Investigating dopamine changes in healthy and depressed individuals

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study aims to explore the role of dopamine in major depressive disorder (MDD) by examining how common antidepressants affect dopamine synthesis in the brain. Using advanced imaging techniques like positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the research will assess reward-specific changes in dopamine levels among depressed patients compared to healthy individuals. The study will involve administering two different antidepressants, Bupropion and Escitalopram, to evaluate their differential effects on the reward system. The findings could provide insights into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying depression and treatment responses.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Male and female subjects aged between 18-65 years of age
* Depressive patients: DSM-IV diagnosis of MDD following SCID I, HDRS29, MADRS and BDI-II
* Satisfactory general health as determined by past medical history, physical examination, vital signs at screening
* Vital signs measured after 3 minutes resting in the supine position must be within the following ranges: oral body temperature between 35.0-37.5 °C, systolic blood pressure 90-140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure 50-90 mm Hg, pulse rate 40-100 bpm
* Subjects must weigh 50-100 kg to participate in this study with a BMI within 19-26.
* Sufficient visual and auditory performance for neuropsychological testing
* Written informed consent will be obtained prior to the start of any study procedures. Therefore, willingness and competence to sign the informed consent form is needed.
* Potential patients must be able to communicate well with the investigator and comply with the requirements of the study
* Only participants who are legally authorized to give informed consent will be included in the present study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Depressed patients: Presence of any severe / unstable neurological, somatic or psychiatric comorbidity
* Healthy controls: Any psychiatric disease or any severe / unstable neurological or somatic disease
* Presence of psychotic symptoms
* Acute suicidality
* Any contraindication for magnetic resonance or PET imaging
* Presence of any metallic implant in the head
* History of clinically significant drug allergy; history of atopic allergy (asthma, urticaria, eczematous dermatitis). A known hypersensitivity to one of the study drugs or multiple study drugs (known hypersensitivity to bupropion, escitalopram)
* Other clinically significant abnormality on physical, neurological, or laboratory examination or on electrocardiogram (ECG) that, in the opinion of the investigator precludes the patient from the study
* Ingestion of antidepressants or other psychotropic agents within the last 6 months Previous escitalopram- or bupropion intake
* Antidepressive trials wit DBS, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or Ketamine
* Current smoking, substance abuse including alcohol, drugs of abuse, or any medication in a manner which is indicative of substance-related disorders (e.g. substance dependency) according to DSM-IV
* Failure to comply with the study protocol or follow the instructions of the investigators
* Positive urine pregnancy test
* Known pregnancy or lactation
* MRI scan that shows evidence of stroke, infarct, or other space occupying lesion or structural abnormality
* History of any other drug or alcohol abuse or misuse
* Participation in any clinical investigation within 12 weeks prior to dosing
* Evidence from an Allen test of incomplete communication between the radial and ulnar artery, in either hand
* Significant radiation exposure (\>5 mSv) in the frame of participation in trials within the past 10 years

Where it's running

• Medical University of Vienna
  Vienna, Austria Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Rupert Lanzenberger, Univ.-Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dr.
• Email: rupert.lanzenberger@meduniwien.ac.at
• Phone: +43 1 40400 35760

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Emotional Reactivity in Severe Alcohol Use Disorder and Depression Using Eye-Tracking and Physiological Measures

  This study tests how people with severe alcohol use disorder, major depressive disorder, both conditions, or neither, recognize and react to emotions using eye-tracking and physiological data.

  Recruiting Université Catholique de Louvain · Brussels, Belgium · NCT07925281

• Temporally Interfering Electrical Stimulation for Major Depressive Disorder

  This study tests whether noninvasive temporally interfering electrical stimulation can help people with major depressive disorder.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Tianjin Medical University General Hospital · Fuzhou, Fujian and 1 other locations · NCT07924917

• Affective Cognitive Training for mood disorders and their close relatives

  A six-week program combining virtual reality and computer exercises tests whether affective cognitive training helps people with mood disorders and their unaffected first-degree relatives.

  Recruiting Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital · Frederiksberg, Capital Region of Denmark · NCT07920302

• ALKS 7290 added to antidepressants for adults with major depression

  This study tests whether ALKS 7290, taken with current antidepressants, helps adults with major depressive disorder.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Alkermes, Inc. · Jacksonville, Florida · NCT07901179

• French Minds: a French, Multimodal Cohort Study of Severe Psychiatric Disorders and Healthy Controls

  This study tests whether people with mood, psychotic, or autism disorders can be grouped into more similar subtypes based on social withdrawal and anhedonia, across ages 15 to 60.

  Recruiting at 10 sites Fondation FondaMental · Besançon and 16 other locations · NCT07881016

• EEG-Guided TMS for Adults With Depression

  This study tests whether delivering intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) timed to brain waves using EEG can improve treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not responded to usual antidepressants.

  Recruiting Mayo Clinic · Rochester, Minnesota · NCT07862205

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.