
The Efficacy and Safety of Escitalopram for Depression in Multiple Sclerosis
DepressionMultiple SclerosisEmotionally labile, depressed participants with multiple sclerosis treated with escitalopram will have a greater reduction in emotional lability scores and in their psychological distress scores than those who are randomized to receive placebo.

Treatment of Depression in Youth With Bipolar Disorders
Bipolar DisorderDepressionTHIS STUDY HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. The study is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of fluoxetine for treating children and adolescents with Bipolar Disorder who are experiencing an episode of major depression while being treated with a mood stabilizer. The study involves a 2-week assessment period. Patients who are on stable, therapeutic doses of lithium or valproate and continue to have depression will be randomized to a 12-week treatment of fluoxetine or placebo. Those who respond favorably to treatment will be followed openly for an 18-week continuation phase.

Investigate the Clinical Responses of Ethosuximide in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression....
Depressive DisorderTreatment-ResistantThis study evaluates the efficacy and safety of ethosuximide in the treatment of refractory depressive disorder in adults. Half of participants will receive ethosuximide and escitalopram in combination, while the other half will receive a placebo and escitalopram.

L-DOPA vs. Placebo for Depression and Psychomotor Slowing in Older Adults
Major Depressive DisorderDysthymia1 moreIndividuals with Late Life Depression (LLD) often have cognitive problems, particularly problems with memory, attention, and problem solving, all of which contribute to antidepressant non-response. Our group and others have shown that decreased thinking speed is the central cause of functional problems in patients with LLD. Similarly, decreased walking speed is associated with depression and carries additional risk for falls, hospitalization, and death. Available evidence suggests that declining functionality in the brain's dopamine system contributes to age-related cognitive and motor slowing. The central hypothesis of this study is that by enhancing dopamine functioning in the brain and improving cognitive and motor slowing, administration of carbidopa/levodopa (L-DOPA) will improve depressive symptoms in older adults.

A Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of SAGE-217 Compared to Placebo in Adult...
Major Depressive DisorderInsomniaThis study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of SAGE-217 compared to placebo in adult participants with comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD) and insomnia.

DBS of the Habenula for Treatment- Resistant Major Depression
Treatment Resistant Major Depression DisorderThe habenula(Hb) is an epithalamic structure located at the center of the dorsal diencephalic conduction system, a pathway involved in linking forebrain to midbrain regions. An increasing number of studies indicates that overactivity in the lateral habeluna(LHb) is present during depressed states, where it could drive the changes in midbrain activity linked to depression. Deep brain stimulation(DBS) of the major afferent bundle (i.e., stria medullaris thalami) of the LHb can treat treatment-resistant major depression(TRD). There is no clinical case of directly stimulating habeluna for treatment TRD. This research will investigate effectiveness and safety of bilateral DBS to habenula for patients with TRD. This study will also use structural and functional MRI to explore the underlying mechanism of Hb's effects on TRD.

Long Term Follow-up of Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Treatment Resistant DepressionDepressive Disorder3 moreThe long term follow up of a pilot study in which the invesitagors proposed to test whether high frequency stimulation of the subcallosal cingulate (SCC) is a safe and efficacious antidepressant treatment in five TRD patients, to compare the effects of left-sided vs. right-sided stimulation, and to investigate potential mechanisms of action of this intervention. Importantly, this study will be used to assess the need for and assist in planning a larger, more definitive trial of SCC DBS for TRD.

A Randomized Control Trial Treating Depression With Yoga and Coherent Breathing Versus Walking in...
Depressive DisorderMajor1 moreThe proposed study addresses a gap regarding the need for effective Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) treatments and the 40% of individuals treated with antidepressant medications that do not achieve full remission. This study tests a novel approach for treating MDD in a Randomized Control Trial (RTC) using yoga versus walking interventions to correct an imbalance in the Autonomic Nervous System; an over active Sympathetic Nervous System (fight or flight) an underactive Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) (rest, renewal and social engagement) and associated under activity in the neurotransmitter, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). This novel approach is complimentary to the use of antidepressant medications that primarily target the monoamine systems. Low activity in the PNS and GABA systems are also found in MDD, PTSD, and Alcohol Use Disorder, disorders representing a high healthcare burden in the Veteran population. This intervention has potential to provide relief for MDD and other disorders relevant the Veteran population

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Depression
Major Depressive DisorderThe prevalence of psychiatric disorders such as major depression disorder (MDD) is increasing rapidly. Despite advancements in the development of therapeutics, current treatment options have not reached optimal efficacy. Recent interest has been drawn towards the importance of the biochemical signalling between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system also known as the "microbiome-gut-brain axis". The pathogenesis of gut microbiota in extra intestinal diseases was inspired by massive studies in germ free (GF) animals, which indicated that the gut microbiota plays a role in the normal regulation of behaviour that are relevant to mood, anxiety and stress. However, the exact mechanisms by which intestinal dysbiosis are involved in the development of psychiatric diseases are not completely clarified. A new method to alter the composition of the gastrointestinal microbiota involves fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). The goal of FMT is to introduce or restore a stable microbial community in the gut by transplanting intestinal microbiota from a healthy donor to the patient. FMT, as a microbiota-target therapy, is arguably very effective for curing recurrent Clostridium difficile infection and has good outcomes in other intestinal diseases. At the same time, applications in previously unexpected areas, including metabolic diseases, neuropsychiatric disorders, autoimmune diseases, allergic disorders, and tumors have shown health enhancing results. FMT has initially been conducted using colonoscopy. However, recent evidence has shown that treatment with frozen FMT capsules (to be taken orally) is also safe and beneficial in restoring the gut microbiota in patients with various diseases As FMT capsules may be an effective, pragmatical adjuvant therapy (in addition to standard treatment) for depression, this project is aimed at (1) investigating for the first time if single administration of FMT capsules ameliorates depressive symptoms in patients with moderate to severe MDD 4 weeks after treatment and (2) establishing the safety profile of encapsulated FMT in MDD. Furthermore, we will also test if (3) FMT capsules modulates immune signalling and inflammatory processes, (4) Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis responses, (5) neurogenesis, (6) energy balance hormones, (7) gut microbiota composition and (8) brain perfusion, structure and activation.

A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of TS-121 as an Adjunctive Treatment for Major Depressive...
Major Depressive DisorderThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of TS-121 as an adjunctive treatment for patients with major depressive disorder with an inadequate response to current antidepressant Treatment (SSRI, SNRI or bupropion).