Evaluating if Psilocybin's Effects on Depression Depend on Its Psychedelic Properties

Does Psilocybin Require Psychedelic Effects to Treat Depression? A 4-Week, Double-Blind, Proof-of-Concept Randomized Controlled Trial

This study is testing if the benefits of psilocybin for people with treatment-resistant depression come from its psychedelic effects or not.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Toronto, Ontario)
• Trial ID: NCT05710237 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates whether the antidepressant effects of psilocybin, a compound found in 'magic mushrooms', are reliant on its psychedelic effects. Sixty participants with treatment-resistant depression will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: one receiving psilocybin with risperidone, another receiving psilocybin with a placebo, and the last receiving risperidone with a placebo. The study employs a double-blind, three-arm design to assess the safety and efficacy of these combinations over a four-week period. Participants will undergo a washout period to taper off any prior medications before starting the trial.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are outpatient adults aged 18 to 65 with a primary diagnosis of treatment-resistant depression.

Not a fit: Patients with psychotic disorders or those who have not experienced treatment-resistant depression may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a new treatment option for patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results with psilocybin in treating depression, but this specific approach is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Outpatient adults 18 to 65 years old;
* Able to provide informed consent and read and communicate in English;
* Primary DSM-5 diagnosis of non-psychotic MDD, single or recurrent, based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5);
* Diagnosis of treatment-resistant depression defined as a baseline HamD-17 score \> 14 and have not responded to two or more separate trials of antidepressants at an adequate dosage and duration (an antidepressant resistance rating score of three or more is considered an adequate trial) based on the Antidepressant Treatment History Form (ATHF); there is no upper limit on the number of treatment failures;
* Ability to take oral medication;
* All bloodwork within normal limits or assessed as not clinically significant by study physicians and an eGFR above 40mL/min/1.73m2;
* Individuals who are capable of becoming pregnant: use of highly effective contraception for at least 1 month prior to screening and agreement to use such a method during study participation;
* Willing to and have tapered off current antidepressant and antipsychotic medications for a minimum of 2-weeks (or more depending on the medication) prior to baseline and for the duration of the study and whose physician confirms that it is safe for them to do so; AND
* Willing to and have tapered off current inhibitors of 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)1A9 and 1A10, aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors (ALDHs) and alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitors (ADHs) for a minimum of 2-weeks (or more depending on the medication) prior to baseline and for the duration of the study and whose physician confirms that it is safe for them to do so;

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant or individual's that intend to become pregnant during the study or are breastfeeding;
* Treatment with another investigational drug or other intervention within 30 days of screening;
* Have initiated psychotherapy in the preceding 12 weeks prior to screening;
* Have a DSM-5 diagnosis of substance use disorder (recreational use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and prescribed opioids are permitted) within the preceding 6-months;
* Have active suicidal ideation with intent and plan as determined by item 3 of the HamD-17;
* Any DSM-5 lifetime diagnosis of a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, psychotic disorder (unless substance induced or due to a medical condition), bipolar I or II disorder, paranoid personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, or neurocognitive disorder as determined by medical history and the SCID-5 clinical interview;
* Any first-degree relative with a diagnosis of schizophrenia-spectrum disorder; psychotic disorder (unless substance-induced or due to a medical condition); or bipolar I or II disorder;
* Presence of a relative or absolute contraindication to psilocybin, including a drug allergy, recent stroke history, uncontrolled hypertension, low or labile blood pressure, recent myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmic, severe coronary artery disease, or moderate to severe renal or hepatic impairment;
* Presence of baseline prolonged QTc or Torsade de Pointes as measured by the ECG or a history of long QTc syndrome or related risk factors;
* History of allergy or contraindication to risperidone including insulin-dependent diabetes, history of hypoglycemia on oral hypoglycemic agent(s)
* Lifetime use of serotonergic psychedelic drugs; OR
* Any other clinically significant physical illness including chronic infectious diseases or any other major concurrent illness that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with the interpretation of the study results or constitute a health risk for the participant if they take part in the study.

Where this trial is running

Toronto, Ontario

• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: M. Ishrat Husain, MBBS, MD — Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
• Study coordinator: M. Ishrat Husain, MBBS, MD (Res.)

Conditions Treatment-resistant Depression; Psilocybin; Psychedelics; Treatment-resistant depression; Clinical trial