Major Depressive Disorder Clinical Trials

This is a parallel group, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Participants with MDD (n=90) and HC (n=90) will be randomly assigned (2:1) to receive either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (0.8ng/kg of body weight) or placebo (same volume of 0.9% saline) administered as an intravenous bolus. This will yield the following groups: MDD-LPS (n=60), MDD-Placebo (n=30), HC-LPS (n=60), HC-placebo (n=30). There are three main aims: to identify immune pathways and neural circuits that respond differently to LPS in MDD vs. HC subjects; (2) to test whether the strength of inflammatory changes induced by LPS is associated with degree of change in anhedonic symptoms and neural circuits in the MDD group, and (3) to identify a biotype of MDD that shows a differential immunological and neurophysiological response to LPS. The main outcome variables are symptoms of anhedonia measured with the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS), cytokines (Il-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF), and BOLD signal change in the neural circuitry mediating interoceptive processing, i.e. the insula and cingulate cortex. The exploratory aim is to determine whether the acute inflammatory response to LPS can predict the clinical course of depression over a period of six months. The main outcome of this component of the study is self-reported depressive symptoms assessed with the QIDS-SR. Read Less

This is a Phase 2/3, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial of the Safety and Efficacy of Flexible Doses of SEP-363856 as Adjunctive Therapy in the Treatment of Adults with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Read Less

This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of SPN-820 in Adults With Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Read Less

This study will examine the effects of brain stimulation on pain symptoms associated with Major depressive disorder. This study will enroll 54 Subjects. Study subjects will be asked to complete surveys about their mood and well-being, 2 blood draws, 2 MRIs, 3 electroencephalograms, and receive 30 treatments of blinded transcranial magnetic stimulation. There is no control group as all subjects will receive some form of active treatment. Subjects are required to participate in 30-33 study visits and volunteer 40 hours of their time. Compensation for this study is $150 for completing all study activities. Read Less

This is a three-armed clinical trial examining the effect of 5-hydroxytryptophan and creatine monohydrate as augmenting agents for the treatment of depression. Subjects will be randomized between 5-HTP 100mg BID + creatine 5g daily, 5-HTP 200mg BID + creatine 10g daily, vs double placebo, for 8 weeks. The ability of the interventions to affect biomarkers associated with depression will be assessed using brain phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy, functional connectivity imaging, and plasma serotonin levels. Read Less

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). Read Less

The investigators propose a randomized 3-arm double-blinded parallel experimental trial (20 sessions over 4 weeks) in 75 patients with TRD. The three arms include (1) the combination of a fully Individualized form of intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) (using BOTH the frequency and electric field (E-field) targeting approaches) (Ind-iTBS)), (2) iTBS individualized using E-field targeting only (targeted-iTBS) and (3) Standard iTBS treatment (i.e., typical iTBS localized to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) using the Beam F3 method). Electroencephalography (EEG) data will be collected at rest and during a working memory task, at baseline, and at the end of treatment along with clinical assessments of depression severity. The target engagement dependent variable of interest in these three arms will be fronto-parietal theta connectivity measured through resting-state EEG. The investigators hypothesize that stimulation with Ind-iTBS will lead to greater changes in fronto-parietal theta connectivity than that produced with targeted-TBS and standard iTBS. Aim: To evaluate the effects of two individualized forms of iTBS (i.e., using BOTH the frequency and E-field individualization; Ind-iTBS) compared to iTBS individualized for E-field targeting only (targeted-iTBS) and standard iTBS on fronto-parietal theta connectivity. Hypotheses: (1) Ind-iTBS will lead to greater changes in fronto-parietal theta connectivity compared to both targeted-iTBS and standard iTBS. (2) Ind-iTBS will also lead to a greater reduction in depressive symptoms (as defined by the mean reduction in Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale Scores (MADRS)) compared to both targeted-iTBS and standard iTBS. Read Less

Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a treatment for depression. It stimulates the brain. Researchers want to see if using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans helps locate the best area for rTMS in each person. They also want to find other ways to make it more effective. Objective: To study the effects of combining MRI- guided transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and talk therapy on the brain in people with depression. Eligibility: Adults ages 18-75 with a major depressive disorder and current depression. If taking an antidepressant, should have been doing so for at least 4 weeks. Design: Participants will be screened with medical and psychiatric history, psychiatric evaluation, physical exam, and blood and urine tests. Phase 1 is 1-4 visits in 1 week. Participants will have: Brain MRI. Participants will lie on a table in a scanner. Questions about their medical history and psychology symptoms Tests of mood and thinking Tests of brain activity. Participants may do tasks during these tests: A cone with magnetic detectors is put on the head. A cap with electrodes is put on the scalp. TMS. A brief electrical current passes through a wire coil on the scalp. A metal disk will be placed on the arm. A nerve will be stimulated with a small electrical shock. Phase 2 is about 6 to 7 weeks. There will be 30 daily sessions of combined therapy and repetitive TMS (rTMS) for 6 weeks. Participants will receive rTMS and another therapy by computer. For rTMS, repeated pulses will pass through the coil. This is followed by up to 3 additional visits, when: Participants will repeat Phase 1 tests Participants will rate their depression symptoms. Phase 3 is 3 visits over 3 months. Participants will rate their depression symptoms and repeat some of the previous questionnaires and tests of mood and thinking. Read Less

The primary purpose of this study is to determine whether empagliflozin, a medication in a class known as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2) inhibitors, may reduce symptoms of depression. Since this medication helps the body make metabolites known as ketone bodies which can serve as an alternate energy source for the brain, the investigators can also test whether ketone bodies help with depressed mood. Read Less

Background: Nicotine dependence leads to about 480,000 deaths every year in the United States. People with major depressive disorder (MDD) are twice as likely to use nicotine compared to the general population. They have greater withdrawal symptoms and are more likely to relapse after quitting compared with smokers without MDD. More research is needed on how nicotine affects brain function in those with MDD. Objective: To understand how nicotine affects symptoms of depression and related brain function. Eligibility: People aged 18 to 60 years with and without MDD who do not smoke cigarettes or use other nicotine products. Design: Participants will have 2 or 3 study visits over 1 to 3 months. Participants will have 2 MRI scans at least 1 week apart. Each scan visit will last 5 to 7 hours. At each scan, they will have urine and breath tests to screen for recent use of alcohol, nicotine, and illegal drugs. Before each scan, they will take 1 of 2 medications: nicotine or placebo. Participants will receive each medication once. They will not know which medication they are receiving at each scan. For each MRI scan, they will lie on a table that slides into a cylinder. Sometimes they will be asked to lie still. Sometimes they will complete tasks on a computer. Tasks may include identifying colors or playing games to win money. Each scan will take about 2 hours. Participants will answer questions about their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors before and after each scan. They will have a blood test after each scan. Read Less

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common, chronic mental illness. It can take weeks to months for antidepressants to work. Researchers want to test a new drug that might act more rapidly. Objective: To see if TS-161 will improve symptoms of depression in people with MDD. Eligibility: Adults ages 18-65 with MDD without psychotic features. Design: Participants will be screened under a separate protocol. They will have blood tests. They will complete surveys about their symptoms. Participants will have an inpatient visit at NIH. Participation may last 12-16 weeks. During the first phase of the study, participants will be tapered off their psychiatric medicines. For 2 weeks they will have a drug-free period. During Phase II participants will take TS-161 or placebo. They will take TS-161 for 3 weeks and placebo for 3 weeks. In between the 3-week time period, they will have 2-3 weeks where they will be drug free. Participants will also have the following tests during this time: Interviews Physical exams Psychological tests and surveys about their symptoms Blood draws and urine samples They may complete tests of mood and thinking MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging): Participants will lie in a machine that takes pictures of their brain. Functional MRIs: They will perform tasks displayed on a computer screen inside the MRI scanner MEG (magnetoencephalography): Participants will lie down and do tasks of memory, attention, and thinking. A cone lowered on their head will record brain activity. Electrocardiograms to record the heart s electrical activity. Electrodes will be placed on the skin.... Read Less

Co-occurring post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common response to trauma; it is associated with poor clinical outcomes and substantial human disability. Veterans with both PTSD and MDD (PTSD+MDD) have been shown to be at much greater suicidal risk than individuals with only one of these disorders. Ketamine given as repeated infusions has been shown to be effective in rapidly reducing PTSD and MDD symptoms in treatment resistant PTSD+MDD individuals. However, knowledge about the mechanisms underlying comorbid PTSD and MDD remain limited. The purpose of this study is to use repeated ketamine infusions as a probe to validate a model of PTSD+MDD that focuses on neuroanatomy and executive functioning. Read Less