Brain GABA Levels and Treatment Response in Major Depressive Disorder

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2009-09-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

This study will evaluate changes in brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels due to treatment with escitalopram in people with major depressive disorder.

• Phase: Phase 4
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital
• Collaborator: Mclean Hospital
• Treatments: Citalopram; Dexetimide

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Meet diagnostic criteria for current Major Depressive Disorder

• Men or women aged 18-65

• Medication-free for one week prior to the start of the study

• Agrees to use an effective form of contraception throughout the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Anyone who is suicidal

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women

• Anyone with a serious or unstable medical illness, including cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, respiratory, endocrine, neurologic or hematologic disease

• Anyone with a history of seizure disorder or hypothyroidism

• Anyone with a history of psychiatric disorders including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychoses, or substance abuse (including alcohol abuse active within the last 12 months)

• Anyone with a history of intolerance or multiple adverse drug reactions or allergy to (es)citalopram.

• Patients who are currently taking medications active on GABA, including benzodiazepines.