Active clinical trials for "Depressive Disorder"

The investigators seek to determine whether brain imaging techniques can be used to help detect depression, assess its severity, and/or monitor or predict responses to treatment. Subjects with minor or major depression will be randomly assigned to a wait-list control group or to treatment with a new computer-based cognitive behavior therapy developed by Dr. James Cartriene. Brain imaging will be performed before and during treatment using both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The investigators hypothesize that brain activity, particularly in the lateral frontal areas of the brain, will provide biomarkers for depression, depression severity, and treatment response.

Among antidepressant treatments, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) stands as the most effective in treating acute depression. However, patient concerns with the cognitive side effects of ECT have encouraged the development of new and more focal forms of brain stimulation such as transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). The investigators' current study of tDCS as a treatment for depression suggests that this technique has antidepressant effects and is safe, painless and well tolerated. However, not all patients may respond to this treatment and the concern of possible relapse in some patients who respond to tDCS has raised interest in finding treatments that may enhance and prolong the antidepressant effects of tDCS. This study will investigate whether D-Cycloserine, a medication shown to lengthen the effects of tDCS on brain activity, can also enhance/prolong the antidepressant effects of tDCS in people suffering from depression.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) remains essential to contemporary psychiatric practice and is one of the safest and most effective treatments available for depression. Despite modern advances in pharmacotherapy, about 15-20 per cent of all hospitalised patients receive treatment with ECT. Its use, however, is limited by concerns over associated cognitive side effects. Recent research has suggested that using an ultrabrief pulsewidth with ECT may greatly reduce cognitive side effects, while maintaining efficacy (Sackeim et al 2008). Preliminary results were positive for unilateral ECT, however, suggest that for bilateral ECT, dosing may need to be adjusted to preserve efficacy while reducing side effects. This study will examine the relative cognitive side effects and efficacy of right unilateral and bilateral ECT given with a standard pulsewidth or an ultrabrief pulsewidth. Some participants will also receive an MRI scan before and after ECT.

To evaluate the efficacy of SPD489 when used as augmentation to an antidepressant in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) as measured by mean change in total Montgomery-Ǻsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores.

To evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based strategy of routine population mass screening for depression with follow-up feedback and management in a primary care non-psychiatric setting involving a structured, multifaceted, collaborative (primary care and hospital-based)shared care programme. Hypotheses: We hypothesize that a community-based early psychiatric interventional strategy (CEPIS) for depression in the elderly leads to increased recognition of depression by primary care physicians, more initiation of treatment for emotional problems, and improved outcomes for patients with depression, as measured by: increased rates of detection or recognition by a primary care physician of minor or major (clinical) depression. higher rates of management activities: counselling for psychological, family social problems, contact with community family services (human service agency), consultation and/or referral to a mental health specialist Reduced depressive symptom severity, improved level of daily functioning and quality of life among those with major clinical depression Better patient satisfaction with care Favourable clinician's and patients perception of their usefulness or acceptability

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of saredutant 100mg once daily in combination with escitalopram 10mg once daily compared to saredutant placebo in combination with escitalopram 10mg once daily in patients with major depressive disorder. This study also includes a double-placebo group (saredutant placebo in combination with escitalopram placebo).

To determine if duloxetine works just as well as paroxetine in the treatment of major depressive disorder.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of saredutant in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder in elderly patients.To evaluate the tolerability, safety and efficacy on disability and quality of life in patients with major depressive disorder.To evaluate safety and tolerability of 24 weeks of additional treatment in patients completing the initial 8-week treatment period.

This is a study to assess the safety and effectiveness of LY2216684 compared to placebo in treating adults with major depressive disorder.

This study will assess efficacy, safety and tolerability of agomelatine (AGO178) 25 mg and 50 mg in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). This study includes an 8-week double-blind phase and a 52-week open-label phase.