NEMO Late-Life Depression Study

STUDY BASICS

Are you age 60 or older and currently experiencing symptoms of depression? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study designed to help learn more about brain function during treatment with antidepressant medication. Some study visits may be completed remotely. Compensation and parking provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Many older adults struggle with depression, but there has been little research into which medications work best later in life. Symptoms of depression include feeling sad or hopeless, feeling tired or not having energy, changes in appetite or activity, changes in sleep patterns, and thoughts of death or suicide.

The purpose of this study is to provide antidepressant medication to older adults who are struggling with depression, and to use brain scans (without the use of radiation) to learn more about changes that occur in the brain over the course of treatment. Assessing brain responses early in treatment may allow researchers to predict how well a person will respond to antidepressant medication. Researchers hope their findings will allow healthcare providers in the future to provide individualized treatment plans that work more quickly and are more effective for older adults with depression.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Ages 60 and up
• Currently experiencing symptoms of depression (ex., feeling sad or hopeless, feeling tired or not having energy, changes in appetite or activity, changes in sleep patterns, and/or thoughts of death or suicide)
• May or may not be currently taking antidepressant medication
• No history of stroke
• Not diagnosed with dementia
• No current diagnosis of epilepsy
• Have never been told by a medical professional that you have bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) or schizophrenia
• No treatment for alcohol or substance abuse within the past 3 months
• No non-removable, magnetic metal in body (hearing aids and piercings are permitted)
• Willing and able to undergo MRI scanning

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Participation in this study lasts 14-20 weeks and includes multiple visits. Some study visits may be completed remotely. During an initial screening, participants will have a clinical evaluation, cognitive testing, lab tests that include a blood draw and urine collection, and an echocardiogram (EKG).

If you qualify for the study and want to continue, you will be randomly assigned (like the flip of a coin) to receive one of two FDA-approved antidepressant medications, Lexapro or Fetzima.

During the study, you will also have weekly visits, complete questionnaires, and have at least 4 fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) scans. fMRI is a type of brain scan that shows the parts of your brain that are active when you are thinking about different things. The scan does not use injections, radioactivity, or x-rays.