depression study

"The University of Pennsylvania is the coordinating site for this nationwide study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.

"The study will create a DNA collection to permit qualified scientists to search for depression-related genes. This is the largest psychiatric genetics study ever attempted - we need more than 750 families with at least two siblings who have experienced major depression.

"If you participate, what will you be asked to do?

• Participate in an interview about your psychiatric history and family history
  
• Give a small blood sample (for DNA)*
  
• Help us to invite your family members to participate*

* Blood samples are not identified by name. No family member will be contacted without the permission and assistance of another participating family member. A Certificate of Confidentiality from the federal government ensures that all information will be strictly confidential.

Reimbursement is provided for the interview and blood sample. Please note that your location is not an issue‚ you may participate without visiting a site. Please contact us for details.

"Who can participate?

• Families with at least two adult siblings who have experienced major depression
  
• Depression must be recurrent (more than one episode)
  
• Depression must have started at age 30 or younger in one sibling, and at age 40 or younger in the other

If you are interested in participating, or would like more information, please e-mail us (kme@mail.med.upenn.edu) or call us toll-free at 1-877-407-9529. "

stupid body

My body has been hating me lately.

Lots of insomnia, although this may be my fault -- I was sleeping in really late, sometimes as late as 2 p.m. Now I'm trying to get up at reasonable hours (9 a.m., for instance), and my body is probably confused. It will take a while to establish a new biorhythm.

Meanwhile, chronic pain issues -- mostly my knees but definitely some hip, foot, wrist and elbow pain -- are making me grumpy. I'm taking my joint supplements, but they just don't seem to be doing the trick anymore. Maybe I just need to switch back to the old brand. So much for Costco. In the meantime, lots of painkillers, I guess? Acetaminophen is my friend.

Sleeping on a narrow couch definitely isn't helping, either. I'm sure that is contributing to the pain problems I'm experiencing.

I try to take care of myself, really I do!

On the positive side, I seem to be having next to no allergic reaction to Selene, the resident kitty -- in spite of petting her a lot and sleeping in the carpeted living room (albeit on a leather couch). Also, the cold I've been recovering from seems mostly in remittance (hopefully permanently).

Yesterday we wandered Melrose on foot and drove VERY briefly through Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. We wound up at a party for young MIT alumni in Venice Beach, where I successfully networked (go me!).

Today I'm planning on getting my butt onto public transportation and wandering around Hollywood... it'll only take an hour to get there!