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Behavioral Intervention
Neurofeedback for Depression
N/A
Recruiting
Led By Kymberly Young, PhD
Research Sponsored by University of Pittsburgh
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial Must have
Be between 18 and 65 years old
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up baseline vs up to one year
Awards & highlights
Study Summary
This trial tests if training brain activity can reduce symptoms of depression without medication.
Who is the study for?
This trial is for adults aged 18-55 with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) who are either not on medication or have been stable on antidepressants for at least 4 weeks. Participants must be able to consent and complete questionnaires in English. Those with unstable health conditions, pregnant or breastfeeding women, individuals taking certain medications like antipsychotics or stimulants, and those with severe substance use disorders cannot join.Check my eligibility
What is being tested?
The study tests if a type of brain scan feedback called rtfMRI-nf can help people by increasing the amygdala's response to positive memories as a treatment for depression. Participants will receive either actual neurofeedback or sham (fake) feedback as part of the study.See study design
What are the potential side effects?
Since this trial involves non-invasive brain scans and feedback sessions without drugs, side effects may include discomfort from lying still during MRI scans, temporary headaches, dizziness after scanning sessions, and potential emotional distress.
Timeline
Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~ baseline vs up to one year
Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~baseline vs up to one year
Treatment Details
Study Objectives
Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.Primary outcome measures
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II)
Secondary outcome measures
Life Functioning Questionnaire (LFQ)
Other outcome measures
Autobiographical Memory Test
Trial Design
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: Amygdala real-time fMRI neurofeedbackExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Amygdala neurofeedback - attempt to upregulate the left amygdala during positive autobiographical memory recall via real time fMRI neurofeedback from the amygdala. Two sessions will be performed one week apart.
Group II: Sham feedbackPlacebo Group1 Intervention
Yoked sham - participants will see the amygdala activity of another subject who completed the intervention. Two sessions will be performed one week apart.
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Who is running the clinical trial?
University of PittsburghLead Sponsor
1,729 Previous Clinical Trials
16,307,290 Total Patients Enrolled
119 Trials studying Depression
33,876 Patients Enrolled for Depression
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)NIH
2,795 Previous Clinical Trials
2,689,020 Total Patients Enrolled
669 Trials studying Depression
252,448 Patients Enrolled for Depression
Kymberly Young, PhDPrincipal InvestigatorUniversity of Pittsburgh
1 Previous Clinical Trials
100 Total Patients Enrolled
1 Trials studying Depression
100 Patients Enrolled for Depression
Media Library
Eligibility Criteria:
This trial includes the following eligibility criteria:- I have been diagnosed with a psychotic, bipolar, or organic mental disorder.I have eye problems or trouble seeing even with glasses or contacts.I have been diagnosed with major depression and am currently feeling depressed.I cannot fill out forms in English.I am between 18 and 55 years old.I am not on antidepressants or have been stable on them for at least 4 weeks.I do not have any serious or unstable health conditions.I am not currently taking medications like antipsychotics or stimulants that affect brain blood flow.
Research Study Groups:
This trial has the following groups:- Group 1: Amygdala real-time fMRI neurofeedback
- Group 2: Sham feedback
Awards:
This trial has 0 awards, including:Timeline:
This trial has the following timeline:- Screening: It may take up to 3 Weeks to process to see if you qualify in this trial.
- Treatment: The duration you will receive the treatment varies.
- Follow Ups: You may be asked to continue sharing information regarding the trial for 6 Months after you stop receiving the treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.
Are the parameters of this clinical trial permissive to individuals 60 years and older?
"This trial is open to participants aged between 18 and 55 years old."
Answered by AI
Are there any open spots in this medical research experiment?
"Per the details on clinicaltrials.gov, patient recruitment is not being conducted for this trial at present. The study was first shared on May 1st 2023 and last updated on January 18th of the same year. In contrast to this experiment, there are presently 1278 other trials looking for participants."
Answered by AI
To whom is enrollment in this trial open?
"This research endeavour is seeking 200 participants, aged 18 to 55 and currently struggling with depression. To be eligible for the trial, patients must have a primary diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and provide written consent prior to participation; additionally, those already taking antidepressants should remain on their medication as effective treatments are not being discontinued for study purposes."
Answered by AI
Who else is applying?
What state do they live in?
New Brunswick
What site did they apply to?
University of Pittsburgh
What portion of applicants met pre-screening criteria?
Did not meet criteria
Met criteria
How many prior treatments have patients received?
0
3+
What questions have other patients asked about this trial?
How many trips to PA would I be required to make, and for what duration?
PatientReceived 1 prior treatment
Why did patients apply to this trial?
I've tried numerous antidepressants and they haven't really helped. be dealing with this for most of my life Would love something other then rx.
PatientReceived no prior treatments
I’ve been on several medications for years, none have helped very much. I suspect I suffer from C-PTSD, I quit my meds a few months ago and want to explore other treatments instead.
PatientReceived 2+ prior treatments
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