Search Clinical Trials
Before medications are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or before certain therapy methods are widely accepted as effective, they are tested on people who volunteer to participate in a clinical trial.
Organizations across the country are looking for people like you to take part in their research studies. The list of studies below have been selected from ClinicalTrials.gov based on their inclusion of one or more of the following terms: anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, PTSD, and bipolar disorder.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) is supportive of research that is conducted through clinical trials. Participating in research can potentially help change the mental health outcomes for you and others who suffer anxiety, depression, and related disorders. You may learn about new interventions/treatments that are being considered.
Read this ADAA blog about things to know and questions to ask before committing to a clinical trial.
This website page is brought to you in partnership with ResearchMatch.
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Feasibility of a Prenatal Yoga Mobile App in African American Pregnant Women
San Diego State University
Pregnancy Related
Mental Health Issue
Discrimination, Racial
Stress
Depression
The goal of this research is to test if a prenatal yoga app can improve well-being in
African American/Black (AA) pregnant women. The main questions it aims to answer are:
1. Is the Down Dog prenatal yoga app feasible for AA pregnant women?
2. How does mental and physical health change after1 expand
The goal of this research is to test if a prenatal yoga app can improve well-being in African American/Black (AA) pregnant women. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Is the Down Dog prenatal yoga app feasible for AA pregnant women? 2. How does mental and physical health change after using the Down Dog app for 12-weeks? 3. What cultural adaptations to the Down Dog app are needed? The study lasts for 12 weeks and participants are asked to: - do prenatal yoga with the app for at least 20 min/day, three days/week, from home - wear a Garmin Vivosmart 5 watch daily - complete four online surveys - complete an optional virtual interview This project aims to advance public health by contributing to a broader understanding of how prenatal yoga can support the health and well-being of AA pregnant women and promote optimal maternal and child health outcomes. Type: Interventional Start Date: Mar 2025 |
A Study of the Efficacy and Safety of SP-624 in the Treatment of Adults With Major Depressive Disor1
Sirtsei Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Major Depressive Disorder
This is a Phase 2B clinical study evaluating the effectiveness and safety of SP-624 as
compared to placebo in the treatment of adults with Major Depressive Disorder. expand
This is a Phase 2B clinical study evaluating the effectiveness and safety of SP-624 as compared to placebo in the treatment of adults with Major Depressive Disorder. Type: Interventional Start Date: Mar 2024 |
Evaluating Process of Change in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy1
University of Southern California
Depression
This study will compare two psychological treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD):
cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Both
treatments are well-studied and supported by evidence as effective options for people
experiencing depression. These treatme1 expand
This study will compare two psychological treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD): cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Both treatments are well-studied and supported by evidence as effective options for people experiencing depression. These treatments will be delivered in an online group format via Zoom. The study will enroll up to 100 participants with depression. Half of the participants will receive online group CBT and half will receive online group ACT. There will be up to 10 members in each group. For both conditions, treatment will be provided over 8 weeks, with a 6-month follow-up period. Enrollment will be ongoing and groups will occur simultaneously. Potential participants are asked to complete an initial screening and an intake evaluation to determine eligibility. They will then receive 8-weeks of treatment. Participants will complete self-report questionnaires throughout their time in the study. Type: Interventional Start Date: Jan 2024 |
Mindfulness Intervention for Caregivers of Autism in Rural Environments
MaineHealth
Stress
Anxiety
The purpose of this clinical trial is to investigate the effectiveness of a mobile
app-based mindfulness program in improving the mental well-being of caregivers with a
child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who live in rural areas of Maine. The
primary question the investigators aim t1 expand
The purpose of this clinical trial is to investigate the effectiveness of a mobile app-based mindfulness program in improving the mental well-being of caregivers with a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who live in rural areas of Maine. The primary question the investigators aim to answer is whether this mindfulness intervention can reduce stress and anxiety in these rural caregivers of children with ASD. Participants in the trial will engage in a 30-day mindfulness program that they can complete over a maximum of 60 days. During this time, they will practice short daily mindfulness lessons and respond to a set of brief questions regarding their anxiety levels. Ultimately, the investigators want to assess whether this intervention helps these caregivers feel less stressed and anxious. Type: Interventional Start Date: Jun 2024 |
Causal Role of Delta-beta Coupling for Goal-directed Behavior in Anhedonic Depression
Florida State University
Major Depressive Disorder
Anhedonia
Anhedonia, the inability to seek-out and experience pleasure, is a common symptom in
depression that predicts treatment-resistance and is sometimes exacerbated by first-line
antidepressants. In our previous research, we found that anhedonia decreases
goal-directed behavior and its related neural ac1 expand
Anhedonia, the inability to seek-out and experience pleasure, is a common symptom in depression that predicts treatment-resistance and is sometimes exacerbated by first-line antidepressants. In our previous research, we found that anhedonia decreases goal-directed behavior and its related neural activity. In this study, we will investigate target engagement from five-consecutive days of stimulation for participants that are within a unipolar major depressive episode and also have high symptoms of anhedonia. Type: Interventional Start Date: Jan 2024 |
Study to Assess the Safety and Effectiveness of NMRA-335140-501
Neumora Therapeutics, Inc.
Major Depressive Disorder
This is a 52-week open-label extension (OLE) study that will evaluate the safety,
tolerability, and effectiveness of NMRA-335140 in participants with major depressive
disorder (MDD). Participants who completed a parent study investigating the efficacy of
NMRA-335140 as a treatment for MDD (ie, NMRA1 expand
This is a 52-week open-label extension (OLE) study that will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of NMRA-335140 in participants with major depressive disorder (MDD). Participants who completed a parent study investigating the efficacy of NMRA-335140 as a treatment for MDD (ie, NMRA-335140-301, NMRA-335140-302, or NMRA-335140-303), who provide informed consent, and who have no evidence of safety concerns that would preclude treatment with NMRA-335140 may be enrolled into this extension study. Type: Interventional Start Date: Nov 2023 |
Nurse Family Partnership for Women With Previous Live Births
University of Colorado, Denver
Pregnancy, High Risk
Child Development
Post Partum Depression
The goal of this clinical trial is to test the Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) in mothers
with previous live births (multiparous or multip individuals). The main aims are:
Specific Aim 1-Determine the effectiveness of NFP among multiparous women for reducing
maternal morbidity and improving pregnan1 expand
The goal of this clinical trial is to test the Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) in mothers with previous live births (multiparous or multip individuals). The main aims are: Specific Aim 1-Determine the effectiveness of NFP among multiparous women for reducing maternal morbidity and improving pregnancy outcomes. Specific Aim 2-Determine the effectiveness of NFP among index children (child from pregnancy when mother was enrolled) of multiparous women for improving child outcomes. Specific Aim 3 (Exploratory)-In preparation for a future study of the effects of preventive home-visiting programs on mother-index child-sibling triads, describe siblings (characteristics, role, influence) in the context of nurse home-visiting and evaluate the effectiveness of NFP on outcomes for prior-born siblings younger than 6 years old living in the home, including cognitive development, socioemotional development, and identification and referral to needed services. A supplemental study to this study, led by investigators at Yale and Columbia, includes the following Aims: Aim 1: Test whether the NFP causes variation in DNAm at Glucocorticoid-sensitive sites in infants over the first year of life. Aim 2: Determine whether NFP causes differences in epigenetic age in infants over the first year of life. Aim 3: Evaluate DNAm signatures as predictors of infant development at 12 months of age. Type: Interventional Start Date: Apr 2024 |
Psilocybin in Co-occuring Major Depressive Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder
University of Chicago
Borderline Personality Disorder
Major Depressive Disorder
The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of psilocybin
in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD). expand
The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of psilocybin in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Type: Interventional Start Date: Nov 2023 |
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) Memory Support (MS) Study
Boston University
PTSD
The efficacy of psychological interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is
likely limited by the difficulty participants have learning and remembering important
therapy content. Accordingly, the present study will examine the utility of integrating a
Memory Support (MS) intervention in1 expand
The efficacy of psychological interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is likely limited by the difficulty participants have learning and remembering important therapy content. Accordingly, the present study will examine the utility of integrating a Memory Support (MS) intervention into Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), an empirically supported and widely disseminated treatment for PTSD. MS was designed to integrate techniques aimed at facilitating encoding, consolidation, and retrieval of new learning into existing treatments, and has been shown to improve outcomes when integrated into cognitive therapy for depression. A pilot randomized controlled trial (n=52) comparing CPT with Memory Support (CPT+MS) to CPT-alone will be conducted. Study participants will be adults diagnosed with PTSD. The primary aim of the trial will be to determine if CPT+MS will lead to greater memory and learning of therapy content relative to CPT-alone, and to establish the acceptability and feasibility of integrating MS into CPT. Secondary aims include a preliminary examination of treatment efficacy, as indicated by the magnitude of changes in PTSD symptoms between conditions, and target validation, as indicated by associations between memory and learning of therapy content and treatment response. Exploratory analyses will examine several indicators of baseline memory-related cognitive functioning as predictors of memory and learning of therapy content, providing preliminary data to inform future research on personalized application of MS. Results of the trial will advance scientific knowledge about methods for optimizing memory and learning as a mechanism for improving PTSD treatment outcomes. Type: Interventional Start Date: Jan 2023 |
ERP to Improve Functioning in Veterans With OCD
VA Office of Research and Development
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Comorbid Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and OCD
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating psychiatric illness impacting work,
social, and family functioning. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the sole
evidence-based psychotherapy for OCD; however, no randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
have examined the effectiveness of ERP a1 expand
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating psychiatric illness impacting work, social, and family functioning. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the sole evidence-based psychotherapy for OCD; however, no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have examined the effectiveness of ERP among Veterans or individuals with both OCD and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This 4-year Hybrid Type I trial will compare outcomes of ERP to those of a control condition among Veterans with OCD. Primary and secondary aims will examine whether Veterans' functioning, quality of life, and OCD symptoms differ between the ERP and control in the full sample of Veterans with OCD, and in the half of the sample with both OCD and PTSD. The tertiary aim is to conduct a mixed-methods formative evaluation of the implementation potential of ERP in VA mental health settings. Type: Interventional Start Date: Oct 2022 |
Accelerated TMS for Depression and OCD
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Depression
OCD
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a FDA-approved treatment for
depression and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The goal of the study is to learn how
to optimize the treatment to improve symptoms of depression and OCD. This research
project will test a new accelerated 5-day1 expand
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a FDA-approved treatment for depression and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The goal of the study is to learn how to optimize the treatment to improve symptoms of depression and OCD. This research project will test a new accelerated 5-day accelerated rTMS protocol for treating symptoms of depression and OCD. A second goal of this study is to identify biomarkers of depression and OCD in the brain using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This approach will predict who will benefit from TMS, determine the optimal treatment target, and improve treatment outcomes. Subjects will receive a clinical assessment of symptoms and an fMRI brain scan before and after each treatment course to measure the effect of treatment on symptom severity and on fMRI measures of functional connectivity. Participants will be randomized to receive rTMS targeting either the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) or the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC). Participants will complete a 5-day course of rTMS delivered hourly for 10 hours per day. Participants who show a partial response to treatment but not a full response will then receive a second 5-day course. Treatment non-responders will be crossed over to receive rTMS targeting the opposite brain area. The primary hypothesis is that accelerated rTMS treatment will yield rapid improvement in symptoms for patients with depression and OCD in just 5 days, and that response rates can be further improved by adding a second 5-day treatment course. Type: Interventional Start Date: Dec 2021 |
Brief, High-dose rTMS for Depression
Medical University of South Carolina
Depression
Anxiety
High frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been shown to be
safe, feasible, and acceptable. Conventionally, rTMS investigations have relied on
rational decision trees for dosage determination. The purpose of this study is to
systematically examine an accelerated protocol1 expand
High frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been shown to be safe, feasible, and acceptable. Conventionally, rTMS investigations have relied on rational decision trees for dosage determination. The purpose of this study is to systematically examine an accelerated protocol of intermittent theta burst (iTBS). Study 1 aims to provide a quantifiable dose-response curve for iTBS and depressive symptom reduction in major depression. Study 2 aims to determine the role of individual variations of their functional networks compared to the site of stimulation and clinical outcomes. Type: Interventional Start Date: May 2021 |
Neurofeedback for Treatment Resistant Depression
Kymberly Young
Treatment Resistant Depression
The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical efficacy of real-time functional
magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (rtfMRI-nf) training to increase the amygdala's
response to positive autobiographical memories in patients with depression who are
considered treatment-resistant expand
The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical efficacy of real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (rtfMRI-nf) training to increase the amygdala's response to positive autobiographical memories in patients with depression who are considered treatment-resistant Type: Interventional Start Date: Oct 2018 |
Accelerated iTBS for Post Partum Depression
Medical University of South Carolina
Post Partum Depression
Study 1: The investigators are studying the feasibility and tolerability of 10x/day
intermittent theta burst (excitatory) transcranial magnetic stimulation to the left
dorsolateral prefrontal cortex over the course of 6 days for women with post-partum
depression. The investigators further aim to ch1 expand
Study 1: The investigators are studying the feasibility and tolerability of 10x/day intermittent theta burst (excitatory) transcranial magnetic stimulation to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex over the course of 6 days for women with post-partum depression. The investigators further aim to characterize the anticipated anti-depressant effect of this treatment paradigm. Study 2: The investigators are studying the feasibility and tolerability of 12 sessions/day of intermittent theta burse (excitatory) transcranial magnetic stimulation to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex over 5 days for women with post-partum depression. The investigators aim to compare the two different treatment schedules. Type: Interventional Start Date: Jan 2018 |
Study of ITI-1284 as Monotherapy Treatment in Patients With Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess the
efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ITI-1284 as monotherapy treatment in patients
meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text
Revision (DSM-5-TR) criteria for GAD in pati1 expand
This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ITI-1284 as monotherapy treatment in patients meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) criteria for GAD in patients who have had inadequate response to generalized anxiety disorder treatment. Type: Interventional Start Date: Nov 2024 |
Digital InteGrated Behavioral TreatmeNt for Comorbid ObesITy and DeprEssion Among Racial and Ethnic1
University of Illinois at Chicago
Obesity
Depression
The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to test the efficacy of a fully digital
intervention, combining the Lumen problem-solving therapy virtual coach for depression
management with the Diabetes Prevention Program video-based program for weight loss,
among racial and ethnic minorities with c1 expand
The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to test the efficacy of a fully digital intervention, combining the Lumen problem-solving therapy virtual coach for depression management with the Diabetes Prevention Program video-based program for weight loss, among racial and ethnic minorities with comorbid depression and obesity. The study aims include: - Determine the efficacy of the vCare intervention at 6 months. Primary outcomes are weight and depression symptom checklist 20-item (SCL-20) score. - Identify predictors of treatment success, defined by achieving clinically significant weight loss (5%) and depression outcomes (50% decline or SCL-20<0.5), at 6 and 12 months. - Characterize participant experiences and perceptions of the vCare intervention. Eligible participants will be randomized to the early-intervention arm who will receive active treatment for 6 months, followed by maintenance for another 6 months, or the later-intervention arm who will be waitlisted for 6 months and then receive active treatment in the second 6 months. Type: Interventional Start Date: Jan 2025 |
PTSD Screening in Pregnant Black Women
Emory University
Pregnancy Early
PTSD
This study will compare the effectiveness of two active screening interventions in
improving post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, maternal perinatal care
utilization, satisfaction utilization of mental healthcare services, and maternal health
and birth-related outcomes for Black pregnant1 expand
This study will compare the effectiveness of two active screening interventions in improving post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, maternal perinatal care utilization, satisfaction utilization of mental healthcare services, and maternal health and birth-related outcomes for Black pregnant women. Type: Interventional Start Date: Feb 2025 |
The Effect of Outpatient Ketamine Infusion on Chronic Neuropathic Pain and PTSD
Margaux M. Salas, PhD
Neuropathic Pain
PTSD
This study is aimed to evaluate outpatient ketamine infusion within a military chronic
neuropathic pain population and its effect on PTSD. Currently, this is a pilot study with
30 participants. Participants will be randomized to (1) a moderate dose ketamine, (2)
moderate dose ketamine +Mg, or (3) a1 expand
This study is aimed to evaluate outpatient ketamine infusion within a military chronic neuropathic pain population and its effect on PTSD. Currently, this is a pilot study with 30 participants. Participants will be randomized to (1) a moderate dose ketamine, (2) moderate dose ketamine +Mg, or (3) a magnesium control group. Participants will complete self-reported pain and PTSD questionnaires throughout the ~24-week study period. The outlined strategy will provide evidence for the utility of ketamine in neuropathic pain management and pain associated comorbidities within a military population. Type: Interventional Start Date: Oct 2024 |
Apimostinel + Automated Neurocognitive Training for Depression
Rebecca Price
Depression
Apimostinel shows initial promise as a novel rapid-acting antidepressant medication with
minimal side effects or safety concerns. Cognitive Training (CT) is a digital
intervention that has shown promise in extending the durability of another similar drug
(ketamine). This randomized controlled trial1 expand
Apimostinel shows initial promise as a novel rapid-acting antidepressant medication with minimal side effects or safety concerns. Cognitive Training (CT) is a digital intervention that has shown promise in extending the durability of another similar drug (ketamine). This randomized controlled trial will test the efficacy and safety of apimostinel (vs. placebo) for the acute treatment of depression, and will test the potential of CT to enhance and/or extend the durability of apimostinel's antidepressant effect. Type: Interventional Start Date: Oct 2024 |
Feasibility & Acceptability of App-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Postpartum Depression Pre1
Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Anxiety
Stress
Postpartum depression (PPD) affects up 10-15% of mothers overall, but the rate of PPD can
be as high as 25% among mothers with personal or obstetric risk factors. The Mothers &
Babies Program (MB) is a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based program that has been
shown to prevent PPD among high-ri1 expand
Postpartum depression (PPD) affects up 10-15% of mothers overall, but the rate of PPD can be as high as 25% among mothers with personal or obstetric risk factors. The Mothers & Babies Program (MB) is a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based program that has been shown to prevent PPD among high-risk mothers without a prior history of depression. MB has been so consistently effective that the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends this program be given to high-risk pregnant patients. Originally designed to be given in-person and via groups, MB has been adapted to be given in person one-on-one in clinic or at home and via text message. However, MB has yet to be adapted to a smartphone application (app). Via evidence-based qualitative research and end-user centered design, MB has been adapted to a novel app, M.Bapp. This study aims to examine the feasibility and acceptability of M.Bapp as a study intervention for perinatal patients as well as provide preliminary estimates of effect for the intervention. Type: Interventional Start Date: Jun 2024 |
A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of NBI-1070770 in Adults With Major Depressive Disorder
Neurocrine Biosciences
Major Depressive Disorder
To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of NBI-1070770 compared to placebo on
improving symptoms of depression in participants with major depressive disorder (MDD). expand
To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of NBI-1070770 compared to placebo on improving symptoms of depression in participants with major depressive disorder (MDD). Type: Interventional Start Date: Mar 2024 |
Virtual Patient Navigation During a Pandemic
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Post-partum Depression
The sub-study will involve a rigorous mixed-methods design. The qualitative phase of the
sub-study will consist of semi-structured interviews. During the semi-structured
interviews, 10 eligible women will be recruited to identify barriers and facilitators to
accessing virtual mental health services1 expand
The sub-study will involve a rigorous mixed-methods design. The qualitative phase of the sub-study will consist of semi-structured interviews. During the semi-structured interviews, 10 eligible women will be recruited to identify barriers and facilitators to accessing virtual mental health services. This information will be used to adapt an evidence-based patient navigation intervention for virtual use. For the intervention phase of the sub-study, 30 women with persistent postpartum depression symptoms will be recruited to participate in the adapted virtual navigator program using rapid cycle testing over a 2-month period. Type: Interventional Start Date: Jun 2023 |
Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy in Patients With Advanced Cancer on Maintenance Therapy
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Depression, Anxiety
Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy
Advanced Cancer
To learn about the feasibility, safety, and effects of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy
on depression and/or anxiety in participants who are being treated for advanced cancer. expand
To learn about the feasibility, safety, and effects of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy on depression and/or anxiety in participants who are being treated for advanced cancer. Type: Interventional Start Date: Apr 2024 |
Alpha-Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-4- Isoxazole Propionic Acid Receptor Components of the Anti-Depressa1
Yale University
Depressive Disorder, Major
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
The proposed study will assess the combined effect of perampanel and ketamine on the
anti-depressant response in individuals with treatment resistant depression. The purpose
of this study is to test the hypothesis that stimulation of
Alpha-Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-4- Isoxazole Propionic Acid recept1 expand
The proposed study will assess the combined effect of perampanel and ketamine on the anti-depressant response in individuals with treatment resistant depression. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that stimulation of Alpha-Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-4- Isoxazole Propionic Acid receptors (AMPAR) is critical to the anti-depressant response of ketamine. Type: Interventional Start Date: Sep 2023 |
Intracranial Investigation of Neural Circuity Underlying Human Mood
Baylor College of Medicine
Depression
Epilepsy
Depression is one of the most common disorders of mental health, affecting 7-8% of the
population and causing tremendous disability to afflicted individuals and economic burden
to society. In order to optimize existing treatments and develop improved ones, the
investigators need a deeper understand1 expand
Depression is one of the most common disorders of mental health, affecting 7-8% of the population and causing tremendous disability to afflicted individuals and economic burden to society. In order to optimize existing treatments and develop improved ones, the investigators need a deeper understanding of the mechanistic basis of this complex disorder. Previous work in this area has made important progress but has two main limitations. (1) Most studies have used non-invasive and therefore imprecise measures of brain activity. (2) Black box modeling used to link neural activity to behavior remain difficult to interpret, and although sometimes successful in describing activity within certain contexts, may not generalize to new situations, provide mechanistic insight, or efficiently guide therapeutic interventions. To overcome these challenges, the investigators combine precise intracranial neural recordings in humans with a suite of new eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) approaches. The investigators have assembled a team of experimentalists and computational experts with combined experience sufficient for this task. Our unique dataset comprises two groups of subjects: the Epilepsy Cohort consists of patients with refractory epilepsy undergoing intracranial seizure monitoring, and the Depression Cohort consists of subjects in an NIH/BRAIN-funded research trial of deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). As a whole, this dataset provides precise, spatiotemporally resolved human intracranial recording and stimulation data across a wide dynamic range of depression severity. Our Aims apply a progressive approach to modeling and manipulating brain-behavior relationships. Aim 1 seeks to identify features of neural activity associated with mood states. Beginning with current state-of-the-art AI models and then uses a "ladder" approach to bridge to models of increasing expressiveness while imposing mechanistically explainable structure. Whereas Aim 1 focuses on self-reported mood level as the behavioral index of interest, Aim 2 uses an alternative approach of focusing on measurable neurobiological features inspired by the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC). These features, such as reward sensitivity, loss aversion, executive attention, etc. are extracted from behavioral task performance using a novel "inverse rational control" XAI approach. Relating these measures to neural activity patterns provides additional mechanistic and normative understanding of the neurobiology of depression. Aim 3 uses recurrent neural networks to model the consequences of richly varied patterns of multi-site intracranial stimulation on neural activity. Then employing an innovative "inception loop" XAI approach to derive stimulation strategies for open- and closed-loop control that can drive the neural system towards a desired, healthier state. If successful, this project would enhance our understanding of the pathophysiology of depression and improve neuromodulatory treatment strategies. This can also be applied to a host of other neurological and psychiatric disorders, taking an important step towards XAI-guided precision neuroscience. Type: Interventional Start Date: Jul 2023 |
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