5 visits over 4 months (1-3 hours each)
Compensation: $10-$35, depending on length of visit
Contact: Judith, 914-682-6974, jme2003@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY WESTCHESTER and MANHATTAN
Reference #: 7841

Are You a Veteran or Civilian who Served in Iraq
or a Witness to the World Trade Center Attacks?
Evaluate the effects of combined Posttraumatic Stress Disorder treatments: D-cycloserine and Virtual Reality Esposure Therapy
Age: 18-70 years
Criteria: Participants are English-speaking, were exposed to the World Trade Center attacks or veterans of the Iraq war, diagnosed with PTSD symptoms, and in good health
Duration/Length: 12 weekly individualized sessions, lasting from 1-3 hours
Contact: Dr. Difede, 212-746-3079
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 7625

Investigational New Drug for Cognitive Difficulties in Schizophrenia
Involves twice monthly visits for nine months
Age: 18-65 years
Criteria: Must have schizophrenia diagnosis and be taking an atypical antipsychotic medication, which will continue throughout the study
Duration/Length: Alternating short (1 hour) and long (3 hour) visits and monthly blood draws
Compensation: $10 for short and $40 for long visit, with reimbursement of travel expenses
Contact: Judith, 914-682-6974, jme2003@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY WESTCHESTER and MANHATTAN
Reference #: 9491

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)

Are You a Veteran who Served in Iraq?
Involves virtual reality Iraq combat scenario, with measurement of stress responses
Age: 18-55 years
Criteria: English fluency, served in Iraq during Iraq or Gulf wars
Duration/Length: 3 visits once a week for 3 weeks
Compensation: Up to $150
Contact: Dr. Malta, 212-746-0559, lsm2002@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 8459

Have You Been Exposed to a Traumatic Event?
Evaluate the effects of an individual treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder using exposure enhanced virtual reality technology
Age: 18-70 years
Criteria: Participants are English-speaking and were exposed to a traumatic event (i.e. the World Trade Center attacks, Hurricane Katrina)
Duration/Length: 12 weekly individualized sessions, lasting from 1-3 hours
Contact: Dr. Difede, 212-746-3019
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 0551

PREMENSTRUAL DYSPHORIC DISORDER (PMDD)

Are You Irritable or Moody Premenstrually?
Involves daily mood ratings, study medication or placebo, blood draws
Age: 18-50 years
Criteria: No birth control pills, no psychiatric medication
Duration/Length: 7 visits over 4 months
Compensation: Two follow-up visits to try other non-research treatments for PMS
Contact: Diane, 212-746-3759, die2001@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 7100

PSYCHOTHERAPY

Mindfulness Stress Reduction Study Seeking Control Subjects
Involves blood draws, attention & concentration tests, questionnaires
Age: 18-75 yrs
Criteria: No psychiatric diagnosis, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Duration/Length: Three visits over 5 months
Compensation: A total of $40 for three visits ($10, $10, $20)
Contact: Dean, 212-821-0775
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 8181

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Paranoia
Involves individual and group cognitive behavioral therapy
Age: 18-50 years
Criteria: Diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, with tendency to become paranoid
Duration/Length: 1 individual and 1 group session weekly for 5 months
Compensation: $100
Contact: Lada, 212-821-0623
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 7908

SCHIZOPHRENIA

Dietary Supplement for Schizophrenia
Involves use of non-FDA regulated nutritional supplement
Age: 18-65 years
Criteria: Diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, no seizures within past year
Duration/Length: 5 visits over 4 months (1-3 hours each)
Compensation: $10-$35, depending on length of visit
Contact: Judith, 914-682-6974, jme2003@med.cornell.edu
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY WESTCHESTER and MANHATTAN
Reference #: 7841

SLEEP STUDIES

Naps to Augment Daily Sleep Amounts in Older Individuals
Involves overnight stays in sleep laboratory
Age: 60+ years
Criteria: Able to nap 5x per week, no history of sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs
Duration/Length: 6 weeks, including 7 nights and days spent in sleep lab
Compensation: $700
Contact: Dawn, 914-997-5825
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY WESTCHESTER
Reference #: 8065

Have You Been Diagnosed with Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD)?
Involves living in sleep laboratory for 3 consecutive weeks
Age: 18-60 years
Criteria: Diagnosis of delayed sleep phase disorder
Duration/Length: 5 weeks, including 3 consecutive weeks residing in sleep lab
Compensation: $2000
Contact: Dawn, 914-997-5825
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY WESTCHESTER
Reference #: 8750

VIRTUAL REALITY

WOMEN'S HEALTH

GENERAL POPULATION

Naps to Augment Daily Sleep Amounts in Older Individuals
Involves overnight stays in sleep laboratory
Age: 60+ years
Criteria: Able to nap 5x per week, no history of sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs
Duration/Length: 6 weeks, including 7 nights and days spent in sleep lab
Compensation: $700
Contact: Dawn, 914-997-5825
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY WESTCHESTER
Reference #: 8065

Have You Been Diagnosed with Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD)?
Involves living in sleep laboratory for 3 consecutive weeks
Age: 18-60 years
Criteria: No sleep problems
Duration/Length: 5 weeks, including 3 consecutive weeks residing in sleep lab
Compensation: $2000
Contact: Dawn, 914-997-5825
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY WESTCHESTER
Reference #: 8750

Do You Have Reading Difficulties and/or Dyslexia?
Involves computer experiments and standardized assessments
Age: 18-40 years
Criteria: Right-handed, native English speaker, history of reading difficulty
Duration/Length: 1 session
Compensation: $30
Contact: Peter, 212-746-3876, sackler.research@gmail.com
Location: PAYNE WHITNEY MANHATTAN
Reference #: 4870

Ongoing Research

Research 1

Research 2

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Weill Cornell Department of Psychiatry

Research Areas

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