IL-17 and brain changes that link psoriatic disease to depressive symptoms
Evaluating the Role of IL-17 as an Orchestrator of Peripheral-central Cross Talk in Depressive Symptoms
We will test whether blocking the immune protein IL-17 in adults with psoriatic disease reduces brain inflammation and improves depressive symptoms.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 74 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | secukinumab, bimekizumab, Ixekizumab |
| Locations | 1 site (Glasgow, Scotland) |
| Trial ID | NCT06786936 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis who are starting IL-17–targeting biologics as part of routine care will undergo detailed brain imaging, blood immune profiling, and mood assessments before and after treatment. The study focuses on measuring glutamate concentration in the nucleus accumbens, functional connectivity metrics, and peripheral inflammatory markers to track biological changes with IL-17 antagonism. Clinical depressive symptoms will be collected alongside imaging and blood data to link biological signals to mood changes. Findings will compare treated participants and appropriate controls to identify mechanistic links between peripheral inflammation and brain circuitry.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 to under 75 with dermatologist- or rheumatologist-diagnosed psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis who are about to start secukinumab, bimekizumab, or ixekizumab and are able to have MRI scans.
Not a fit: People without psoriatic disease, those not eligible for IL-17 therapies, and anyone with contraindications to MRI are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, IL-17 blockade could reduce brain inflammation and lead to improved depressive symptoms for some people with psoriatic disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous preclinical and clinical work has linked peripheral cytokines and altered brain connectivity to depression and some biologic therapies have improved mood, but the specific IL-17–brain circuitry mechanism is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults ≥18 years \< 75years * Diagnosis of PsO or PsA, made by a dermatologist or rheumatologist. * Selected to start secukinumab/ bimekizumab/ Ixekizumab as part of their standard clinical care by their usual dermatology team for PsO or rheumatology clinical team for PsA in line with the license for secukinumab/ bimekizumab/ Ixekizumab and NICE/SMC criteria. * No contraindications to MRI (for example metal fragments or implantable devices not compatible with MRI. (no extra x-ray images will be obtained to check placement of metal fragments or clips insitu. Existing images may be used to check for possible contraindications) * Satisfactory completion of standard pre-biologic safety screening (including, but not limited to, exclusion of latent TB infection according to local protocol, chest X-ray, negative HIV screen, negative Hepatitis screen antibody, negative Hepatitis B surface antigen \[Hep B sAg\] and negative Hepatitis B anti-core antibody \[Hep B cAb\]) * Recent (but not within 4 weeks prior baseline) use of intra-muscular or intra-articular steroid injections * Women of Child-Bearing Potential (WoCBP) must be willing to use effective contraception for study duration. Further information is provided in appendix 1. * Willing to participate and give informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to provide written informed consent * Severe physical impairment (e.g., blindness, deafness, paraplegia). * Clinically important, active infections e.g. active TB * History of inflammatory bowel disease * Pregnant or breast feeding * Severe claustrophobia precluding MRI * Contraindications to 7T MRI (metal implants in the ears, head or neck, microbladed/ tattooed eyebrows, metal fragments in the eyes) * Confounding neurological disease including MS, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury * Previous exposure to IL-17A, IL-17A/F, IL-17R inhibitors or IL-23 p19/p40 inhibitors in the last 6 months * Hypersensitivity to any of the excipients in secukinumab/ bimekizumab/ ixekizumab. * Any reason which, at the investigator's discretion, would make them unsuitable to take part in the study.
Where this trial is running
Glasgow, Scotland
- Queen Elizabeth University Hospital — Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jonathan Cavanagh, MD, PhD — University of Glasgow
- Study coordinator: Maxine Arnott, BSc
- Email: maxine.arnott@glasgow.ac.uk
- Phone: 07890 059695
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.