Status:

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Ultrasound Neuromodulation of Circuits and Negative Valence Systems in Treatment-Resistant Depression

Lead Sponsor:

Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Inc.

Conditions:

Treatment-Resistant Depression

Eligibility:

All Genders

18-65 years

Phase:

NA

Brief Summary

Approximately one third of individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) are considered treatment-resistant, subject to severe disability and risk of suicide, and exhibit symptoms anchored in abnor...

Detailed Description

Approximately one third of individuals with depression are considered treatment-resistant (TRD) and exhibit symptoms anchored in abnormalities of RDoC Negative Valence Systems behavioral processes. Fo...

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

  • Persons 18-65 years old, with gender and ethnicity recruitment targets including a M:F proportion of 1:2 and White:Black:Hispanic:Native American proportion as close as possible to 8:2:2:1 to reflect the regional epidemiology of TRD (63% White American; 16% African American; 14% Hispanic of any race; 5% Native American),
  • DSM-5-TR diagnosis of MDD as confirmed by MINI structured interview followed by consultation with a board-certified psychiatrist,
  • Evidence of treatment resistance defined as continued MDD symptoms despite any of the following:
  • two or more adequate (6 week) trials of antidepressants with different mechanisms,
  • evidence-based psychotherapy,
  • augmentation agent (lithium, atypical antipsychotic, or T3), or
  • consideration of ECT or prior ECT nonresponse or intolerance,
  • at least moderate symptoms as indicated by MADRS≥20 upon screening
  • stable treatments including psychotherapy and medication for at least six weeks prior to participation.
  • Fluent English speaker, capable of written consent
  • Consent that random observations of pathology are possible (e.g., brain abnormality seen during imaging)

Exclusion

  • Clinical history of at least minor neurocognitive disorder of neurodegenerative origin,
  • PROMIS (Cognitive Function scale) score ≤40 (i.e., mean - 1SD), collected at baseline
  • clinical history of relevant structural pathology of the central nervous system, including Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and brain malignant neoplasia,
  • uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (as evidenced by a fasting glycemia ≥ 120 mg/dL or hemoglobin A1c ≥ 6.5%) or hypertension (as evidenced by two consecutive readings ≥ 140/90 mmHg) to ensure medical stability, collected at baseline
  • pregnancy or lactation,
  • Has positive test result(s) for alcohol or drugs of abuse (including methadone, opiates, cocaine, amphetamine/methamphetamine, and ecstasy), or substance use disorder including alcohol, stimulants, sedatives, and cannabis exceeding mild severity in the last 6 months,
  • active suicidal ideation (as measured by Suicide-Risk-Assessment-C-SSRS75 "Yes" answers to items 3, 4 or 5 of Suicidal Ideation-Past 1 month section, or any "Yes" answer to any of the items of Suicidal Behavior-Past 3 months section), or any suicide attempt in the last 3 months, collected at baseline
  • MRI contraindications as detected by the MRI Safety Screen, including unwillingness/unable to complete MRI scans
  • medical history indicative of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury as evidenced by history of \> 5 minutes of loss of consciousness, or of skull fractures, which in theory could distort LIFU tissue propagation, and
  • a current diagnosis of a psychotic disorder (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder), an eating disorder (e.g. anorexia or bulimia nervosa), learning disability, or a personality disorder that is considered by the investigator to interfere with the ability of the subject to adhere to the protocol (e.g., narcissistic personality disorder, borderline personality disorder).
  • Has a history of moderate or severe substance or alcohol use disorder according to DSM-5-TR
  • Use of benzodiazepines or anticonvulsants in the 7 days prior to screening
  • Medical, psychiatric, or other conditions that restrict the patient's following abilities: to interpret the study information, to give informed consent, to adhere to the rules of the protocol, or to complete the study.
  • No reliable method of communication (i.e., no access to internet or phone connection)
  • Prescription of a medication outside of the accepted range, as determined by best clinical practices and current research
  • Unwillingness or inability to complete any of the major aspects of the study protocol
  • Non-correctable vision or hearing problems

Key Trial Info

Start Date :

September 1 2025

Trial Type :

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation :

ESTIMATED

End Date :

July 1 2030

Estimated Enrollment :

140 Patients enrolled

Trial Details

Trial ID

NCT07166289

Start Date

September 1 2025

End Date

July 1 2030

Last Update

September 22 2025

Active Locations (1)

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Laureate Institute for Brain Research

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States, 74136