Each person is different
Antidepressants work differently for different people. What helps one person might not work the same way for another. We're studying these individual differences.
Finding the right treatment, sooner.
Antidepressant treatment shouldn't be a guessing game. RELMED is working towards using advanced research to predict which medication is most likely to help each person along their individual path to recovery.
In Partnership With
Who can take part?
We are looking for volunteers who would like to help advance depression treatment research from home.
You may be eligible if you:
- Are aged 18 or over
- Are currently experiencing low mood or depression
- Are registered with a GP in England
- Have not taken antidepressants in the past six weeks
- Want to start treatment with antidepressant medication
- Are not pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy
Interested in participating? Register your interest below.
Final eligibility is confirmed after registration and initial assessment.
How it works
Your participation journey from start to finish.
1
Registration & Screening
Complete our online registration form and initial screening questionnaires. We'll check if you're eligible and contact you to discuss the study.
2
Optional: EEG assessment
You can choose to have an EEG assessment. EEG records your brainwaves through a cap placed on your head. Interested participants receive extra compensation, and a printout of their own brainwaves.
3
Computer-Based Assessment
You complete computer tasks (like simple games) and questionnaires from home. These show how your brain learns from trial and error and how you are feeling right now.
4
Treatment
You'll receive one of two antidepressants delivered to your home. At first, you won't know which one you're taking, and during the first two weeks only, you may be given a placebo (a harmless "dummy" pill). After eight weeks, we'll let you know exactly which medication you're on. Both antidepressants we use—escitalopram and bupropion—are known to be effective, but they work in slightly different ways.
5
Follow-Up Assessments
Over 6 months, you'll complete a few more online check-ins to track your progress. At the end, we'll help you gradually stop the medication. We'll be in touch with you throughout.
Time Commitment
7-8 hours total over 6 months, completed at your convenience from home.
Optional EEG assessments: two 2-hour in-person sessions.
Compensation
You will be compensated for your time, receiving £50–£125 depending on which study components you participate in.
The science behind RELMED
Everyone is different. Just like we all have unique fingerprints, we each respond to medications differently. RELMED uses science to understand these differences and help improve future treatment.
Learning from life
We learn from every experience—not just in school, but from daily life, relationships, and challenges. These experiences shape how we feel and what motivates us. We're studying how these individual patterns relate to depression.
Helping future patients
Your participation helps us discover patterns that could one day help doctors choose the right medication from the start, sparing future patients from trying different options to find what works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the RELMED study, participation, and what to expect.
Our Sites & Team
The RELMED study is a multi-centre collaboration across the UK.