Study of Neural Responses Induced by Antidepressants (SONRIsA)

STUDY BASICS

Have you been diagnosed with depression and are you currently depressed? Are you between the ages of 18-55? You may be able to participate in a research study designed to help understand the brain mechanisms involved in depression. Most study visits can be completed online or by phone. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Depression is a serious illness that affects more than 1 in 20 Americans. Symptoms of depression include feeling sad or hopeless, feeling tired or not having energy, changes in appetite or activity, and thoughts of death or suicide. The purpose of this study is to learn more about how the brain functions during an episode of depression. Researchers hope their findings will lead to a better understanding of how people with depression respond to antidepressant therapy.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Ages 18-55
• Diagnosed with depression and currently depressed
• No other major psychiatric diagnosis other than anxiety
• Not currently taking an antidepressant
• Not pregnant
• Willing and able to have an MRI scan

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Participation in the study takes between 1 and 24 hours and involves up to 10 in-person visits during flexible hours. Most visits can be completed online or by phone. At the initial 4-hour screening visit, you will complete an interview and questionnaires, and have urine, drug, and pregnancy tests. Qualified participants will be randomly assigned (like the flip of a coin) to receive either 8 weeks of a common antidepressant treatment or 8 weeks of placebo that will be taken by mouth. The placebo looks and tastes just like antidepressant but does not contain any antidepressant. In addition, at some of the visits, you will be randomly assigned to receive either a fast-acting antidepressant or a conventional antidepressant through an IV (intravenous) line in your arm. During the administration of the IV medication, you will also have an fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) scan. The fMRI is a non-invasive procedure that does not involve radiation. Participants in this study will also have multiple blood draws.