Neurofeedback to Treat Depression

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · Dec 21, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, titled "Neurofeedback to Treat Depression," is exploring a new treatment for people with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The study aims to help reduce negative thinking patterns that can make depression worse by using a method called real-time fMRI neurofeedback. This technique involves monitoring brain activity and providing feedback to participants, helping them focus on positive thoughts during therapy sessions. The trial is currently looking for participants aged 18 to 65 who meet specific criteria, such as having a confirmed diagnosis of MDD and a certain level of depression severity.

If you or someone you know is interested in participating, you would need to be able to read and understand English, provide consent, and have normal cognitive function. However, there are some restrictions; for example, pregnant women and those currently taking antidepressant medication or in therapy cannot join. Participants can expect to engage in sessions that include brain monitoring and feedback to help improve their mental health. This study is a promising step towards finding new ways to treat depression, and participants will be contributing to important research that could benefit many people in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • gender, inclusive
• • adult aged 18 - 65 meets Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria for MDD according to the Clinician-Administered MDD Scale for DSM-5 (unipolar depression or bipolar II depressed)
• • scores at least a minimum score of 16 on Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
• • normal cognition
• • participants must be able to read and understand English
• • participants must be able to provide consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • pregnancy (female participants)
• • outside age range
• • MRI contraindications (medical implant, claustrophobia, etc.)
• • use of psychoactive medication (including antidepressants) or currently in therapy
• • neurological disorder or any condition that in the view of the PI could impact brain data, cause depression, require medication that could cause depressive symptoms, or otherwise result in participant being unfit for study (for example, co-morbid psychotic, neurological disorders, developmentally or cognitively disabled/impaired, active alcohol or drug abuse/dependence within the past 6 months).
• • non-English speaking
• • non-correctable vision loss
• • refusal to provide informed consent
• • representing an active suicide risk