Dopaminergic Dysfunction in Late-Life Depression (D3)
Late Life Depression, Cognitive Decline, Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Late Life Depression focused on measuring Antiparkinson agent, Levodopa, Elderly, Depressive Disorder, major
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age ≥ 60 years
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 (DSM5) diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, or Depression Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)
- MADRS (116) score ≥ 15
- Decreased processing speed (1 standard deviation below age-adjusted norms on the Digit Symbol test) or decreased gait speed (average walking speed on 15' course < 1m/s)
- Capable of providing informed consent and adhering to study procedures
Exclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of substance abuse or dependence (excluding Tobacco Use Disorder) in the past 12 months
- Other Axis I psychiatric disorders including a history of psychosis, psychotic disorder, mania, or bipolar, except for simple phobia or anxiety disorders present during the depressive episode (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or panic disorder symptoms)
- Primary neurological disorder, including dementia, stroke, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, etc
- Mini-Mental State Exam score (117) < 24
- MADRS suicide item > 4 or other indication of acute suicidality
- Current or recent (within the past 2 weeks) treatment with antidepressants, antipsychotics, or mood stabilizers
- History of hypersensitivity, allergy, or intolerance to L-DOPA;
- Any physical or intellectual disability adversely affecting ability to complete assessments
- Unstable medical illness
- Mobility limiting osteoarthritis of any lower extremity joints, symptomatic lumbar spine disease, or history of joint replacement / spine surgery that limits mobility
- Contraindication to MRI
- History of significant radioactivity exposure (nuclear medicine studies or occupational exposure).
Sites / Locations
- Vanderbilt Psychiatric HospitalRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Placebo Comparator
L-Dopa First / Placebo Second
Placebo First / L-Dopa Second
STEP 1(3 weeks): Participants initially assigned to L-DOPA will begin with a Week 1 L-DOPA daily dosage of 150mg, (1.5 25mg carbidopa/100mg levodopa tablets) at 9am. Week 2 will increase to a L-DOPA daily dose of 300mg (1.5 25mg carbidopa/100mg levodopa tablets) at 9am and 5pm, followed by a Week 3 L-DOPA daily dose of 450mg (1.5 25mg carbidopa/100mg levodopa tablets) three times daily. After completing post-trial assessments, participants then enter a 1 week taper period before proceeding to Step 2. Step 2 (3 Weeks): Participants will receive matching placebo tablets daily. Participants take placebo tablets once daily during week 1 (9am), twice daily during week 2 (9am, 5pm), and three times daily during week 3 (9am, 1pm, 5pm) over three weeks. Following post-trial assessments, participants then enter a 1-week taper period and study drug is withdrawn.
Step 1 (3 Weeks): Participants will receive matching placebo tablets daily. Participants take placebo tablets once daily during week 1 (9am), twice daily during week 2 (9am, 5pm), and three times daily during week 3 (9am, 1pm, 5pm) over three weeks. Following post-trial assessments, participants then enter a 1-week taper period before proceeding to Step 2. Step 2 (3 Weeks): Participants will begin with a Week 1 L-DOPA daily dosage of 150mg, (1.5 25mg carbidopa/100mg levodopa tablets) at 9am. Week 2 will increase to a L-DOPA daily dose of 300mg (1.5 25mg carbidopa/100mg levodopa tablets) at 9am and 5pm, followed by a Week 3 L-DOPA daily dose of 450mg (1.5 25mg carbidopa/100mg levodopa tablets) three times daily. After completing post-trial assessments, participants then enter a 1 week taper period and study drug will be discontinued.