Brain Activity and Inflammatory Biomarker Study in Adults with Treatment-Resistant Major Depression Receiving Electroconvulsive Therapy

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the neurophysiological and inflammatory changes linked to electroconvulsive therapy ECT in adults with treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder who have not responded to at least two antidepressant treatments. The study aims to understand how ECT affects brain network activity using EEG microstate analysis and to explore relationships between brain activity changes, inflammatory markers, and clinical improvements. This work hopes to provide new insights into depression and help guide personalized treatments. Participants include adults aged 18 to 60 with treatment-resistant depression who will undergo ECT using a device called the Thymatron System IV under general anesthesia. Healthy volunteers matched by age and sex will also participate as controls. EEG recordings will be taken before ECT and at two points after treatment to analyze brain activity patterns. Blood samples will be collected before and after ECT to measure various inflammatory biomarkers and calculate inflammatory indices. During the study, participants will complete several clinical scales assessing depression, anxiety, and cognitive function at baseline and after treatment. EEG recordings involve resting-state measurements with eyes open and closed. The study will examine changes in EEG microstate parameters and inflammatory markers over time and their association with clinical outcomes. The total participation includes assessments before ECT, and follow-ups up to eight weeks after treatment ends.

EEG Microstate Parameters and Neuroinflammatory Biomarkers in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Major Depressive Disorder Receiving ECT