RecruitingNCT06080646

Reward Processing and Depressive Subtypes: Identifying Neural Biotypes

Reward Processing and Depressive Subtypes: Identifying Neural Biotypes Related to Suicide Risk, Resilience, and Treatment Response

Sponsor

San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Enrollment

150 participants

Start Date

Jun 1, 2021

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Conditions

Depression Depressive Disorder Depressive Symptoms Major Depressive Disorder Anhedonia Major Depressive Episode

Summary

Deficits in motivation and pleasure are common in depression, and thought to be caused by alterations in the ways in which the brain anticipates, evaluates, and adaptively uses reward-related information. However, reward processing is a complex, multi-circuit phenomenon, and the precise neural mechanisms that contribute to the absence or reduction of pleasure and motivation are not well understood. Variation in the clinical presentation of depression has long been a rule rather than an exception, including individual variation in symptoms, severity, and treatment response. This heterogeneity complicates understanding of depression and thwarts progress toward disease classification and treatment planning. Discovery of depression-specific biomarkers that account for neurobiological variation that presumably underlies distinct clinical manifestations is critical to this larger effort.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 70 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study uses brain scans (MRI) to explore how people process rewards differently based on their type of depression. Researchers hope to identify different subtypes of depression based on brain activity patterns, which could lead to better, more targeted treatments. **You may be eligible if...** - You are between 18 and 70 years old - You have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD), OR you have no mental health diagnosis (for the comparison group) - You have normal or corrected-to-normal vision - You do not have metal in your body and are comfortable being in an MRI machine - You can travel to the research lab in San Francisco **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You have a neurological condition such as seizures or significant head injuries - You have lost consciousness for more than 30 minutes or had neurological symptoms after losing consciousness - You have a major medical condition (e.g., seizure disorder, serious heart condition, hormone disorder) - You have had a substance dependence problem in the past year or fail a drug test - You are claustrophobic, currently pregnant, or have an IQ below 70 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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