Using gamma oscillations to predict ketamine therapy outcomes in depression
Official title: Gamma Oscillations as a Prognostic Marker for Ketamine Therapy in Treatment Resistant Depression
Run by Texas A&M University · NCT06480201 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if brain activity measured during ketamine treatment can help predict how well it will work for people with depression that hasn't responded to other treatments.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 21 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Texas A&M University Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Houston, Texas and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 1, 2024 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | September 15, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06480201 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 21-45 with a confirmed diagnosis of major depressive disorder and a history of treatment resistance.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with major depressive disorder who do not meet the criteria for treatment resistance or those outside the specified age range may not benefit from this study.
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 investigate the use of gamma oscillations measured through electroencephalography (EEG) as a prognostic marker for treatment outcomes in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) undergoing ketamine therapy. By analyzing the relationship between ketamine-induced gamma band potentiation and antidepressant symptom reduction, the study seeks to enhance the understanding of how neural circuitry responds to treatment. The research will involve administering ketamine and saline to participants while monitoring their EEG activity to assess the potential of gamma oscillations as a biomarker for predicting treatment efficacy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved prediction of treatment responses for patients with treatment-resistant depression, allowing for more personalized and effective therapeutic strategies.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of EEG biomarkers in predicting treatment outcomes is an emerging field, this specific approach focusing on gamma oscillations in the context of ketamine therapy is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. General * The criteria for eligibility described here are intended to protect patient welfare where, for example, the administration of ketamine in the context of standardized research (i.e. pharmaco-EEG challenge) would be inadvisable or unsafe. An additional purpose is to decrease psychiatric co-morbidities that may affect the clinical phenomenology or treatment response and thus obscure findings. Further, by virtue of the eligibility criteria the investigators seek to limit variability due to demographic and other factors. 2. All subjects Inclusion Criteria: * Male or Female ages 21-45, inclusive. * Level of understanding sufficient to agree to all tests and examinations required by the protocol. 3. TRD patients * Major depressive disorder (MDD) diagnosis confirmed by MINI, with major depressive episode of at least 4 weeks duration. * MADRS score of 27 or greater. * Meet criteria for treatment resistance, defined as 2+ unsuccessful trials of antidepressants at an adequate dose for at least 6 weeks. * On a stable dose of all psychotropic medications (including antidepressant, antipsychotic, lithium, hypnotic, etc) for a minimum of 4 weeks prior to the Screening period. 4. MDD patients * MDD diagnosis confirmed by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), with major depressive episode of at least 4 weeks duration. * MADRS score of less than or equal to 12. * On a stable dose of all psychotropic medications (including antidepressant, antipsychotic, lithium, hypnotic, etc) for a minimum of 4 weeks prior to the Screening period. Exclusion Criteria: * History of MDD with psychotic features, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, currently exhibiting psychotic features, or a first-degree relative with a psychotic disorder. * Diagnosed with intellectual disability. * Current major medical problems that affect brain anatomy, neurochemistry, or function, e.g., liver insufficiency, kidney insufficiency, cardiovascular problems, (unstable Arrhythmias, Chronic Heart Failure, Myocardial Infarction (MI) cardiac pacemaker), systemic infections, cancer, active upper respiratory infections, respiratory depression and any brain disorder (seizure disorder, stroke, dementia, degenerative neurologic diseases), and head injury with loss of consciousness for any period of time. * Pregnancy or Breast-feeding. All female participants in reproductive age will undergo pregnancy tests. Female participants will be required to provide evidence of use of contraceptives during the course of the study. * Unable to understand the design and requirements of the study. * Unable to sign the informed consent for any reason. * Patients with a severe personality disorder, including risk for homicide or aggressive behavior, which in the opinion of the investigator has a major impact on the patients' current psychiatric status and would preclude safe study participation. * Patients at serious and imminent risk of suicide and not suitable for an outpatient study, in the judgment of the investigators. * Patients taking medications with known activity at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) or α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPA) glutamate receptor \[eg, riluzole, amantadine, lamotrigine, memantine, topiramate, dextromethorphan, D-cycloserine\], or the mu-opioid receptor. * Previous exposure to ketamine or esketamine. * Patients starting hormonal treatment (e.g., estrogen) in the 3 months prior to screening. * Patients with no regular contact with at least one adult. Patients who are un-domiciled are excluded. * Body mass index (BMI) \>=40 kg/m2. * Active eating disorder or cognitive deficit affecting the regulation of food intake. * Current or recent course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) (past month). * History of deep brain stimulation (DBS), vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) implantation, or other form of psychosurgery * Recently started cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) (past month). * Patients taking \>6mg/day lorazepam (benzodiazepine)-equivalents. Patients with lower and/or infrequent use of benzodiazepines will be required to discontinue their dose on the morning (noting that this is already per protocol at the partner ketamine clinic). * Patients taking prescription opioids. Over the counter pain medications are proscribed on infusion days. * Dietary supplements affecting central nervous system (CNS) function will be discontinued before the study start. This will include supplementation of glutamate, serotonin (e.g. 5-hydroxytryptophan(HTP), St. John's Wort), creatine, γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA). * Patients habitually consuming legal cannabis products containing cannabidiol (CBD) or delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). * The participant has a known ketamine allergy or is taking any medication that may interact with ketamine.
Where it's running
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Wells Medicine
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Texas A&M (Houston Methodist Hospital Location)
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Julia Engelhardt
- Email: epmadlab@tamu.edu
- Phone: 7136777595
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Mindfulness‑augmented brain stimulation for treatment‑resistant depression
This trial will test whether combining fast brain stimulation (iTBS) with a digital mindfulness program helps people with treatment‑resistant depression reduce symptoms and improve thinking.
-
Adding ketamine to ECT for treatment-resistant depression
This trial will test whether giving IV ketamine during ECT helps adults with treatment-resistant major depression get better faster and have fewer thinking problems.
-
Maintenance treatment using rTMS for depression
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This study is testing if deep brain stimulation can help people with severe depression who haven't found relief from regular treatments by looking for brain signals that could predict their mood changes.
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This study is trying to learn more about how people with depression and bipolar disorder respond to treatment by talking to them weekly for up to 12 weeks to improve future care and predict how well medications might work.
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.