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Major Depressive DisorderPhase 2NCT01882829

Nuedexta in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression

A Phase 2 study testing dextromethorphan/quinidine in people with Major Depressive Disorder and Treatment Resistant, run by James Murrough at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

There is an urgent need, therefore, to identify well-tolerated, orally available compounds that target the NMDA receptor as a novel treatment approach for TRD. The current project aims to test the safety, tolerability and efficacy of Nuedexta - containing the NMDA antagonist dextromethorphan. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 65 years
What is being tested?
dextromethorphan/quinidine
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
20 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
Jul 2013to Mar 2016
Phase
Phase 2
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
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Male or female participants, 18-65 years of age;
  • Current primary Axis I diagnosis of major depressive disorder according to DSM-IV-TR criteria as determined by a psychiatrist and confirmed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID);
  • Current treatment-resistant depression defined by a history of inadequate response to a minimum of 2 adequate antidepressant treatment trials determined by patient history and chart review and confirmed with the Antidepressant Treatment History Form (ATHF);
  • Participants must be willing to discontinue treatment with concomitant medications that are disallowed by the study protocol;
  • Participants must have a level of understanding of the English language sufficient to agree to all tests and examinations required by the study and must be able to participate fully in the informed consent process.

Who cannot join

  • Lifetime diagnosis of schizophrenia or any psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, pervasive developmental disorders or mental retardation
  • Diagnosis of a substance use disorder within the past 1 year ;
  • Female participants who are pregnant, nursing, for may become pregnant;
  • Any unstable medical illnesses including hepatic, renal, gastroenterologic, respiratory, cardiovascular (including ischemic heart disease); endocrinologic, neurologic (including history of severe head injury), immunologic, or hematologic disease;
  • Participants with clinically significant abnormalities of laboratories, physical examination, or ECG;
  • Prolonged QT interval, congenital long QT syndrome, history suggestive of torsades de pointes, or heart failure;
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  • Complete atrioventricular (AV) block without implanted pacemaker, or patients at high risk of complete AV block
  • Participants with a history of quinidine, quinine or mefloquine-induced thrombocytopenia, hepatitis, or other hypersensitivity reactions;
  • Participants judged to be at serious suicidal risk by the PI;
  • Concomitant use with quinidine, quinine, or mefloquine;
  • Participants with known hypersensitivity to dextromethorphan;
  • Use with an MAOI or within 14 days of stopping an MAOI;
  • Concomitant use with drugs that prolong QT interval and are metabolized by CYP2D6

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

    New York, New York, 10029

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Targeting the NMDA Glutamate Receptor as Novel Antidepressant Strategy: A Pilot Clinical Trial of Nuedexta in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression

There is an urgent need, therefore, to identify well-tolerated, orally available compounds that target the NMDA receptor as a novel treatment approach for TRD. The current project aims to test the safety, tolerability and efficacy of Nuedexta - containing the NMDA antagonist dextromethorphan.

Read the detailed description

Approximately one-third of patients with major depressive disorder do not achieve adequate symptom control despite a series of multiple treatment trials with currently available antidepressant medication (for example a serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor). This group of patients - representing treatment-resistant depression (TRD) - accounts for an alarmingly high public health burden and signifies a critical area of need in pharmaceutical treatment development. While current treatments are slow to act and only partially effective, new basic and clinical research focusing on the glutamate system is yielding promising new avenues for novel drug discovery. Ketamine - a glutamate N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist - has now been demonstrated in several studies to bring about a rapid and robust antidepressant effect, even in patients suffering from TRD. Ketamine is limited as a treatment for TRD by the need for intravenous administration and the potential for untoward medical or psychiatric adverse effects. There is an urgent need, therefore, to identify well-tolerated, orally available compounds that target the NMDA receptor as a novel treatment approach for TRD. The current project aims to test the safety, tolerability and efficacy of Nuedexta - containing the NMDA antagonist dextromethorphan.

Being tested
dextromethorphan/quinidine
Keywords
depression, major depressive disorder, treatment resistant, Nuedexta, dextromethorphan, antidepressant, glutamate, NMDA receptor
Medical subject headings
Depressive Disorder, Major, Depression

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • dextromethorphan/quinidineDrug

    Also called Nuedexta

    up to 45/10 mg every 12 hours in patients with TRD with a short 7 day tapering period in which subjects are tapered off 45/10 mg dose from twice a day to once daily for an additional 7 days at post 8-week treatment period to minimize the potential for discontinuation effects

Study groups in NCT01882829
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Nuedexta (dextromethorphan/quinidine)Experimental45/10 mg every 12 hours x 8 weeks
Receives: Drug: dextromethorphan/quinidine

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale

    The Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale is a 10-item instrument used for the evaluation of depressive symptoms in adults and for the assessment of any changes to those symptoms. Each of the 10 items is s scored 0 (normal) to 6 (severe depression) with overall score ranges from 0 (normal) to 60 (severe depression). Primary outcome is change in MADRS at Visit 6 (Week 10). Higher values represent a worse outcome.

    Measured: At baseline and visit 6 (week 10)

Secondary outcomes (10)
  1. Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form

    The Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form is a reliable and valid self-report measure designed to obtain sensitive measures of the degree of enjoyment and satisfaction experienced by individuals. The raw total score ranges from 14 to 70. Higher scores reflect better oucomes.

    Measured: At baseline and Visit 6 (week 10)

  2. Range of Impaired Functioning Tool

    The Range of Impaired Functioning Tool a brief scale for assessing functional impairment related to medical or psychiatric illness and has been demonstrated to possess good psychometric properties. The LIFE-RIFT has a total score and individual domain scores for the following areas of functioning: household duties, work, recreation, relationships with family, relationships with friends, schoolwork, and global life satisfaction (the satisfaction item is patient rated).

    Higher scores indicate poorer functioning; scores ≥2 reflect impaired functioning in that domain. Results are reported for the total sum with full range from 3 (no impairment) to 60 (severe impairment), which is based on all individual domain scores.

    Measured: At baseline and Visit 6 (week 10)

  3. Sheehan Disability Scale

    The Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) is a self-rated scale which assesses illness-related disability in three areas of functioning: work, social and family. The SDS assess disability or functional impairment across three domains: work/school, social life/leisure activities and family life/home responsibilities. Each domain is scored from 0 (not at all) to 10 (very severely). The three domains can be summarized to evaluate global functional impairment by adding the scores of each of the three domains, resulting in global SDS score ranges from 0 (unimpaired) to 30 (highly impaired).

    Measured: At baseline and Visit 6 (week 10)

  4. Patient Rated Inventory of Side Effects (PRISE)

    Frequency of observed adverse events over the study treatment period as captured by the PRISE. The Patient Rated Inventory of Side Effects (PRISE) assesses the presence of treatment side effects in nine organ/function systems (gastrointestinal, nervous system, heart, eyes/ears, skin, genital/urinary, sleep, sexual functioning, and other).

    Measured: up to 12 weeks

  5. Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

    The Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is a comprehensive, semi-structured interview measure that uniquely measures the full spectrum of suicidality including passive and active suicidal ideation, suicidal intent as well as suicidal behaviors. Full range from 0 (low intensity suicidal ideation to 9 (high intensity suicidal ideation).

    Measured: up to 12 weeks

  6. Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, Self Report (QIDS-SR)

    The Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, Self Report (QIDS-SR) is a 16-item self rated instrument designed to assess the severity of depressive symptoms (30). The 16 items cover the nine symptom domains of major depression, and are rated on a scale of 0-3. Total score ranges from 0 to 27, with ranges of 0-5 (normal), 6-10 (mild), 11-15 (moderate), 16-20 (moderate to severe), and 21+ (severe).

    Measured: up to 12 weeks

  7. Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Scale

    The Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale assesses overall treatment response in psychiatric patients and has good reliability and validity metrics. The administration time is 2 minutes. This scale consists of three items: Severity of Illness (item 1); Global Improvement (item 2); and Efficacy Index (item 3). Item 1 is rated on a seven-point scale (1 = normal, 7 = among the most extremely ill patients) as is item 2 (1 = very much improved, 7 = very much worse). Full scale is 1 to 14.

    Measured: up to 12 weeks

  8. Massachusetts General Hospital Cognitive and Physical Functioning Questionnaire (CPFQ)

    The Massachusetts General Hospital Cognitive and Physical Functioning Questionnaire (CPFQ) is a brief scale to measure cognitive and executive dysfunction in mood and anxiety disorders, and possesses good reliability and validity. The Massachusetts General Hospital CPFQ was developed to assess each of the 7 most common complaints of depressed patients reporting fatigue or cognitive/executive problems. The CPFQ consists of 7 questions, each rated on a scale from 1 to 6, with 1 indicating greater than normal functioning, 2 indicating normal functioning and with higher numbers indicating poorer functioning. Total score range from 7 (greater than normal function) to 42 (poor function).

    Measured: At baseline and Visit 6 (week 10)

  9. HAM-A

    Change in Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) score from baseline to Week 10. It consists of 14 items, each defined by a series of symptoms. Each item is rated on a 5-point scale, ranging from 0 (not present) to 4 (severe), with a total score range of 0-56, where <17 indicates mild severity, 18-24 mild to moderate severity and >25-30 moderate to severe.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 10

  10. Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSI)

    Mean change in Brief Inventory Symptom from baseline to week 10. The BSS is a self-report 19-item scale preceded by five screening items. The BSS and its screening items are intended to assess a patient's thoughts, plans and intent to commit suicide. All 24 items are rated on a three-point scale (0 to 2). In this study, scores from the five screening items were included in the overall score. Therefore, total scores could range from 0 to 48, with higher scores reflecting more severe symptoms.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 10

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted20 Jun 2013 (estimated)
  2. Study startJul 2013
  3. Primary completionMar 2016
  4. Study completionMar 2016

Resources

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 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
20 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT01882829
Sponsor's protocol ID
GCO 13-0389
Other IDs
IF1463152
Status last verified
May 2018
First submitted
14 Jun 2013
Last updated
11 Jun 2018
Data monitoring committee
No

Publications

  • Murrough JW, Wade E, Sayed S, Ahle G, Kiraly DD, Welch A, Collins KA, Soleimani L, Iosifescu DV, Charney DS. Dextromethorphan/quinidine pharmacotherapy in patients with treatment resistant depression: A proof of concept clinical trial. J Affect Disord. 2017 Aug 15;218:277-283. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.04.072. Epub 2017 Apr 29.

    PubMed 28478356

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing dextromethorphan/quinidine in people with Major Depressive Disorder and Treatment Resistant, run by James Murrough 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 5 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 11 Jun 2018. 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 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

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 11 Jun 2018). 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?

Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (time frame: At baseline and visit 6 (week 10)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01882829, which also lists 1 linked publication.

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 11 Jun 2018.

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