The UAB Depression and Suicide Center is dedicated to determining the safety and optimal dosing of significant new medications to relieve the burden of depression and suicidality on patients and their families. Our research is aimed at testing novel mechanism of action drugs and biologics for the most serious mood disorders. These treatments are aimed at populations either not responsive to treatment or at modifying the underlying course of the illness. This work directly relates to our teaching and clinical missions because psychiatrists must understand the process of developing new medications from discovery through registration so they can critically evaluate the literature and judge whether and how to introduce new medications and devices into the treatment of their patients.
The clinical trials arm of the UAB Depression and Suicide Center is overseen by Dr. Matthew Macaluso. Dr. Macaluso has been extensively involved in clinical trials research since 2008 and has been investigator on more than 70 trials. The research staff consists of research nurses, study coordinators and recruiters who are extensively trained in executing clinical trials. The equipment available through the Center includes a 4 degrees Celsius refrigerator, -20 degrees Celsius freezer, -80 degrees Celsius freezer, secure and temperature monitored storage of investigational product, as well as refrigerated and ambient centrifuges. Our research staff can perform procedures such as PK testing, intravenous infusions, pharmacogenomics, ECG, standardized ratings and phlebotomy for sample collection.