Developing MRI techniques to study mood and anxiety disorders
Development of Functional and Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging Techniques for the Study of Mood and Anxiety Disorders
This study is testing new MRI techniques to see how the brains of people with mood and anxiety disorders work compared to healthy individuals.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 390 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) NIH |
| Locations | 1 site (Bethesda, Maryland) |
| Trial ID | NCT00397111 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to develop advanced MRI imaging techniques to investigate structural and functional changes in the brain associated with mood and anxiety disorders. Researchers will optimize MRI scan collection methods while participants engage in specific tasks, allowing for a detailed examination of brain behavior. Both healthy volunteers and individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder will be included, undergoing MRI scans and neuropsychological testing to gather comprehensive data. The study focuses on utilizing cutting-edge MRI technology to enhance understanding of these psychiatric conditions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include healthy individuals aged 18 to 65 without major psychiatric disorders and individuals with major depressive disorder who meet specific diagnostic criteria.
Not a fit: Patients with severe psychiatric disorders other than major depression or those unable to provide informed consent may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved diagnostic and treatment strategies for mood and anxiety disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies utilizing advanced MRI techniques have shown promise in understanding brain abnormalities in psychiatric disorders, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
* INCLUSION CRITERIA: Healthy Controls * Male and female subjects between 18 and 65 years of age * Subjects must be able to give written informed consent prior to participation in this study. * Subjects who do not currently meet and have never met criteria for any major psychiatric disorder, and who have no known first degree relatives with mood disorders. * For cognitive experiments utilizing language stimuli only native English speakers will be enrolled. Major Depressive Disorder * Male and female subjects between 18 and 65 years of age. * Subjects have been found eligible for other ETPB research protocols according to 01-M-0254. * Subjects must fulfill DSM-IV or V criteria for Major Depression based on clinical assessment and confirmed by a structured diagnostic interview (SCID-P). * Subjects must be able to give written informed consent prior to participation in this study. * For cognitive experiments utilizing language stimuli, only native English speakers will be enrolled. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Healthy Control * Subjects with major medical or neurological disorders expected to influence cerebral blood flow or morphology, or taking any medication that is likely to influence the imaging parameters-of-interest within 3 weeks of scanning. * Women who are pregnant are excluded from the study. Subjects will undergo pregnancy testing no more than 24 hours prior to MRI scanning. * Subjects with contraindication to MRI scanning such as aneurysm clips, implanted neural stimulator, implanted cardiac pacemaker or auto-defibrillator, cochlear implant, or ocular foreign body. * A history of drug or alcohol abuse within 1 year or a lifetime history of drug or alcohol dependence (DSM-IV) or alcohol use disorder (DSM-V equivalent). Major Depressive Disorder * Presence of Axis 1 psychiatric diagnosis other than Major Depression or an Axis 2 disorder * Subjects with major medical or neurological disorders expected to influence cognitive function or are taking any drugs likely to affect mood or cognitive function within 1 week of study participation. Depressed subjects will not be tapered/withdrawn from medications under this study. * A history of drug or alcohol abuse within 1 year or a lifetime history of drug or alcohol dependence (DSM-IV) or alcohol use disorder (DSM-V equivalent). * Subjects with major medical or neurological disorders expected to influence cerebral blood flow or morphology. * Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding will be excluded from MRI portions of the study. Subjects will undergo pregnancy testing no more than 24 hours prior to MRI scanning. * Subjects with contraindication to MRI scanning such as aneurysm clips, implanted neural stimulator, implanted cardiac pacemaker or auto-defibrillator, cochlear implant, or ocular foreign body.
Where this trial is running
Bethesda, Maryland
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Allison C Nugent, Ph.D. — National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Study coordinator: Allison C Nugent, Ph.D.
- Email: moodresearch@mail.nih.gov
- Phone: (301) 451-8863
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.