Overview

Rush University Medical Center is one of the nation's leading academic medical centers, encompassing the 824-bed Presbyterian - St. Luke's Hospital, the Rush Children's Hospital, the 110-bed Johnston R. Bowman Health Center and Rush University. Rush's Department of Psychiatry serves individuals from the greater Chicago area, Indiana and Wisconsin. A full range of mental health services is available, including inpatient and outpatient care for adults, children, adolescents and the elderly. The Treatment Research Center is part of the Department of Psychiatry and has been in existence for more than 15 years, conducting industry- and government-sponsored clinical trials in mental health. Our faculty and staff are nationally and internationally recognized leaders and experts in psychopharmacology. We have studied many novel treatments that have ultimately been approved for clinical use in patients suffering from a variety of mental disorders. We now have locations in Chicago and in north suburban Skokie for better accessibility.

Research Experience

Since 1987, the Treatment Research Center has conducted phase 2, 3 and 4 CNS clinical trials for a wide range of psychiatric disorders, including:

• Bipolar disorder
• Major depressive disorder
• Psychotic disorders
• Treatment-resistant depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Panic disorder
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Prevention

In addition, we have performed a number of trials using positron emission tomography scans to study changes in cerebral glucose metabolism in response to certain medications in both healthy and depressed subjects. The goal of these studies is to relate changes in measurements of glucose metabolism to measurements of clinical efficacy and/or mood.

We have also played a role in developing and/or validating diagnostic assessment tools and rating scales.

Sponsors and CROs we have worked with include:

• Abbott
• AstraZeneca
• Bristol Myers Squibb
• Eli Lilly
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Janssen
• Merck
• Pfizer
• Pharmacia & Upjohn
• PPD Development
• Quintiles
• UCB Pharma
• Wyeth

Facility Description

The Treatment Research Center is a service of the Department of Psychiatry at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Our Chicago site is located on Rush's main campus, just a few miles west of downtown, in the middle of the Illinois Medical District. We are easily accessible by car and public transportation. Our Skokie site is also easily accessible for those who find a suburban location more convenient.

Investigator Experience

John Zajecka, MD
Principal Investigator and Clinical Director, Treatment Research Center
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry

Dr. Zajecka has served as principal investigator on numerous trials since the mid-1980s. He completed his residency at Rush and became clinical director of the Treatment Research Center in 1988. Dr. Zajecka has developed and validated a rating instrument to measure changes in sexual interest and functioning during treatment for mood disorders; this instrument has been used in a number of sponsored clinical trials. He serves on the advisory boards for many pharmaceutical companies and maintains relationships with local and national groups dedicated to education and advocacy for mental health issues.

Staff Expertise

We have a dedicated staff, including investigators, a site administrator and study coordinators who are experienced in conducting a variety of clinical trials, usually without cost to the participant.

Patient Demographics

Being in the center of a major metropolitan area, we are able to reach a wide variety of individuals for our trials.

Other Information

All of our studies are reviewed by our local IRB.