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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Phase IIa Trial of a Selective Glucocorticoid Receptor Antagonist in the Treatment of Veterans With Posttraumatic...
VA Office of Research and Development
PTSD
The purpose of this study is to test the drug CORT108297, which blocks the hormone
cortisol, for treatment of PTSD in Veterans, and establish a safety profile that will
inform the design of future studies. expand
The purpose of this study is to test the drug CORT108297, which blocks the hormone cortisol, for treatment of PTSD in Veterans, and establish a safety profile that will inform the design of future studies. Type: Interventional Start Date: Oct 2022 |
Cognitive Behavioral Intervention to Reduce Procedural Anxiety Among Woman With High Risk Pregnancies...
University of Colorado, Denver
Procedural Anxiety
High Risk Pregnancy
Fetal Complications
The goals of this study are to determine the feasibility and efficacy of a brief,
single-session cognitive-behavioral intervention for reducing preoperative and
postoperative anxiety and for determining satisfaction with the delivery process in
pregnant women scheduled for Cesarean delivery due to... expand
The goals of this study are to determine the feasibility and efficacy of a brief, single-session cognitive-behavioral intervention for reducing preoperative and postoperative anxiety and for determining satisfaction with the delivery process in pregnant women scheduled for Cesarean delivery due to complications with their pregnancy. This will be done through a combination of psychoeducation and exposure therapy, where the participants will be walked through the steps of a Cesarean delivery in an operating room that mimics where the patient would actually be delivering. Follow-up will occur during the immediate and extended postpartum periods to determine satisfaction and levels of anxiety. Type: Interventional Start Date: Jul 2020 |
Safety and Tolerability Trial of Lumateperone in Pediatric Patients With Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder
Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc.
Schizophrenia
Bipolar Disorder
This is a multicenter, global, 26-week, open-label study to assess the safety and
tolerability of lumateperone in pediatric patients with schizophrenia or bipolar
disorder. expand
This is a multicenter, global, 26-week, open-label study to assess the safety and tolerability of lumateperone in pediatric patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Type: Interventional Start Date: Jan 2024 |
The Rapid Diagnosis of MCI and Depression in Patients Ages 60 and Over
Miro Health
Depression
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) leading to Alzheimer's disease and related disorders
(ADRD) represents a significant health and economic burden of the rapidly expanding
senior population. The accurate detection and diagnosis of MCI and its common
comorbidity, late-life depression (LLD), is essential... expand
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) leading to Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD) represents a significant health and economic burden of the rapidly expanding senior population. The accurate detection and diagnosis of MCI and its common comorbidity, late-life depression (LLD), is essential for prolonging patient quality of life and developing advancements in research and treatment options. The purpose of the proposed program is to refine Miro Health's A.I. to accurately detect, differentiate and diagnose MCI and LLD. Type: Observational Start Date: Sep 2023 |
Paired tVNS With ERP in OCD
University of Florida
OCD
In the proposed investigation, the investigator will develop pilot data for the use of
tVNS (transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation) to enhance efficacy of exposure and
response prevention therapy (ERP) to improve treatment success in patients with OCD. This
data will include tolerability information... expand
In the proposed investigation, the investigator will develop pilot data for the use of tVNS (transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation) to enhance efficacy of exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) to improve treatment success in patients with OCD. This data will include tolerability information from therapists and patients with OCD, effect sizes on real world clinical outcomes for the combinatory treatment, and mechanistic data on brain changes associated with treatment. Type: Interventional Start Date: Jun 2022 |
Modulating Anxious Coping
Medical University of South Carolina
Anxiety Disorders
This is a study to find out if a device that temporarily alters brain activity
(repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, rTMS) might be used to change how people
with anxiety or related concerns cope with feared or anxiety-producing situations. The
study is recruiting people who recently started... expand
This is a study to find out if a device that temporarily alters brain activity (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, rTMS) might be used to change how people with anxiety or related concerns cope with feared or anxiety-producing situations. The study is recruiting people who recently started treatment for anxiety or a related concern. The study involves 3 visits to the Medical University of South Carolina. At the first visit, participants do interviews and surveys asking about anxiety and related concerns, and they also do tasks where they see and react to emotional pictures while their brain activation is measured. At the next two visits, participants receive rTMS, which works by rapidly turning a focused magnetic field on and off repeatedly over the head in a way that passes directly through the hair, scalp, and skull and onto the brain and can temporarily increase brain activity under the magnetic field. After rTMS, participants do two tasks where they see and react to emotional situations while wearing sensors on their hand, arms, face, and head. Each visit in this study is expected to last between 2 - 4 hours. This is not a treatment study, but the study is being conducted with the hope that it will help improve treatment in the future. Type: Interventional Start Date: Jun 2021 |
Targeting Attention Orienting to Social Threat to Reduce Social Anxiety in Youth
Florida International University
Social Anxiety Disorder of Childhood
This two-site study is a test of Attention Bias Modification Treatment (ABMT) among 260
youths ages 10 to 14 years with social anxiety disorder. One-half of participants will
receive 8 sessions of computer administered ABMT and the other half of participants will
receive 8 sessions of computer administered... expand
This two-site study is a test of Attention Bias Modification Treatment (ABMT) among 260 youths ages 10 to 14 years with social anxiety disorder. One-half of participants will receive 8 sessions of computer administered ABMT and the other half of participants will receive 8 sessions of computer administered Neutral Control Task (NCT). The investigators hypothesize that a biomarker of attention to social threat measured using electroencephalography (EEG) and ratings of social anxiety severity will be lower in participants who receive ABMT compared to participants who receive NCT. Type: Interventional Start Date: Jul 2019 |
Amplitude Titration to Improve ECT Clinical Outcomes
University of New Mexico
Depression
ECT
Cognitive Change
A randomized controlled trial will compare hippocampal neuroplasticity, antidepressant,
and cognitive outcomes between individualized amplitude and fixed 800 mA amplitude ECT in
older depressed subjects (n = 25 per group, n = 50 total). Relative to fixed 800 mA ECT:
H1: Individualized amplitude... expand
A randomized controlled trial will compare hippocampal neuroplasticity, antidepressant, and cognitive outcomes between individualized amplitude and fixed 800 mA amplitude ECT in older depressed subjects (n = 25 per group, n = 50 total). Relative to fixed 800 mA ECT: H1: Individualized amplitude arm will have improved RUL antidepressant outcome (IDS-C30 response rates and reduced BT electrode placement switch at V2). H2: Individualized amplitude arm will have improved cognitive outcomes (DKEFS-Verbal Fluency Type: Interventional Start Date: Sep 2023 |
One Talk at a Time: A Racial-ethnic Socialization Intervention for Diverse Families
University of North Carolina, Greensboro
Depressive Symptoms
Anxiety Disorders and Symptoms
Behavioral Symptoms
Ethnic-Racial Socialization
This study is a randomized effectiveness trial that tests the online delivery of a
video-based intervention (One Talk at a Time (OTAAT)) relative to a control group over a
one-year span. Hypotheses include: 1.) The OTAAT intervention will increase parental
motivation to engage in racial-ethnic socialization... expand
This study is a randomized effectiveness trial that tests the online delivery of a video-based intervention (One Talk at a Time (OTAAT)) relative to a control group over a one-year span. Hypotheses include: 1.) The OTAAT intervention will increase parental motivation to engage in racial-ethnic socialization (RES) conversations, their skills and confidence in having these conversations, and the frequency and quality of these conservations; 2.) The OTAAT intervention will increase youth reports of their coping with discrimination, perceived efficacy in coping with discrimination in the future, ethnic-racial identity, and youth mental and academic outcomes; 3.) Greater parental discrimination and youth discrimination will moderate links between OTAAT intervention and parental ethnic-racial motivation + competency as well as youth ethnic-racial identity, coping, and psychosocial outcomes. Type: Interventional Start Date: Aug 2022 |
Neural Connectivity During Therapy for Adolescent PTSD
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
PTSD
Adolescent
Psychological Trauma
Posttraumatic stress disorder in adolescence impairs neurobiological networks underlying
cognitive, social and emotional skills. Neuroimaging research that seeks to identify the
neural mechanisms of treatments for PTSD could lead to novel treatments, but progress has
been slow using current methods.... expand
Posttraumatic stress disorder in adolescence impairs neurobiological networks underlying cognitive, social and emotional skills. Neuroimaging research that seeks to identify the neural mechanisms of treatments for PTSD could lead to novel treatments, but progress has been slow using current methods. The proposed study uses an innovative approach to identify neural mechanisms of specific phases of trauma-focused therapy for youth with PTSD, allowing a new understanding of brain changes associated with the process of therapy. Type: Interventional Start Date: Nov 2022 |
WellPATH-PREVENT: A Mobile Intervention for Middle-Aged and Older Adults Hospitalized for Suicidal Ideation...
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Suicide, Attempted
Suicidal Ideation
Depression
The goal of this project is to test whether WellPATH-PREVENT (a novel, mobile
psychosocial intervention) improves a specific aspect of emotion regulation, i.e.,
cognitive reappraisal ability, and reduces suicide risk in middle-aged and older adults
(50-90 years old) who have been discharged after... expand
The goal of this project is to test whether WellPATH-PREVENT (a novel, mobile psychosocial intervention) improves a specific aspect of emotion regulation, i.e., cognitive reappraisal ability, and reduces suicide risk in middle-aged and older adults (50-90 years old) who have been discharged after a suicide-related hospitalization (i.e. for suicidal ideation or suicide attempt). Type: Interventional Start Date: Apr 2022 |
Comparing Virtual Reality (VR) to Non-VR for Decreasing Preoperative/Procedural Anxiety
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Preoperative Anxiety
The primary objective of the study is to utilize the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety
scale (mYPAS), a validated preoperative/procedural anxiety score, to measure preoperative
anxiety via distraction in pediatric oncology patients undergoing port access.
The hypothesis is that using Virtual Reality... expand
The primary objective of the study is to utilize the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety scale (mYPAS), a validated preoperative/procedural anxiety score, to measure preoperative anxiety via distraction in pediatric oncology patients undergoing port access. The hypothesis is that using Virtual Reality (VR) will objectively decrease anxiety scores measured by mYPAS by five percent (primary outcome). The secondary outcome will be the parents or the legally authorized representative (LAR) subjective reports of anxiety with the use of VR. The Kind VR device is used in house at Children's Health in the Dallas and Plano campuses. The VR device used in this study qualifies as exempt from FDA IDE regulations. It is a non-significant risk, non-invasive, interactive video device the user wears like goggles. The study carries minimal risks to the subjects and is designed to minimize patient discomfort from placement or motion sickness. Furthermore, the device has disposable covers for protection against infection and can be sanitized between uses, once the disposable covers are removed. Children's Health System of Texas (CHST) and this research group are not partnering entities with the Kind VR, and the Kind VR device is not being studied. The effect of virtual reality (VR) on preprocedural anxiety as measured by questionnaires and the observations of the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS) is being studied Most patients coming to the Clinic of Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD) are under chronic care for their ongoing disease and are likely to be coming to the CCBD at least twice in a 6-month period. The CCBD schedule will be reviewed by the researchers for patients age 5-12, requiring port access at least twice during the next six-month period. Patient families whose child meets the basic screening criteria, and have no exclusion criteria, will be approached privately as possible participants in the study. Up to 100 subjects will be enrolled over a 2-year period. Once the subject/parent or LAR agrees to participate, study staff will randomize the subjects into which standard of care distraction method for anxiety management they will receive first in this study. Type: Interventional Start Date: Jan 2021 |
Psilocybin Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder With Co-occurring Alcohol Use Disorder
Johns Hopkins University
Major Depressive Disorder
Alcohol Use Disorder
The purpose of this study is to determine whether psilocybin, a hallucinogenic drug, is
effective in reducing depressive symptoms and amount of drinking in patients with
co-occurring Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). expand
The purpose of this study is to determine whether psilocybin, a hallucinogenic drug, is effective in reducing depressive symptoms and amount of drinking in patients with co-occurring Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Type: Interventional Start Date: Apr 2021 |
A Neurosteroid Intervention for Menopausal and Perimenopausal Depression
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Major Depressive Disorder
Menopause
Perimenopause
HYPOTHESIS:
Pregnenolone administration will be associated with greater reduction in depressive
symptom severity than placebo in women with current mMDD.
STUDY AIMS:
Primary Aim: Determine if pregnenolone is associated with greater reduction in depressive
symptom severity than placebo in women... expand
HYPOTHESIS: Pregnenolone administration will be associated with greater reduction in depressive symptom severity than placebo in women with current mMDD. STUDY AIMS: Primary Aim: Determine if pregnenolone is associated with greater reduction in depressive symptom severity than placebo in women with mMDD, as measured by MADRS. Secondary Aims: 1. Determine if pregnenolone is associated with greater reduction in anxiety symptom severity than placebo in women with mMDD. 2. Determine if pregnenolone is associated with greater improvement in cognition than placebo in women with mMDD. 3. Determine if pregnenolone is associated with greater improvement in quality of life than placebo in women with mMDD. 4. Determine if pregnenolone is associated with greater improvement in vasomotor symptoms of menopause than placebo. Mechanistic Aims: 1. Determine whether changes in neurosteroid levels with pregnenolone mediate clinical response. 2. Determine if baseline neurosteroid levels predict pregnenolone response. 3. Determine whether depressive symptoms, anxiety, sleep or vasomotor symptoms improve first. A crossed-lagged panel model will explore serial correlations between changes in outcome measures. Type: Interventional Start Date: Sep 2018 |
Comparing Targets of Expressive Writing
Trustees of Princeton University
Healthy
Anxiety
Depression
Expressive writing involves writing about one's deepest thoughts and feelings surrounding
an emotional event. The current literature on the efficacy of expressive writing is mixed
and warrants further investigation into how, when, and for whom expressive writing is an
effective intervention. The goal... expand
Expressive writing involves writing about one's deepest thoughts and feelings surrounding an emotional event. The current literature on the efficacy of expressive writing is mixed and warrants further investigation into how, when, and for whom expressive writing is an effective intervention. The goal of this study is to compare the efficacy of expressive writing interventions in young adults when people imagine that they're writing to themselves vs. a loved one. Participants will carry out an expressive writing exercise for 14 consecutive days. Participants are randomized into 3 groups: Self, Other, and Control. The Self group is instructed to write as if they were talking to themselves. The Other group is instructed to direct their writing to someone they feel close to. The Control group is asked to write down a factual description of their routine that day, and direct this writing to themselves. We will recruit participants until we have usable data from 53 participants per group (i.e., 159 in total). Type: Interventional Start Date: Nov 2023 |
Processes and Circuitry Underlying Threat Sensitivity as a Treatment Target for Co-morbid Anxiety and...
Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Inc.
Depression, Anxiety
Fear
Depression
Anxiety and Fear
Anxiety Disorders
This mechanistic study uses an anti anxiety drug and brain imaging to study the threat
processing system and associated brain circuits in people with depression, anxiety
disorders and comorbid depression and anxiety disorders. In a double blind, placebo
controlled crossover design, up to 65 individuals... expand
This mechanistic study uses an anti anxiety drug and brain imaging to study the threat processing system and associated brain circuits in people with depression, anxiety disorders and comorbid depression and anxiety disorders. In a double blind, placebo controlled crossover design, up to 65 individuals will be recruited who will have a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) and at least one anxiety disorder (AD) (AD-MDD group), up to 65 participants will have a diagnosis of MDD and no diagnosis of an AD and up to 65 participants will have no diagnosis of MDD and a diagnosis of at least one AD will be enrolled to participate in an two session study to obtain 150 completers (50 per group). All participants will receive a single dose of Lorazepam and placebo (order randomized) taken orally. After the ~2.5 hr screening session, participants will complete two identical ~5 hr experimental sessions, each of which include a 30 min eyeblink startle session and a 1 hr functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan session. The total time involved in the study is approximately 10.5 hours. The main questions the study seeks to answer are: - are people with comorbid depression and anxiety different than those with depression alone in terms of their eyeblink startle response to threat? - are people with comorbid depression and anxiety different than those with depression alone in terms of their brain activation in response to threat? - are people with comorbid depression and anxiety different than those with depression alone in terms of their responses to anxiety drugs? Type: Interventional Start Date: Nov 2023 |
Feasibility of Remote Tai Chi
Boston University
PTSD
Pain, Chronic
In the proposed trial, the investigators plan to refine interventions, then conduct a
small randomized trial to provide critical information to inform a future large-scale
randomized efficacy trial of Tai Chi for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and
chronic pain. Building on the combined experience... expand
In the proposed trial, the investigators plan to refine interventions, then conduct a small randomized trial to provide critical information to inform a future large-scale randomized efficacy trial of Tai Chi for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain. Building on the combined experience the proposed study will progress in new directions to: 1. Adapt, refine, and standardize two 12-week treatment protocols (Tai Chi and a Wellness control condition) for Veterans diagnosed with PTSD and chronic musculoskeletal pain during Phase One. Tai Chi and Wellness interventions will be adapted for delivery via a videoconferencing platform for the population and piloted in a 'dry run'. 2. Determine the feasibility and acceptability of a remotely delivered randomized trial of these two interventions and the assessment protocols during Phase Two. 3. Utilize information from this trial to plan and design a large randomized control study evaluating the efficacy of Tai Chi compared to Wellness for improving outcomes for Veterans with PTSD and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Type: Interventional Start Date: Jun 2023 |
Individualized Functional Connectivity Targeting in aiTBS for Depression
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Depressive Disorder, Major
Depression
Mood Disorders
Mental Disorder
Psychiatric Disorder
The goal of this clinical trial is to estimate the importance of neuroimaging in
accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (aiTBS) for depression. Participants
will receive aiTBS treatment, but they will not know if their treatment spot was found
with neuroimaging or head measurements. expand
The goal of this clinical trial is to estimate the importance of neuroimaging in accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (aiTBS) for depression. Participants will receive aiTBS treatment, but they will not know if their treatment spot was found with neuroimaging or head measurements. Type: Interventional Start Date: Jul 2023 |
Mood and Thought Process Study
Butler Hospital
Depression in Remission
Depressive Symptoms
Depression
The primary objective for this project is to test whether affective executive functioning
is a mechanism of action of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and Wellness for
Wellbeing. The main questions it aims to answer are:
1. Test the effect of MBCT vs. Wellness for Wellbeing on affective inhibition... expand
The primary objective for this project is to test whether affective executive functioning is a mechanism of action of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and Wellness for Wellbeing. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Test the effect of MBCT vs. Wellness for Wellbeing on affective inhibition (i.e., emotionally valenced inhibition as measured via the affective Go/No Go task) using an RCT. 2. Test the effect of MBCT vs. Wellness for Wellbeing on (a) affective updating and (b) affective shifting. Outcomes will be measured with the affective n-Back and the affective Internal Switching Task, respectively. 3a) The investigators will examine whether depression symptom severity co-varies with change in affective executive functioning (i.e., affecting inhibition, shifting, and updating) over time. 3b) The investigators will examine whether compliance with treatment protocol (e.g., number of classes attended, amount of home practice) predicts endpoint executive functioning. Participants will complete surveys, interviews, and computer tasks, and will be randomized to either Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy or Wellness for Wellbeing. Type: Interventional Start Date: Apr 2023 |
Yoga for Mental Health in Parkinson's Patients
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Stress
Anxiety
Depression
Parkinson Disease
This study is a waitlisted randomized controlled trial. We aim to assess the level of
compliance for those learning the intervention and to evaluate the impact of the practice
on neuropsychological and somatic outcomes using validated scales. Enrollment into the
study will be ongoing until we are... expand
This study is a waitlisted randomized controlled trial. We aim to assess the level of compliance for those learning the intervention and to evaluate the impact of the practice on neuropsychological and somatic outcomes using validated scales. Enrollment into the study will be ongoing until we are able to get a sufficient sample size as described in the "Statistical Consideration" section. Upon enrollment and randomization, surveys will be administered to both the intervention and control groups at four time-points: baseline, T2, T3, and T4, each of which are 6 weeks apart. Compliance data will be collected weekly for 12 weeks for both groups. Type: Interventional Start Date: Oct 2022 |
Combined Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Therapy for mTBI Related Headaches
Veterans Medical Research Foundation
TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury)
Headache
Depression
This study will assess the combined effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic
stimulation (rTMS) and telehealth based therapy in helping manage mild traumatic brain
injury (mTBI) related headaches. The investigators hypothesize that active rTMS combined
with telehealth therapy will provide... expand
This study will assess the combined effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and telehealth based therapy in helping manage mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) related headaches. The investigators hypothesize that active rTMS combined with telehealth therapy will provide marked reduction in mTBI related headaches and symptoms in comparison to their placebo counterparts. Type: Interventional Start Date: Jan 2022 |
Rapid Acting TMS for Suicide Ideation in Depression
Stanford University
Depressive Disorder, Major
Suicide
This study evaluates the effects of an accelerated schedule of theta-burst stimulation,
termed accelerated intermittent theta-burst stimulation (aiTBS), on the neural networks
underlying explicit and implicit suicidal cognition in inpatients with major depressive
disorder. expand
This study evaluates the effects of an accelerated schedule of theta-burst stimulation, termed accelerated intermittent theta-burst stimulation (aiTBS), on the neural networks underlying explicit and implicit suicidal cognition in inpatients with major depressive disorder. Type: Interventional Start Date: Nov 2021 |
Phase 2 Study of NV-5138 in Adults With Treatment Resistant Depression
Navitor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Treatment Resistant Depression
This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of NV-5138 in adults with TRD expand
This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of NV-5138 in adults with TRD Type: Interventional Start Date: Feb 2022 |
A Dyadic Approach to Perinatal Depression in Primary Care: Maternal Infant and Dyadic Care
University of Washington
Depression, Postpartum
Efficacy, Self
Anxiety
The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a parenting
intervention+usual care compared to usual care on postpartum depression and other mental
health and parenting outcomes, as well as the feasibility and acceptability of the
parenting intervention. expand
The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a parenting intervention+usual care compared to usual care on postpartum depression and other mental health and parenting outcomes, as well as the feasibility and acceptability of the parenting intervention. Type: Interventional Start Date: Nov 2022 |
The Effect of Celecoxib on Neuroinflammation in MDD
Stony Brook University
Major Depressive Disorder
Neuroinflammation
Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide and is
a leading contributor to global disease burden. Commonly used monoamine
reuptake-inhibiting treatments for depression are suboptimal, resulting in only 30% of
patients achieving remission. This may be because... expand
Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide and is a leading contributor to global disease burden. Commonly used monoamine reuptake-inhibiting treatments for depression are suboptimal, resulting in only 30% of patients achieving remission. This may be because monoamine dysfunction is not the primary pathophysiology in all MDD patients. One avenue for the development of novel MDD treatments is through anti-inflammatory drugs; MDD is linked to a pro-inflammatory phenotype characterized by microglial activation, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and upregulation of cellular markers including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and translocator protein (TSPO; a protein located on the outer membrane of microglia). Relevant to this proposal, TSPO can serve as an in vivo marker of neuroinflammation using the newly developed positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for TSPO, [18F]FEPPA. In support of this, a recent [18F]FEPPA PET study found that MDD patients in a current major depressive episode (MDE) had significantly higher TSPO binding in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and insula, relative to healthy controls. The prefrontal cortex and ACC are both implicated in mood regulation whereas the insula is involved in interoceptive signaling, which is known to be abnormal in MDD. Celecoxib, a selective COX-2 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is a promising new treatment for neuroinflammation in MDD. Clinical studies have observed that, in a subset of depressed patients, celecoxib treatment reduced depression severity as assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). While these findings demonstrate that celecoxib reduces symptom severity, PET imaging technology is critical for understanding how celecoxib affects the underlying pathophysiology of depression. Here, the team will investigate neuroinflammation as an underlying pathology in depression and test whether neuroinflammation is reduced by celecoxib in MDD patients. Specifically, in the proposed pilot study, MDD patients in a current MDE will receive [18F]FEPPA PET scans prior to and following 8 weeks of treatment with 400mg/day of celecoxib, with HDRS scores obtained at each time point. The investigators hypothesize that following celecoxib treatment, patients will show a significant reduction in neuroinflammation in the PFC, ACC and insula, which will correlate positively with the reduction in depressive symptoms, as measured by the HDRS. The proposed study will use novel imaging technology, [18F]FEPPA PET, to measure the effects of celecoxib on neuroinflammation in MDD patients. Our results will help to 1) identify neuroinflammation as an underlying pathology in MDD and 2) test whether reduction of inflammation is the mechanism of action of celecoxib. As such, the results of this study will aid in the development of targeted clinical treatments to improve remission rates in MDD patients. Type: Interventional Start Date: Aug 2018 |
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