Gut Microbiome and Depression
Multiple SclerosisDepressionThe purpose of this project is to determine if specific gut microbiome or gut-derived metabolites are associated with depression in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS). Mechanistically, the investigators further hypothesize that depression in pwMS is related to decreased abundance of gut bacteria with GABA-producing activities and/or with anti-inflammatory properties. To determine if the presence of depression in pwMS is associated with specific gut microbiome, gut-derived metabolites or peripheral blood immune profiles. The investigators will perform a cross-sectional study in clinically stable pwMS recruited at the John L. Trotter MS Center. The investigators will evaluate the presence of depression using the Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (Neuro-Qol) depression scale, one of the 13 scales in the Neuro-Qol recently developed by the NIH using modern psychometric techniques and validated in pwMS. A total of 120 pwMS will be recruited: 60 with and 60 without depression based on the Neuro-Qol depression scale. At the study visit each participant will be asked to provide a stool sample for microbiome analyses and a blood sample for peripheral blood immunophenotyping. Potential confounders will be collected and treated as covariates in the analyses. These include: 1) degree of disability (EDSS); 2) treatment with anti-depressants and DMTs; 3) a 4-days food diary to evaluate diet composition; 4) weight and height to calculate the BMI; 5) fatigue; 6) level of physical activity; 7) sleep quality.
Improving Health Care in Major Depressive Disorder
Major Depressive DisorderThis project aims to improve the health care provided to people with major depressive disorder (MDD), a disease which is a top cause of disability worldwide. One of the main obstacles to a more effective health care in these patients is represented by clinical heterogeneity, which has not completely elucidated biological correlates. Using a large sample of people with MDD already recruited (n=29,400), the investigators develop a clustering algorithm based on genetic-environmental and brain imaging predictors aimed at identifying homogeneous MDD subgroups. The researchers will then link these subgroups with relevant health outcomes, such as disease recurrency and severity, well-being and functioning, risk of psychiatric and medical comorbidities (e.g. cardiovascular disorders). Replication in independent samples already recruited(n=1380) will prove the validity of the subgroups and expand their clinical characterization. The investigators will develop a classification tool to link the individual's characteristics to the relevant health outcomes and provide corresponding clinical recommendations. The prognostic support tool will be applied to newly recruited samples, feasibility and usefulness according to clinicians's opinion will be assessed (n=120, ongoing recruitment).
OcupApp: Occupational Self-analysis Intervention Through an Mobile Application
Anxiety DisorderDepressive Disorder2 moreThe goal of this clinical trial is to test the effectiveness of the use of mobile application ("OcupApp") to generate a personal self-analysis about meaningful activities in which adults between the ages of 50 and 70 with anxiety and subclinical depression participant. A randomized study will be carried out comparing the effects of the use of the application "OcupApp" with a control intervention on the quality of life related to health, mental health, frequency of participation on meaningful activities, and perceived occupational balance.
pBFS-Guided rTMS Therapy Over Different Targets for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Major Depressive DisorderTreatment Resistant Depression1 moreTo explore the effectiveness and safety of rTMS intervention with different targets in the left prefrontal cortex defined using the pBFS method, in adult patients with moderate and severe depressive disorder. Second, investigate the neural circuit that responds to the rTMS intervention using individualized brain image analysis, which may help to establish an effective target for the neuromodulation of patients with major depressive disorder.
Dutch-Depression Outcome Trial Comparing 5 Day Multi Daily Neuronavigated Theta Burst Sessions With...
Treatment Resistant DepressionINTRODUCTION Recent findings from three small studies (total n=59) suggest that three changes in repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) protocols, called the Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT) protocol, contribute to extreme high overall remission of 79% in patients with treatment resistant depression (TRD), whereas remission using a standard 10 Hz rTMS protocol is 25%. The improvement using the SNT protocol is achieved by combining 1) accelerated treatment with multiple sessions per day, 2) applying a higher overall pulse dose of stimulation, using intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS), and 3) precise targeting of the region in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), using functional MRI guided neuronavigation. OBJECTIVE To determine if the SNT protocol is more (cost-) effective compared to standard 10 Hz rTMS in patients with TRD, even though the number of pulses given in both protocols is equal, i.e., 90,000. STUDY DESIGN Multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing SNT with standard 10Hz rTMS with a follow-up of 25 weeks. STUDY POPULATION 108 Patients with TRD (no response to 2 or more evidence-based treatments). INTERVENTION 50 sessions using the SNT protocol in 5 days. The region of the left DLPFC most anticorrelated with the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex in each participant will be targeted based on subject-specific functional resting state MRI. COMPARISON 30 standard daily 10 Hz rTMS sessions in six weeks, targeting the left DLPFC based on standard measurement procedures of the skull. OUTCOME MEASURES Remission, based on the Hamilton depression rating scale Cost effectiveness, based on healthcare resource use Quality of life and positive mental health Tolerability and safety Relapse Description of opportunities and difficulties with regard to implementation SAMPLE SIZE The investigators will enrol 108 patients (α=0.05, power is 0.80) including adjustment for attrition. COST EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS SNT is faster and possibly more effective than 10Hz rTMS leading to a total cost reduction of 22 million each year considering less expensive healthcare, reduced illness duration and absence from work. TIME SCHEDULE Within 36 months, the investigators will recruit and treat 108 patients with TRD: each center will recruit 9 patients per year. After the last follow-up assessments, the investigators will finalise the study within 12 months and report the results.
SMILE Trial - Imaging Sub-Study
Major Depressive DisorderThis is a pilot sub-study of an ongoing trial comparing N2O to midazolam in MDD and will examine neuroimaging correlates of treatment response.
Dynamic Neural Mechanisms of Brexanolone-induced Antidepressant Effects in Postpartum Depression...
Postpartum DepressionThis is a feasibility study of performing repeated EEG recordings and assessment of affective states during open-label administration of BRX to women with postpartum depression. Study phases will include screening, enrollment, intervention, and follow-up. Subjects will be screened for study eligibility criteria through clinical assessments and self-report. Enrolled subjects will be admitted to the UNC Women's Hospital, where five serial EEG recordings will be obtained, along with frequent assessments of affective state, before, during, and after a 60-hour IV infusion of BRX. Follow-up procedures will include assessments of PPD and affective symptoms, as well as an exit interview with the study team. If feasibility outcomes are achieved, exploratory EEG analyses will be performed with AMICA (adaptive mixture independent component analysis), community detection, and microstate assessment. Exploratory analyses of data collected by facial expression detection software (iMotions Affectiva) are also planned.
Augmentation of Interpersonal Psychotherapy With High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation...
Depressive DisorderDepression is among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders, with an upward trend in its manifestation in younger individuals. In contrast to adult depression, adolescent depression often presents with longer attack durations, higher recurrence rates, chronicity, and elevated disability rates. At present, treatment options for adolescent depression encompass pharmacological, physical, and psychological therapies. However, current evidence suggests that no antidepressant medication is entirely safe for youths, with only fluoxetine and escitalopram being FDA-approved for treating adolescent depression. Given the weight of interpersonal stressors faced by teenagers, the NICE guidelines recommend interpersonal therapy(IPT) as a first-line treatment. A 2020 meta-analysis in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry reported that interpersonal therapy exhibited significantly greater improvements in depression symptoms than cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT), although psychotherapeutic effects were modest, achieving a remission rate of 60%. These results underscore the need for further research to enhance interpersonal therapy's effectiveness in treating adolescent depression. High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS)is a highly secure non-invasive brain stimulation technique that produces sustained effects even after stimulation has discontinued, rendering it particularly valuable for therapeutic interventions. The proposed study aims to augment a single IPT treatment with HD-tDCS stimulation for adolescent depression. By enhancing the excitability of the cerebral cortex, HD-tDCS could potentially enhance IPT's therapeutic efficacy in treating adolescent depression while facilitating further investigation of its underlying neural circuit mechanisms.
Effects of CBT and BLT in Youth With Unipolar Depression and Evening Chronotype
DepressionUnipolar1 moreThe goal of this prospective randomised controlled trial is to examine the effects of cognitive behavioural therapy and bright light therapy in youths with unipolar depression and evening chronotype. The main questions it aims to answer are: What is the efficacy of CBT-D and CBT-D plus bright light therapy in reducing depression severity in adolescents with depression and eveningness? What are the effects of CBT-D and CBT-D plus bright light therapy on the subjective and objective sleep and circadian measures, as well as the quality of life, daytime symptoms, and functioning (e.g., sleepiness, fatigue)? Participants will participate in 8 weekly group sessions of CBT-D intervention based on the well-established CBT elements for treating depression. Concurrently participants will also be asked to wear a portable light device at home for 30 minutes daily for seven weeks, starting from the second week of the group intervention. Participants in the CBT-D only group will receive a placebo light via the device, whereas participants in the CBT-D plus light therapy group will receive the active bright light via the device.
MBCT vs HEP in Patients With Late-Life Depression
Depression in Old AgeCognitive DeclineStudy Design & Recruitment: Phase III randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 200 patients. Participants with a diagnosis of late-life depression (LLD), excluding dementia and other psychiatric comorbidities, will be recruited at three health networks. LLD patients had no earlier depressive episodes before the age of 65. Interventions: Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) or Health Enhancement Program (HEP) for 8-weeks, in addition to TAU. MBCT and HEP will have the same group sizes, meeting frequency, and amount of home practice. HEP is a recognized active control where participants learn about diet and exercise, but not meditation.