📞472-253-0714 ✉️ rapidai@gmu.edu
George Mason University's
Rapid Improvement

Research Study on Depression Treatment

George Mason University is conducting a research study on a new way to help people with depression to find the best antidepressant. The study uses a computer system that evaluates data from more than 3 million patients to suggest which antidepressant may work best for someone with your medical history.

This is a research study, not a medical service. You will not receive a prescription. Any suggestions from this study should be shared with your doctor.

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What This Study Is About

This study tests whether a computer system can help people with depression to find the best available antidepressants for them. The system uses data from more than 3 million patients and 10 million antidepressant treatments. In past studies, the system's suggestions led to better outcomes than average prescriptions. However, these results have not been tested in a new group of patients yet. That is what this study aims to do.

How It Works For You

You will receive information about which antidepressant has worked for patients with a similar medical history as you. Share these results with your doctor. If you do not have a doctor or therapist, the study team may help connect you to one.

Medical History Intake

We will first begin by verifying your eligibility for the study. If you meet the criteria, you will be directed to the consent form and we will obtain your consent to participate. Once that is completed, you will be directed to the chat page where you will interact with the AI system.

It will ask about your medical history, including which antidepressants you have tried, what medications you are currently taking, and any medical or health conditions you may have.

Advice and Referral

We will provide data-driven advice about which oral antidepressant has worked for patients like you. If you do not have a mental health clinician involved in your care, we can refer you to participating clinicians near you.

Information Privacy

Your information is kept confidential and secure. It will not be shared with anyone outside the study team without your consent.

Need More Information?

If you would like to learn more about the study, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for detailed answers.

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Medical Disclaimer

We do not provide medical care. We do not prescribe. We only provide medication advice. Share our advice with your clinician. If you do not have a clinician, we can refer you to one.

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Advice Limitations

Our advice is limited to 15 most common oral antidepressants. Our advice is only valid for Major depression and not for Bipolar depression.

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Delayed & Monitored Advice

All recommendations generated by the system are reviewed by project staff to ensure safety and appropriateness. This review may result in a delay before advice is released to you. Once approved, the recommendations will be shared with you as a PDF summary. At the time of release, project staff will also arrange for the advice to be sent to a prescribing clinician for clinical review and decision-making. We aim to provide your recommendation within 24 hours.

Published Studies

Effectiveness of common antidepressants: a post market release study

Effectiveness of common antidepressants: a post market release study

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Procedure for Organizing a Post-FDA-approval Evaluation of Antidepressants

Procedure for Organizing a Post-FDA-approval Evaluation of Antidepressants

Read More »
Selecting Antidepressants Based on Medical History and Stress Mechanism

Selecting Antidepressants Based on Medical History and Stress Mechanism

Read More »

Start the Eligibility

Begin with the eligibility check. During this step, we will verify whether you qualify to participate in the study. If you are eligible, you will be directed to the consent form. After providing consent, you will complete the medical history intake interview, where we will ask about your past antidepressant use, current medications, and any relevant medical conditions. Within 24 hours of completing the interview, you will receive personalized research-based recommendations.

Start the Eligibility

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