DepressionPhase 4NCT00183677
Brain Energy Metabolism in Individuals With Major Depressive Disorder Receiving Escitalopram
A Phase 4 study testing Escitalopram in people with Depression, run by Massachusetts General Hospital at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This study will evaluate changes in brain energy metabolism due to treatment with escitalopram in people with major depressive disorder. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Depression
- What is being tested?
- Escitalopram
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 97 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Jul 2003to Jun 2009
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- For depressed subjects:
- Meets DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder
- Score of greater than 16 on the Hamilton Depression Rating scale (17 items) at study entry
- Agrees to use an effective form of contraception throughout the study
- For healthy volunteers:
- Not currently taking any medications
- No lifetime history of major neurological, medical, psychiatric disorder, or head injury
- Agrees to use an effective form of contraception throughout the study
Who cannot join
- Current suicidal ideation that may make study participation unsafe
- Current serious or unstable medical illness (e.g., cardiovascular, kidney, liver, respiratory, endocrine, neurologic, or blood-related disease)
- History of seizure disorder
- History of or current DSM-IV diagnosis of any of the following psychiatric illnesses within 12 months of study entry: organic mental disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, psychotic disorders not otherwise specified, bipolar disorder, mood congruent or mood incongruent psychotic features, substance dependence disorders (including alcohol)
- History of or current diagnosis of dementia, or a score of less than 26 on the Mini Mental Status Examination at screening
- History of multiple adverse drug reactions or allergic reaction to the study drugs
Show all 13Show fewer
- Currently taking psychotropic drugs or antidepressant medications
- Clinical or laboratory evidence of hypothyroidism
- Failure to respond during current major depressive episode to at least one adequate antidepressant trial, defined as 6 weeks or more of treatment with 40 mg of citalopram per day (or its antidepressant equivalent)
- History of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) within the 6 months prior to study entry
- Pregnant
- Subjects with a CGI score a 6 ("severely depressed") or 7 ("among the most extremely depressed patients")
- A BMI of 39 or greater, for comfort in scanner
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114
About this study
Official title: Biochemical Brain Changes Correlated With the Antidepressant Effect of Escitalopram: A Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging Study
This study will evaluate changes in brain energy metabolism due to treatment with escitalopram in people with major depressive disorder.
Read the detailed description
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a severe form of depression. MDD can significantly interfere with an individual's thoughts, behavior, mood, and physical health. People who suffer from MDD often experience feelings of worthlessness; they may feel hopeless and may be unable to cope with problems in their life. In addition, they often experience sleep disruption, loss of appetite, and chronic pain.
Antidepressant medications are often prescribed for treating MDD; however, 30% to 40% of individuals fail to respond adequately to medication. Preliminary research has shown that lower levels of brain energy metabolism are often associated with MDD. No studies have yet shown whether there is a difference in brain energy metabolism between individuals who respond well to antidepressants versus those who do not. Escitalopram is an antidepressant medication often used to treat MDD. It causes a calming effect and reduces anxiety by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. This study will compare the changes in brain energy metabolism due to treatment with escitalopram in individuals with MDD. In turn, these findings may aid in understanding the relationship between brain energy metabolism and depression, and may guide future antidepressant trials.
This 12-week study will enroll individuals diagnosed with MDD, as well as healthy individuals. During Weeks 1 through 4, participants with MDD will receive 10 mg of escitalopram on a daily basis. If a participant does not respond well to the medication, as determined by the study clinician, the dose may be increased to 20 mg per day for Weeks 5 through 8. If a participant continues to not respond to the medication after 8 weeks, the dose may be increased to 30 mg per day for Weeks 9 through 12. Study visits will occur every other week throughout the 12 weeks. Laboratory tests, physical examinations, and vital sign measurements will be performed at each study visit. Outcome measurements will include depression levels as assessed by standardized psychological tests and questionnaires, as well as brain energy metabolite levels as assessed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The MRS and MRI scans will occur at baseline, Week 2, and Week 12; the entire scanning procedure will last 70-80 minutes. Following the end of the study, all participants will be offered follow-up medical care for 3 months. Participants who responded well to escitalopram will be offered continued treatment with the drug, while those who did not respond well to escitalopram will be offered treatment with another antidepressant.
- Conditions
- Depression
- Being tested
- Escitalopram
- Keywords
- Brain Bioenergetic Metabolism, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Major Depressive Disorder, Treatment Response
- Medical subject headings
- Depression, Depressive Disorder, Major
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
EscitalopramDrug
Also called Lexapro
Escitalopram 10 to 30 mg per day for 12 weeks
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Escitalopram | Experimental | Participants will receive open treatment with escitalopram. Receives: Drug: Escitalopram |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Responder and Remission Status (%), Based on the Depression Rating Scale Score
The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, 17 items (HAMD-17, range 0-52) was used to measure changes in depression severity from baseline to endpoint. Clinical Responder status was defined as > 50% improvement (i.e., reduction) in HAMD-17 score from baseline to endpoint. Clinical Remission status was defined as HAMD-17 score < 8 at endpoint (week 12 visit).
Measured: Measured at Week 12
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted16 Sep 2005 (estimated)
- Study startJul 2003
- Primary completionJun 2009
- Study completionJun 2009
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Other trials for DepressionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Massachusetts General HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 97 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, David Mischoulon, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Investigators
- Dan V. Iosifescu, MD, Principal investigator, Massachusetts General Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00183677
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- K23MH067111
- Status last verified
- Nov 2016
- First submitted
- 13 Sep 2005
- Last updated
- 4 Jan 2017
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Jan 2017. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Biochemical Brain Changes Correlated With the Antidepressant Effect of Escitalopram: A Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00183677
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- K23MH067111
- Conditions
- Depression
- Keywords
- Brain Bioenergetic Metabolism, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Major Depressive Disorder, Treatment Response
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 97 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Massachusetts General HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Jul 2003
- Primary completion
- Jun 2009 (actual)
- Study completion
- Jun 2009 (actual)
- First posted
- 16 Sep 2005 (estimated)
- Results
- Posted 4 Jan 2017
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study will evaluate changes in brain energy metabolism due to treatment with escitalopram in people with major depressive disorder.
Detailed description
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a severe form of depression. MDD can significantly interfere with an individual's thoughts, behavior, mood, and physical health. People who suffer from MDD often experience feelings of worthlessness; they may feel hopeless and may be unable to cope with problems in their life. In addition, they often experience sleep disruption, loss of appetite, and chronic pain.
Antidepressant medications are often prescribed for treating MDD; however, 30% to 40% of individuals fail to respond adequately to medication. Preliminary research has shown that lower levels of brain energy metabolism are often associated with MDD. No studies have yet shown whether there is a difference in brain energy metabolism between individuals who respond well to antidepressants versus those who do not. Escitalopram is an antidepressant medication often used to treat MDD. It causes a calming effect and reduces anxiety by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. This study will compare the changes in brain energy metabolism due to treatment with escitalopram in individuals with MDD. In turn, these findings may aid in understanding the relationship between brain energy metabolism and depression, and may guide future antidepressant trials.
This 12-week study will enroll individuals diagnosed with MDD, as well as healthy individuals. During Weeks 1 through 4, participants with MDD will receive 10 mg of escitalopram on a daily basis. If a participant does not respond well to the medication, as determined by the study clinician, the dose may be increased to 20 mg per day for Weeks 5 through 8. If a participant continues to not respond to the medication after 8 weeks, the dose may be increased to 30 mg per day for Weeks 9 through 12. Study visits will occur every other week throughout the 12 weeks. Laboratory tests, physical examinations, and vital sign measurements will be performed at each study visit. Outcome measurements will include depression levels as assessed by standardized psychological tests and questionnaires, as well as brain energy metabolite levels as assessed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The MRS and MRI scans will occur at baseline, Week 2, and Week 12; the entire scanning procedure will last 70-80 minutes. Following the end of the study, all participants will be offered follow-up medical care for 3 months. Participants who responded well to escitalopram will be offered continued treatment with the drug, while those who did not respond well to escitalopram will be offered treatment with another antidepressant.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Escitalopram | Experimental | Drug: EscitalopramParticipants will receive open treatment with escitalopram. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Meets DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder
- Score of greater than 16 on the Hamilton Depression Rating scale (17 items) at study entry
- Agrees to use an effective form of contraception throughout the study
- Not currently taking any medications
- No lifetime history of major neurological, medical, psychiatric disorder, or head injury
Key exclusion criteria (13 listed)
- Current suicidal ideation that may make study participation unsafe
- Current serious or unstable medical illness (e.g., cardiovascular, kidney, liver, respiratory, endocrine, neurologic, or blood-related disease)
- History of seizure disorder
- History of or current DSM-IV diagnosis of any of the following psychiatric illnesses within 12 months of study entry: organic mental disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, psychotic disorders not otherwise specified, bipolar disorder, mood congruent or mood incongruent psychotic features, substance dependence disorders (including alcohol)
- History of or current diagnosis of dementia, or a score of less than 26 on the Mini Mental Status Examination at screening
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| EscitalopramAlso: LexaproEscitalopram 10 to 30 mg per day for 12 weeks | Drug | Escitalopram |
Primary outcome
Responder and Remission Status (%), Based on the Depression Rating Scale Score
Time frame: Measured at Week 12
The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, 17 items (HAMD-17, range 0-52) was used to measure changes in depression severity from baseline to endpoint. Clinical Responder status was defined as > 50% improvement (i.e., reduction) in HAMD-17 score from baseline to endpoint. Clinical Remission status was defined as HAMD-17 score < 8 at endpoint (week 12 visit).
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Jan 2017.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
Related trials for Depression
Recruiting
Unified Protocol in Penitentiary Facilities
Depression Disorders, Anxiety
Not yet recruiting
Preventive and Personalized Digital Emotion Regulation Skills Intervention to Reduce Depression and Anxiety in Youths With Adverse Childhood Experiences
Adverse Childhood Experience, Depression / Major Depressive Disorder
Not yet recruitingObservational study
Functional Impact of Psychological Symptoms in Patients With Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence Syndrome (SSCD): a National Cross-sectional Study
Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence
Recruiting
Trial Phase: Syndemic Adapted Medly Uganda
Mental Health
Recruiting
Cultural Adaptation of an Online Parenting Intervention to Reduce the Risk of Depression and Anxiety in Adolescents
Risk of Depression and Anxiety
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Dan V. Iosifescu, MD principal investigator
Massachusetts General Hospital
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 4 study testing Escitalopram in people with Depression, run by Massachusetts General Hospital at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 13 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Jan 2017. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 4 Jan 2017). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Responder and Remission Status (%), Based on the Depression Rating Scale Score (time frame: Measured at Week 12). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Jan 2017; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.