Research

Clinical research is critical to the advancement of perinatal mental health treatment. Our program has several ongoing clinical research studies aimed at improving treatments for perinatal mental health and substance use problems. Below are brief descriptions of ongoing studies and opportunities to participate in clinical research. 

PCORI 1: Improving Maternal Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Screening and Treatment

The purpose of this research study is to compare a text message-based screening and referral program for mental health and substance use disorders and intimate partner violence, called Listening to Women and Pregnant and Postpartum People (LTWP), to standard of care in-person mental health, substance use and intimate partner violence screening and referral. The MUSC study team will collect mental health and substance use screening, referral and treatment data on participants and participants will take part in online surveys. You may be eligible to join if:

• You are age 18-45 years
• You are pregnant and receive prenatal care in one of MUSC's OB clinics

For more information and to see if you qualify please contact the study team at 843-872-2439 or wrbhr@musc.edu.

Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Expectant Mothers (MOMs): A Pragmatic Randomized Trial Comparing Extended-Release and Daily Buprenorphine Formulations

The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the impact of treating Opioid Use Disorder in pregnant women with extended-release buprenorphine, compared to sublingual buprenorphine, on mother and infant outcomes. The study consists of a screening phase, weekly medication visits, and research visits throughout pregnancy and until 12 months postpartum. You may be eligible to join if:

• You are 18-41 years old
• You are currently pregnant
• You have opioid use disorder

For more information and to see if you qualify please contact Allison Guill at 843-614-9510 or guill@musc.edu

Pilot RCT of Remote Mental Health and Substance Use Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), Compared to In-Person SBIRT for Peripartum Women

This is a research study to compare a text message based mental health and substance use screening and referral to treatment program, called Listening to Women (LTW), to standard of care mental health and substance use screening. Participation would involve answering questionnaires. 

You may be eligible to join if:

• You are pregnant or postpartum
• You are 18-41 years old
• If you are pregnant, you are receiving prenatal care

For more information and to see if you qualify please contact Tychia Brown at 843-872-2439 or broty@musc.edu

Accelerated Theta Burst Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) for the Treatment of Postpartum Depression  

This study is for those who are currently experiencing postpartum depression. The goal of the study is to see if postpartum women are willing to take part in an accelerated course of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). You may be eligible to join if you: 

• Are female aged 18 or above 
• Are experiencing depression following the birth of a child 

For more information and to see if you qualify please contact our study team at 843-792-8274

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Placebo-Controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy, Safety, & Pharmacokinetics of SAGE-547 Injection in the Treatment of Adult Female Subjects with Severe Postpartum Depression & Adult Female Subjects with Moderate Postpartum Depression*

This is a research study evaluating an investigational medication (SAGE-547, allopregnanolone) in women with moderate to severe postpartum depression. The specific purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of SAGE-547 as a treatment for women with severe or moderate postpartum depression (PPD), an area of high unmet medical need. The study consists of an up to 7-day Screening Period, 3-day inpatient Treatment Period, and 30-day Follow-up Period. Assessments and laboratory samples are collected during the Treatment Period and the Follow-up Period.

*We are no longer enrolling participants in this study. This medication has been approved by the FDA for Postpartum Depression and is being offered as a treatment option in our clinic.