Development of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Techniques for Studying Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Launched by NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH (NIMH) · Nov 7, 2006

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

**Trial Summary: Development of MRI Techniques for Mood and Anxiety Disorders**

This clinical trial is focused on improving MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) techniques to better understand mood and anxiety disorders, such as depression. Researchers believe that these conditions can lead to changes in the brain's structure and how it functions. By optimizing the way MRI scans are conducted, the study aims to explore how the brain behaves when individuals are asked to perform certain tasks. Both healthy volunteers and individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder may qualify to participate in this study.

If you or someone you know is interested in participating, eligible individuals need to be between 18 and 65 years old. Healthy participants should have no history of major psychiatric disorders, while those with major depression must meet specific diagnostic criteria. During the study, participants will undergo MRI scans to measure brain activity and blood flow, as well as neuropsychological tests to assess cognitive performance. These tests help researchers identify any subtle brain changes related to mood disorders. Participants can expect to watch images or respond to tasks during their scans and may be asked to return for additional sessions. Importantly, the study will take steps to ensure safety, such as screening for any medical conditions that may interfere with the MRI process.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• * INCLUSION CRITERIA:
• Healthy Controls:
• • Male and female subjects between 18 and 65 years of age
• • Subjects must be able to give written informed consent prior to participation in this study.
• • Subjects who do not currently meet and have never met criteria for any major psychiatric disorder, and who have no known first degree relatives with mood disorders.
• • For cognitive experiments utilizing language stimuli only native English speakers will be enrolled.
• Major Depressive Disorder:
• • Male and female subjects between 18 and 65 years of age.
• • Subjects have been found eligible for other ETPB research protocols according to 01-M-0254.
• • Subjects must fulfill DSM-IV or V criteria for Major Depression based on clinical assessment and confirmed by a structured diagnostic interview (SCID-P).
• • Subjects must be able to give written informed consent prior to participation in this study.
• • For cognitive experiments utilizing language stimuli, only native English speakers will be enrolled.
• EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
• Healthy Control:
• • Subjects with major medical or neurological disorders expected to influence cerebral blood flow or morphology, or taking any medication that is likely to influence the imaging parameters-of-interest within 3 weeks of scanning.
• • Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Subjects will undergo pregnancy testing no more than 24 hours prior to scanning.
• • Subjects with contraindication to MRI scanning such as aneurysm clips, implanted neural stimulator, implanted cardiac pacemaker or auto-defibrillator, cochlear implant, or ocular foreign body.
• • A history of drug or alcohol abuse within 1 year or a lifetime history of drug or alcohol dependence (DSM-IV) or alcohol use disorder (DSM-V equivalent).
• • A current NIMH employee/staff or their immediate family member.
• Major Depressive Disorder:
• • Presence of Axis 1 psychiatric diagnosis other than Major Depression or an Axis 2 disorder
• • Subjects with major medical or neurological disorders expected to influence cognitive function or are taking any drugs likely to affect mood or cognitive function within 1 week of study participation. Depressed subjects will not be tapered/withdrawn from medications under this study.
• • A history of drug or alcohol abuse within 1 year or a lifetime history of drug or alcohol dependence (DSM-IV) or alcohol use disorder (DSM-V equivalent).
• • A current NIMH employee/staff or their immediate family member
• • Subjects with major medical or neurological disorders expected to influence cerebral blood flow or morphology.
• • Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Subjects will undergo pregnancy testing no more than 24 hours prior to scanning.
• • Subjects with contraindication to MRI scanning such as aneurysm clips, implanted neural stimulator, implanted cardiac pacemaker or auto-defibrillator, cochlear implant, or ocular foreign body.