Research line in Health and Lifestyle
Projects
PROJECTS IN THE PARTICIPANT RECRUITMENT PHASE
3D – Les Dones es Deslliuren de la Depressió
Clinical study to develop and evaluate a digital platform for women with mild to moderate depressive symptoms, based on promoting self-help through cognitive-behavioural techniques, psychoeducational content, and psychological therapy via videoconferencing.
Objectives:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a combined treatment of personalised psychotherapy and a digital platform with content co-created by expert professionals and women who have suffered from depression.
- This is the first intervention designed exclusively for women, addressing topics of particular relevance to them, such as the relationship between gynaecological health, hormonal changes, and depression; the impact of microaggressions and sexist social positioning in mental health, and the identification of abuse within the intimate relationships, etc.
- To study the role of biological markers in response to treatment.
Duration: 2024 – 2026
Funding: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI23/00257)
ConLiGen– Consortium, lithium, and genetics
The term ConLiGen is an acronym formed from the words Consortium, Lithium, and Genetics and refers to a group of research teams from more than 40 countries that share an interest in advancing the pharmacogenetics of lithium, one of the most widely used and effective treatments for bipolar disorder.
It has been suggested that response to lithium treatment is familial, raising the possibility that genetic variation may contribute to interindividual differences in treatment response. If such differences can be identified, they could facilitate the development of new treatments for bipolar disorder or allow better matching between patients and treatments.
Founded in 2007, our group has published more than 20 articles, almost all in first-decile journals and self-funded.
Objectives:
- To identify genetic factors associated with response to lithium treatment in individuals with bipolar disorder.
- To rigorously and homogeneously define the lithium response phenotype, taking into account clinical complexity and long-term course.
- To analyse the pharmacogenetics of lithium, including genetic susceptibility to adverse effects (e.g., weight gain, thyroid dysfunction, tremor).
- To facilitate adequately powered and replicable genomic studies through international collaboration and the use of large samples.
- To contribute to the development of more personalised treatments and improved matching between patients and treatments in bipolar disorder.
Duration: Active consortium with ongoing development.
Funding: International collaborative consortium, with funding mainly provided by participating groups and linked to competitive projects and institutional collaborations.
PROJECTS IN THE PUBLICATION PHASE
IDEA – Intervention in Depression through Exercise and Activation
Clinical study to develop and evaluate the efficacy of a behavioural activation and individualised physical exercise programme for people with depressive symptoms.
Objectives:
- Improve depressive symptoms through personalised exercise.
- Assess the feasibility of the intervention in primary care.
Duration: 2020 – 2024
Funding: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI19/00009)
The IDEA study in the media:
- Exercise improves symptoms of depression, according to a study by Hospital del Mar – 3cat: https://www.3cat.cat/3cat/lexercici-millora-els-simptomes-de-la-depressio/video/6275120/
- Scheduled exercise programmes help people with depressive symptoms – Diari de Barcelona: https://www.diaridebarcelona.cat/w/-programes-pautats-d-exercici-fisic-ajuden-persones-amb-simptomes-depressius
- What physical exercise should be like to combat depression: personalised and followed up – 3cat: https://www.3cat.cat/3catinfo/com-ha-de-ser-lexercici-fisic-per-combatre-la-depressio-personalitzat-i-amb-seguiment/noticia/3285586/
R-LiNK – Personalised assessment of lithium in bipolar disorder
European project to identify clinical, genetic and metabolic predictors of response to lithium treatment.
Objectives:
- Optimizar la prescripción de litio.
- Implementar herramientas de medicina personalizada en psiquiatría.
Duration: 2017 – 2023
Funding: Comisión Europea (H2020, 754907)
COMPLETED PROJECTS
SIMPLe – A mobile application for bipolar disorder
SIMPLe is a research project that evaluates the use of mobile devices as a support tool for the monitoring and psychoeducation of individuals with bipolar disorder. Through a simple and discreet mobile application, SIMPLe enables mood tracking and the delivery of personalised psychoeducational messages, facilitating self-management of the disorder and early detection of potential relapses.
Objectives:
- To develop and scientifically evaluate a mobile application for the monitoring of bipolar disorder.
- To provide personalised psychoeducation.
- To reduce relapses, complications, and hospitalisations, and to improve quality of life.
Duration: 2014 – 2025
Funding: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI14/00286; PI15/00588)