UC Tests Diet Supplements for Teen Depression

For teens and young adults battling depression, getting help often means facing a difficult choice between feeling better and risking serious side effects from medication. Now researchers at the University of Cincinnati are testing treatments that could change that equation entirely.

Dr. Fabiano Nery has launched a groundbreaking clinical trial with $3.5 million in federal funding to study alternatives to traditional antidepressants for people aged 15 to 24. The five-year study will test dietary supplements and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, two approaches showing early promise without the harsh side effects common in this age group.

The timing matters deeply. Depression typically first appears during the teenage years and early adulthood, a vulnerable period when conventional antidepressants can sometimes make things worse. Young patients taking SSRIs, the most common antidepressant class, face risks including mood swings, agitation, and even thoughts of suicide.

The trial will enroll 160 young people with mild depression who aren't currently taking medications. Participants will receive different combinations of the interventions over eight weeks while researchers monitor their brain chemistry through blood tests and MRI scans.

These scans will reveal something scientists haven't fully understood yet: exactly how these treatments work inside the brain. The research team will track changes in inflammation markers, stress indicators, and brain connectivity patterns as symptoms improve or persist.

The Ripple Effect

If successful, this research could transform how we approach mental health care for an entire generation. Young people who can't tolerate standard medications, or who simply prefer not to take them, would have proven alternatives backed by rigorous science.

The study opens doors to what Dr. Nery calls "an array of interventions that can be newer, more innovative and lower risk than conventional treatments." For families navigating the complex world of teen mental health, that means more options and more hope.

Beyond individual patients, the research could reduce healthcare costs significantly. The treatments being tested are far less expensive than prescription medications and ongoing psychiatric care, potentially making mental health support more accessible to everyone who needs it.

Young people interested in participating can contact the trial coordinator at 513-558-5479 or complete an online screening questionnaire. For teens struggling today, knowing that safer options are on the horizon might be the most hopeful news of all.