Status:

COMPLETED

Social Reward and Its Effect on Brain Functions in Psychotherapies for Mid- and Late-Life Depression

Lead Sponsor:

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Collaborating Sponsors:

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Conditions:

Major Depressive Disorder

Eligibility:

All Genders

50-85 years

Phase:

NA

Brief Summary

Abnormalities in the Positive Valence System (PVS) are associated with depressive symptoms and reduced behavioral activation in mid- and late-life. This study will investigate the engagement of the PV...

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

  • Ages aged 50-85 \[stratified so that 50% are older than 65\]
  • Diagnosis of unipolar major depressive disorder without psychotic features, determined by the SCID
  • Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score ≥ 20.
  • Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) ≤ 1 SD below the mean score for patient's age and education
  • Off antidepressants or on a stable dose of an antidepressant for 8 weeks and do not intend to change the dose in the next 10 weeks.
  • Capacity to provide written consent for research assessment and treatment.

Exclusion

  • Intent or plan to attempt suicide in the near future.
  • History or presence of psychiatric diagnoses other than major depressive disorder without psychotic features, generalized anxiety disorder, or specific phobia.
  • Use of psychotropic drugs or cholinesterase inhibitors other than use of ≤ 0.5 mg of lorazepam daily up to seven times per week.
  • Neurological disorders (dementias, history of stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, etc.); cardiac, renal, or respiratory failure; severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; metastatic cancer; or debilitated states or less common medical illnesses that may either influence brain systems of interest or ability to participate in the study. Dr. Alexopoulos or another research psychiatrist will review any medical illnesses that does not appear in the list above and determine whether it interferes with the study of positive valence system functions in depression.
  • Contraindications to MRI scanning including cardiac pacemaker, heart valve replacement, vascular stent, insulin pump, cochlear implant, any other metallic biomedical implant contraindicating to MRI, and claustrophobia.

Key Trial Info

Start Date :

October 15 2020

Trial Type :

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation :

ACTUAL

End Date :

August 19 2024

Estimated Enrollment :

64 Patients enrolled

Trial Details

Trial ID

NCT04487730

Start Date

October 15 2020

End Date

August 19 2024

Last Update

June 3 2025

Active Locations (1)

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1

Weill Cornell Medicine

New York, New York, United States, 10065