Matter Neuroscience App for Depression

Overseen By Noriah Johnson

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Stanford University

Must be taking: SSRIs

Disqualifiers: Severe MDD, Claustrophobia, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 months

240 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests an app called Matter Neuroscience to determine if it can assist people with depression through neurofeedback—a method that helps users understand brain activity related to positive emotions. The trial aims to assess the app's safety and effectiveness, paving the way for further studies. It includes different groups with varying levels of app interaction, such as using stock or personal photos, and some participants will engage in home training. The trial is best suited for individuals with depression who have not responded well to one SSRI medication and experience moderate symptoms. Participants need an iPhone with iOS 17 or higher to join. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could lead to new treatment options for depression.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it mentions that participants should have depression resistant to a single SSRI (a type of antidepressant), so you might need to continue with that medication.

What prior data suggests that the Matter Neuroscience App is safe for treating depression?

Research shows that the Matter Neuroscience App is undergoing tests for safety and effectiveness in managing depression. Earlier studies have examined user-friendliness and mood improvement. Although detailed information on side effects is limited, the app is non-invasive, not involving medication, which often results in fewer side effects compared to drug treatments.

The app employs neurofeedback, providing users with real-time information about their brain activity to help them understand and manage emotions better. This method remains under study, so detailed safety information is not yet available. However, as a mobile app rather than a medication, it is generally expected to be safe. Additional studies are underway to ensure its safety and support future clinical trials. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Matter Neuroscience App for depression because it offers a unique combination of neurofeedback and personalized content. Unlike traditional treatments like antidepressants or cognitive behavioral therapy, this app explores how real-time brain activity feedback combined with personal or stock images can potentially improve mental health. Additionally, the app evaluates the impact of home-based training, which could make treatment more accessible and convenient. By incorporating these innovative approaches, researchers hope to discover more effective and flexible ways to manage depression.

What evidence suggests that the Matter Neuroscience App could be effective for treating depression?

Research has shown that the Matter Neuroscience App, available to participants in this trial, can boost positive feelings in people with depression. Some early studies suggested that using the app might even change brain structure in ways that increase happiness. Data from these studies indicated a noticeable improvement in life satisfaction and mood after six weeks of using the app. This improvement likely occurs because the app educates users about positive emotions and the brain chemicals involved. Additionally, the app's approach aligns with findings that link positive emotions to better mental health. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Christopher Austelle, MD

Principal Investigator

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults aged 18-80 with depression resistant to single-SSRI treatment, scoring 20-34 on the MADRS scale. Participants must understand English, provide consent, and commit to study procedures. They need an iPhone with iOS 17 or higher but can't join if they don't meet these requirements.

Inclusion Criteria

I can read and understand English well enough to follow study instructions and communicate with the study team.

I own an iPhone with iOS 17 or newer.

I am between 18 and 80 years old.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in neurofeedback sessions using the Matter Neuroscience app, with variations in home training, neurofeedback, and photo usage across different arms

12 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment using the MADRS scale

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Matter Neuroscience App

Trial Overview The study tests the Matter Neuroscience App's effectiveness in teaching users about positive emotions and neurotransmitters related to them as a treatment for depression. It includes fMRI neurofeedback sessions using personal or stock photos, with some participants receiving home training.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Arm 7. Home training, neurofeedback, personal photos, repeated scans Experimental Treatment 0 Interventions

Home training, neurofeedback, personal photos, repeated scans

Group II: Arm 6. Home training, no neurofeedback, personal photos, repeated scans Experimental Treatment 0 Interventions

Home training, no neurofeedback, personal photos, repeated scans

Group III: Arm 5. Home training, neurofeedback, stock photos, repeated scans Experimental Treatment 0 Interventions

Home training, neurofeedback, stock photos, repeated scans

Group IV: Arm 4. Home training, no neurofeedback, stock photos, repeated scans Experimental Treatment 0 Interventions

Home training, no neurofeedback, stock photos, repeated scans

Group V: Arm 3. No home training, neurofeedback, personal photos, repeated scans Experimental Treatment 0 Interventions

No home training, neurofeedback, personal photos, repeated scans

Group VI: Arm 2. No home training, neurofeedback, stock photos, repeated scans Experimental Treatment 0 Interventions

No home training, neurofeedback, stock photos, repeated scans

Group VII: Arm 1B. No home training no neurofeedback, repeated scans Experimental Treatment 0 Interventions

No home training no neurofeedback, repeated scans

Group VIII: Arm 1A. No home training, no neurofeedback, no photos, no repeated scans (Standard of Care Active Control 1 Intervention

No home training, no neurofeedback, no photos, no repeated scans (Standard of Care

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Stanford University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,527

Recruited

17,430,000+

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-depression-2-2025-9ca3a

Matter Neuroscience App for Depression Trial Overview The study tests the Matter Neuroscience App's effectiveness in teaching users about positive emotions and neurotransmitters ...

2. matter.xyz matter.xyz/static/matter-white-paper.pdf

A new framework for understanding human happiness Preliminary data suggests that consistent engagement with the Matter app during the leverage phase may result in adaptive changes in neural structure and ...

3. matter.xyz matter.xyz/static/matter-fictive-kin-paper.pdf

Matter app significantly improves life evaluation and ... These data suggest the validity of the Matter protocol underlying the Matter score and confirms a positive link between positive emotions and subjective ...

4. matter.xyz matter.xyz/science

Matter Neuroscience Matter app significantly improves life evaluation and positive affect in Matter game participants after six weeks ... depression treatment. Our insights ...

5. bsl.stanford.edu bsl.stanford.edu/clinical-trials/

Clinical Trials - Brain Stimulation Lab This study evaluates the safety and feasibility of using real-time functional MRI neurofeedback techniques to treat major depressive disorder. Leveraging a high ...

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06735885

fMRI Neurofeedback With Matter Neuroscience App We hope to learn the safety and efficacy of neurofeedback for treating depression and lay the groundwork for a pivotal clinical trial.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11443057/

Evaluating a mobile app's effects on depression and ... This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a mobile application designed to address these symptoms in individuals ...

8. news.stanford.edu news.stanford.edu/stories/2025/06/ai-mental-health-care-tools-dangers-risks

New study warns of risks in AI mental health tools AI therapy chatbots may fall short of human care and risk reinforcing stigma or offering dangerous responses.

9. trialstoday.org trialstoday.org/trial/NCT06735885

fMRI Neurofeedback With Matter Neuroscience App We hope to learn the safety and efficacy of neurofeedback for treating depression and lay the groundwork for a pivotal clinical trial.