Presynaptic Imaging in Major Depressive Episodes After COVID-19

Launched by CENTRE FOR ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH · Oct 15, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how some people experience ongoing depression and other mental health symptoms after having a mild to moderate COVID-19 infection. Specifically, the study focuses on those who develop what is called a major depressive episode (MDE) within three months of their COVID-19 diagnosis. The researchers want to understand these symptoms better to help improve care for individuals facing these challenges after recovering from COVID-19.

To participate in the trial, individuals must be between the ages of 18 and 75 and have experienced a new episode of depression following their COVID-19 illness. Importantly, participants should not have taken certain medications like antidepressants or stimulants in the month before joining the study. Those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have specific medical conditions may not be eligible. If you join, you can expect to undergo assessments that help the researchers learn more about your mental health and how it relates to your COVID-19 experience. This is an important study that aims to provide better understanding and support for people dealing with mental health issues after COVID-19.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • New onset MDE within 3 months after mild or moderate COVID-19, with MDE verified by the research version SCID for DSM 5. See "Positive COVID-19 diagnosis" listed after inclusion/exclusion criteria for a description of how this is determined.
• • Age 18 to 75.
• • Good general physical health with no active medical conditions based on self-report (except migraine or PASC).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Use of antidepressants in the previous month (6 weeks for fluoxetine).
• • Use of stimulant medication affecting dopamine release in the previous month
• • Use of antipsychotics in the previous month
• • History of neurological disease (except migraine, and PASC) based on self-report
• • Use of medications or herbal products or natural health products with central nervous system effects in past 2 weeks based on self-report
• • Presence of cigarette smoking in the past two months, based on self-report
• • Lifetime diagnosis of severe Substance or Alcohol Use Disorder, or diagnosis of mild to moderate Substance or Alcohol Use Disorder in the past two years, based on self-report and verified by the Research Version of Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 (SCID-5-RV)
• • Use of recreational drugs, including marijuana, in the past two months, based on self-report and verified by the Research Version of Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 (SCID-5-RV)
• • Positive urine drug or cotinine screen at any timepoint during the study
• • History of psychotic symptoms secondary to schizophrenia, schizophreniform, bipolar disorder, or brief psychotic disorder prior to COVID-19, based on self-report and verified by the Research Version of Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 (SCID-5-RV)
• • Currently pregnant, based on self-report or positive pregnancy test at any timepoint during the study, in females (in our PET Centre females up to 65 years of age are given a urine pregnancy test prior to every PET scan)
• • Breastfeeding (for females)
• • Current disorders of coagulation, blood or ongoing use of anticoagulant medication, based on self-report
• • Claustrophobia, based on self-report
• • Weight over 400lbs and height over 7ft (requirements for fitting in the scanners and hospital gowns)
• • Presence of metal implant, object or electrical devices that are contraindicated for MRI, based on self-report
• • Severe allergic reaction to alcohol