Active clinical trials for "Depressive Disorder, Major"

The purpose of this study is to review the long-term comparative efficacy of venlafaxine ER in achieving and sustaining remission (wellness) in patients with recurrent major depression

A clinical study to determine the efficacy and safety of MK0869 in the treatment of depression

A clinical study to determine the efficacy and safety of MK0869 in the treatment of depression.

Depression is a debilitating illness affecting large numbers of young people. In this study, children and adolescents ages 10 to 17 meeting criteria for clinical depression will participate in a 15-session group therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT) that teaches strategies for overcoming depressed mood. For half the participants, their parents will also participate in a parent group. By studying the role of parental involvement, we hope to develop more effective treatments for depressed children and teens in the future.

Depression affects approximately 2.5% of children and 8% of adolescents. Escitalopram is the S-enantiomer of citalopram. Both escitalopram and citalopram are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and are used to treat depression in adults. This study is designed to provide a systematic evaluation of the safety and efficacy of escitalopram in the treatment of depressed pediatric patients, 12 to 17 years of age. Patients completing the study will be eligible to enter an open-label extension study.

Corlux (mifepristone) is a new medication that modulates the body's use of a hormone called cortisol. Under normal conditions, cortisol and other hormones are created by the body in response to physical and emotional stress, triggering a healthy stress response. People who suffer from psychotic major depression may have unusually high levels of cortisol circulating within them or abnormal patterns of cortisol levels, overloading the stress response mechanism and causing symptoms of psychosis such as delusional thoughts or hallucinations. If Corlux can keep the body's cortisol receptors from being overloaded, the stress response system may return to normal function, which may result in improvement of symptoms. The purpose of this 56 day study is to learn the safety and effectiveness of Corlux in patients who have been diagnosed with psychotic major depression (PMD).

A study in patients with depression

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of the drug memantine for treating major depression. Major depression is a serious public health concern that contributes to significant morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability of a wide range of antidepressant drugs, a proportion of patients with major depression fail to respond to first-line antidepressant treatment, despite adequate dosage, duration, and compliance. Recent studies suggest that the glutamatergic system may play a role in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression. Memantine and other agents which reduce glutamatergic neurotransmission may represent a novel class of antidepressants. The study consists of three phases. In Phase 1, participants will be tapered off all psychiatric medications over a 2-week washout period. In Phase 2, participants will be randomly assigned to receive either memantine or placebo (an inactive pill) three times a day for 8 weeks. Participants who do not respond to the treatment after 8 weeks will be taken off the study and offered standard treatment. Weekly psychiatric evaluations will evaluate treatment response. During Phase 2, participants who respond well to treatment will enter Phase 3, a 16-week continuation phase of either memantine or placebo. Interviews will be conducted every other week in the first month , then monthly thereafter. Participants will have a physical examination, neuropsychological tests, and eye blink tests at baseline and at the end of the study. Pulse, blood pressure, and blood samples will be taken throughout the study. Participants will undergo an electrocardiogram as well as positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain.

A clinical study to determine the efficacy and safety of MK0869 in the treatment of depression

The purposes of this study are to determine: Whether olanzapine plus fluoxetine in combination will help patients with treatment-resistant major depression. The safety of olanzapine plus fluoxetine in combination, plus and any side effects that might be associated with the combination. The effectiveness of olanzapine plus fluoxetine compared to olanzapine and fluoxetine alone.