RecruitingPhase 1NCT03973268

Mechanism of Action Underlying Ketamine's Antidepressant Effects: The AMPA Throughput Theory in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Major Depression

The Mechanism of Action Underlying Ketamine's Antidepressant Effects: An Investigation of the AMPA Throughput Theory in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Major Depression


Sponsor

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Enrollment

70 participants

Start Date

Jan 21, 2020

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Summary

Background: Most drugs that treat mood disorders take a long time to work. Ketamine works within hours. A dose can last for a week or more. Certain receptors in the brain might help ketamine work. A drug that blocks these receptors might affect how it works. Objective: To see if the antidepressant response of ketamine is linked to AMPA receptors. Eligibility: Adults ages 18-70 with major depression disorder without psychotic features Design: Participants will be screened under protocol 01-M-0254. They will have blood tests and a physical exam. Participants will stay at the NIH Clinical Center for 5 weeks. Phase 1 lasts 4 weeks. For 2 weeks, participants will taper off their psychiatric medicine. Then they will have the following tests: * Blood draws * Psychological tests * MRI: Participants will lie in a machine that takes pictures of their brain. * MEG: Participants will lie down and do tasks. A cone lowered on their head will record brain activity. * Optional sleep tests: Electrodes on the scalp and body and belts around the body will monitor participants while they sleep. * Optional TMS: Participants will do tasks while a wire coil is held on their scalp. An electrical current will pass through the coil that affects brain activity. For phase 2, on day 0 participants will take the study drug or a placebo orally. While having a MEG, they will get ketamine infused into a vein in one arm while blood is drawn from a vein in the other arm. On day 1, participants will again take the study drug or a placebo orally. On days 3-7, they will repeat many of the phase 1 tests. Days 8 and 9 are optional and include an open label ketamine treatment and many of the phase 1 tests.


Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 70 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study investigates how the drug ketamine relieves depression so quickly — often within hours — in people with treatment-resistant major depression. It focuses on a scientific theory about how ketamine affects brain signaling pathways. **You may be eligible if...** - You are between 18 and 70 years old - You have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder without psychotic features - You have a significantly elevated depression score (MADRS of 22 or higher) - You have not responded to at least two adequate antidepressant treatments in the past - You have completed a prior screening evaluation at the study site **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You have a history of psychosis, bipolar disorder, or substance use disorder - Your depression score is too low or you have elevated mania symptoms - You are on certain medications that cannot be safely stopped Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

DEVICEArm 1, 2, 3 device interventions

MagPro 100 TMS Therapy System

OTHERArm 2 Interventions

Placebo

DRUGArm 1, 2, 3 drug Interventions

Ketamine

DRUGArm 1 and 2 Interventions

Perampanel


Locations(1)

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

Bethesda, Maryland, United States

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NCT03973268


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