Dopamine Modulation of Motivation and Motor Function in Major Depression & Inflammation
Status:
Not yet recruiting
Trial end date:
2025-10-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
A large body of evidence on depression heterogeneity point to an "immunometabolic" subtype
characterized by the clustering of immunometabolic dysregulations with atypical behavioral
symptoms related to energy homeostasis. Motivational and motor impairments reflected by
symptoms of anhedonia and psychomotor retardation in major depression are closely related to
alterations in energy homeostasis, are associated with increased inflammation, and may be a
direct consequence of the impact of inflammatory cytokines on the dopamine system in the
brain. In the proposed project, the investigators will examine the effect of dopamine
stimulation on motivation and motor function in patients with major depression and healthy
controls and the role of inflammation using a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled,
cross-over design. If successful, this study would provide crucial evidence that
pharmacologic strategies that increase dopamine may effectively treat inflammation-related
symptoms of anhedonia and psychomotor retardation in major depression.
Phase:
N/A
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Charite University, Berlin, Germany
Collaborators:
Dr. Ulrike Grittner Motognosis GmbH Prof. Dr. Soyoung Q Park Prof. Dr. Stefan M. Gold