RecruitingPhase 2NCT06705478

Pramipexole Versus Escitalopram to Treat Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Comorbid MDD With Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (MND) in Persons With HIV

An Open-Label, Randomized Controlled Trial of Pramipexole Versus Escitalopram to Treat Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Comorbid MDD With Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (MND) in Persons With HIV


Sponsor

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Enrollment

186 participants

Start Date

Apr 30, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Summary

A phase II, randomized, open-label, two-arm clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of pramipexole extended release (ER) versus escitalopram for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and comorbid MDD with mild neurocognitive disorder (MND) in persons with HIV (PWH). Participants will be assessed comprehensively and briefly at intercurrent visits to monitor for toxicity, response to therapy, and to assess for dose changes. An optional sub-study to evaluate treatment impact on the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profile will be conducted in a subset of 36 participants.


Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 70 Years

Inclusion Criteria12

  • Documented HIV-1 infection.
  • Diagnosis of MDD.
  • On current ART regimen for at least 90 days prior to study entry with no interruption in treatment greater than 7 consecutive days.
  • No plans to change ART while on study.
  • Plasma HIV-1 RNA levels of less than 200 copies/mL obtained within 90 days prior to enrollment.
  • Study candidates previously treated for depression are eligible provided the study candidate's last dose of antidepressant taken is at least 4 weeks prior to study entry, with the exception of fluoxetine, which the last dose taken must have been at least 8 weeks prior to study entry.
  • Laboratory values obtained within 30 days prior to study entry that meet protocol criteria as determined by the site investigator of record.
  • Study candidates of child-bearing potential must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test performed at screening and within 2 days prior to study entry.
  • Study candidates of child-bearing potential who are participating in sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy must agree to use at least one highly effective method for contraception.
  • Non-focal neurological examination. Study candidates with focal findings should have expert assessment for mass effect prior to the LP.
  • Laboratory values that meet LP protocol criteria as determined by the site investigator.
  • No history of a positive syphilis testing per local testing algorithms or clinical documentation of prior syphilis treatment.

Exclusion Criteria36

  • Active suicidality, and/or severe MDD, psychotic disorders, manic or hypomanic symptoms occurring in the context of bipolar disorder type I or II, or cyclothymic disorder, or another current Axis I diagnosis judged by the investigator to interfere with the trial.
  • Study candidate self-report of depressive symptoms that have persisted for over 50 percent of waking hours and for over 50 percent of days over the 24 months prior to study entry.
  • Severe, active alcohol or substance use disorder by DSM-5-TR criteria in the 6 months prior to study entry.
  • Active alcohol or substance use judged by the investigator to interfere with the trial.
  • Any acute infection within 14 days prior to study entry.
  • Acute or serious illness requiring systemic treatment and/or hospitalization within 90 days prior to study entry.
  • Active coronary artery disease (CAD) or myocardial infarction (MI) within 180 days prior to study entry.
  • Presence of rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), dermatomyositis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or other chronic inflammatory conditions.
  • Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) or a history of IRIS within 180 days prior to study entry.
  • Unstable or advanced liver disease.
  • Receipt of medications judged by the site investigator to significantly influence depression or neurocognitive function within 30 days prior to study entry.
  • Non-HIV-associated neurological disorder comorbidity.
  • Diagnosis of epilepsy with antiepileptic drug treatment.
  • Untreated HCV infection and HCV viremia.
  • Current CNS malignant tumor or CNS opportunistic infection (OI).
  • Current systemic malignant tumor or of a current systemic AIDS-defining OI.
  • History of completed treatment of CNS or systemic malignant tumor within the 5 years prior to study entry.
  • History of completed treatment of CNS OI within the 5 years prior to study entry.
  • Documented history of completed treatment of systemic AIDS-defining OI, as well as Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection, within the 180 days prior to study entry.
  • New diagnosis of syphilis or treatment for syphilis within the 180 days prior to study entry.
  • History of neurosyphilis.
  • Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  • Congestive heart failure (CHF).
  • Use of systemic steroids daily (except testosterone).
  • Diseases that cause a known bleeding diathesis.
  • Immunostimulant therapies and trials of non-FDA-approved ARV medications within 30 days prior to study entry.
  • Immunosuppressive medications if judged by the investigator to affect study outcomes.
  • Currently pregnant, planning to become pregnant during the study period, or currently breastfeeding.
  • Known allergy/sensitivity or any hypersensitivity to the study drugs or their formulations.
  • Study candidates on prohibited medications at the time of screening will be excluded from study participation.
  • Current use of anti-coagulants.
  • Known presence of intracerebral mass or lesion that is judged to affect the safety of an LP.
  • Known presence of an active CNS infection that could alter CNS/CSF inflammatory measures.
  • Known allergy to lidocaine.
  • Individuals who are unable to safely tolerate an LP due to physical limitation or condition.
  • Body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 kg/m\^2.

Interested in this trial?

Get notified about updates and connect with the research team.

Interventions

DRUGPramipexole ER

Tablets self-administered orally

DRUGEscitalopram

Tablets self-administered orally


Locations(40)

Alabama CRS

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

University of California, Los Angeles CARE Center CRS

Los Angeles, California, United States

UCSD Antiviral Research Center CRS

San Diego, California, United States

University of California, San Francisco HIV/AIDS CRS

San Francisco, California, United States

Harbor University of California, Los Angeles Center CRS

Torrance, California, United States

University of Colorado Hospital CRS

Aurora, Colorado, United States

Whitman-Walker Institute, Inc. CRS

Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States

The Ponce de Leon Center CRS

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Northwestern University CRS

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Massachusetts General Hospital CRS (MGH CRS)

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Washington University Therapeutics (WT) CRS

St Louis, Missouri, United States

New Jersey Medical School Clinical Research Center CRS (Site ID 31786)

Newark, New Jersey, United States

Weill Cornell Chelsea CRS

New York, New York, United States

Columbia Physicians & Surgeons (P&S) CRS

New York, New York, United States

Weill Cornell Uptown CRS

New York, New York, United States

University of Rochester Adult HIV Therapeutic Strategies Network CRS

Rochester, New York, United States

Chapel Hill CRS

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

Greensboro CRS

Greensboro, North Carolina, United States

Cincinnati CRS

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Case CRS

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Ohio State University CRS

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Penn Therapeutics CRS

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

University of Pittsburgh CRS

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Vanderbilt Therapeutics (VT) CRS

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Houston Advancing Research Team CRS

Houston, Texas, United States

Gaborone CRS

Gaborone, Botswana

Instituto de Pesquisa Clinica Evandro Chagas (IPEC) CRS

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College (BJMC) CRS

Pune, Maharashtra, India

Moi University Clinical Research Center (MUCRC) CRS

Eldoret, Rift Valley, Kenya

Kenya Medical Research Institute/Walter Reed Project Clinical Research Center (KEMRI/WRP) CRS

Kericho, Rift Valley, Kenya

Blantyre CRS

Blantyre, Malawi

Nutrición-Mexico CRS

Mexico City, Tlalpan, Mexico

Barranco CRS

Lima, Peru

De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute - Angelo King Medical Research Center (DLSMHSI-AKMRC)

DasmariƱas, Cavite, Philippines

Durban International CRS

Mount Edgecombe, South Africa

Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre (TRC-ARC) CRS

Pathum Wan, Bangkok, Thailand

Chiang Mai University HIV Treatment (CMU HIV Treatment) CRS

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC)/Kampala CRS

Kampala, Uganda

Hanoi Medical University (HMU)

Hanoi, Vietnam

Milton Park CRS

Milton Park, Harare, Zimbabwe

View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov

For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.

Visit

NCT06705478


Related Trials