Using MRI to predict electroconvulsive therapy success in depressed adolescents

Multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based Study of Electroconvulsive Efficacy Prediction in Adolescents With Depression: a Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study

This study is testing if brain scans can help predict how well electroconvulsive therapy works for teenagers with major depression compared to those getting regular medication.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 180 (estimated)
• Ages: 13 Years to 18 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Chongqing, Province)
• Trial ID: NCT05889234 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This multicenter, prospective observational study aims to investigate brain imaging changes in adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) before and after receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Participants will be divided into two groups: one receiving modified ECT and the other receiving conventional drug therapy, with a healthy control group also included. The study will utilize advanced MRI techniques at four time points to assess brain structure and function, alongside clinical evaluations and safety assessments. The primary focus is on treatment remission and response rates, with secondary outcomes including quality of life and anxiety symptoms.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 13-18 diagnosed with major depressive disorder who meet specific clinical criteria.

Not a fit: Patients with serious medical or neurological conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could help predict which adolescents with depression are most likely to benefit from electroconvulsive therapy.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on ECT and depression, this specific multimodal MRI approach is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria for the modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) and non-modified electroconvulsive therapy (Non-MECT) groups:

1. Age 13-18 years.
2. Meeting a diagnosis of depression (MDD) from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) based the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL).
3. A score of ≥40 on the Childhood Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R).
4. Adequate audiovisual level to be able to complete this study.
5. Signed informed consent and signed by the subject and guardian.

Healthy control group inclusion criteria.

1. Age 13-18 years.
2. Sufficient audio-visual level to be able to complete the study.
3. Signed informed consent form and signed by the subject and guardian.

Exclusion criteria for the modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) and non-modified electroconvulsive therapy (Non-MECT) groups:

1. The presence or previous presence of a serious medical, neurological or psychiatric condition (except in patients with MDD; anxiety co-morbidity is not considered an exclusion criterion, provided that MDD is the primary diagnosis and the main reason for seeking life-saving treatment).
2. Patients who have received electroconvulsive therapy within the last 12 months.
3. Patients with a history of substance, drug abuse.
4. Contraindications to anaesthesia or MRI.
5. Lactating women or pregnant women.
6. Left-handedness.

Exclusion criteria for healthy controls:

1. Presence or previous serious medical, neurological or psychiatric illness.
2. Patients with a history of substance or drug abuse.
3. Contraindications to MRI.
4. Lactating women or pregnant women.
5. Left-handedness.

Where this trial is running

Chongqing, Province

• The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University — Chongqing, Province, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Xinyu Zhou

Conditions Major Depressive Disorder; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Electroconvulsive Therapy; adolescent MDD; MECT; Multimodal MRI