BrainDrugs-Depression Study Predicting Treatment Response and Subtypes in Major Depressive Disorder Using Neuroimaging and Clinical Data

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying major depressive disorder MDD in adults to identify subtypes of the condition and predict how patients respond to standard antidepressant treatments. This observational study uses a combination of neuroimaging, self-report measures, clinical evaluations, and molecular markers. The study includes patients receiving care within mental health services and follows them through nationwide health registries to gather comprehensive data. Participants receive a standardized treatment package for first-episode depression that includes group cognitive-behavioral therapy CBT, psychoeducation for patients and relatives, medication clinics, and relapse prevention. The study has three groups a main cohort of 800 patients with clinical and biological data, a subgroup of 600 patients with additional MRI and EEG scans, and a smaller group of 60 unmedicated patients who also undergo PET imaging to measure brain synaptic density. Throughout the study, participants complete questionnaires assessing depression severity, functioning, quality of life, and side effects at multiple follow-up points up to 18 months. Researchers use these data to measure clinical remission and improvement six months after treatment begins, along with longer-term outcomes. Advanced statistical and machine learning methods will help understand patient characteristics, treatment effects, and clinical outcomes over time.

Precision Medicine in the Depression Treatment