Actively Recruiting
Inflammatory and Glutamatergic Mechanisms of Sustained Threat in Adolescents With Depression
Led by University of California, Los Angeles · Updated on 2025-05-28
160
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
251 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of California, Los Angeles
Lead Sponsor
U
University of Southern California
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Despite the prevalence and significant public health concern over depression among adolescents, up to 40% of depressed adolescents do not respond to first-line antidepressants (herein termed treatment non-response, TNR). The goal of this project is to recruit and assess 160 treatment-seeking depressed adolescents and test whether acute stress impacts peripheral levels of inflammation and downstream levels of glutamate in corticolimbic regions previously associated with depression, whether these stress-related biomarkers predict TNR to a 12-week trial of either fluoxetine or escitalopram, and whether these stress-related biomarkers predict 18-month clinical course.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Inflammatory and Glutamatergic Mechanisms of Sustained Threat in Adolescents With Depression
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- DSM-V criteria for a depressive disorder
- All sexes and genders
- All ethnicities
- Ages 14 to 21 years
- Postpubertal (Tanner stage greater than 3)
- No medications that interfere with the study (including antidepressants, mood stabilizers, hormone supplements, steroids) for at least 2 to 6 weeks
- Currently being treated by a clinician with fluoxetine or escitalopram
- Ability to provide assent and complete all study procedures
- Caregiver consent if applicable
You will not qualify if you...
- Primary mental health diagnosis other than a depressive disorder
- Contraindications to MRI scanning, blood draws, or SSRI treatment
- Use of stimulants
- Concussion within the last 6 weeks or any lifetime concussion with loss of consciousness for at least 10 minutes
- Any inflammatory conditions or use of anti-inflammatory medications that may affect study results
- Major neurological or developmental disorders affecting study participation
- Current or past mania, psychosis, bipolar disorder, or substance use disorders
- First-degree relative with current, past, or suspected mania or psychosis
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, United States, 90095
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
T
Tiffany Ho, Ph.D.
CONTACT
C
Cheryl Sun, B.A.
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
1
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