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Phase 1 N=153 Randomized Triple-blind Basic Science

An Investigation of Early Life Stress and Depression

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) · History of Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA)

Enrolled (actual)
153
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
May 2018
Primary outcome: Primary: Dopamine Active Transporter Binding Potential — 3.191; 3.161; 3.175; 3.216 Ratio

Study Design & Population

Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 1
Interventions
Amisulpride (Drug); Placebo (Drug)
Age
Adult · 20+ yrs
Sex
Female
Sponsor
Mclean Hospital
Primary completion
May 2017

Outcome Measures

OutcomeResultp-value
PRIMARY
Dopamine Active Transporter Binding Potential
3.191; 3.161; 3.175; 3.216; 3.361; 3.359
PRIMARY
The Effects of CSA and Diagnosis on PRT Performance Under Acute Stress
0.028; 0.117; 0.092; 0.167; 0.124; 0.155
PRIMARY
The Effect of Major Depressive Disorder and Childhood Abuse History on a Reward-related EEG Component (Reward Positivity Component) While Under Stress
2.71; 4.75; 2.16; 4.15; 2.06; 4.99
PRIMARY
Cortisol Output in Response to a Stress Manipulation
9.80; 12.53; 10.15; 14.19; 9.11; 12.28
PRIMARY
Effects on Major Depressive Disorder and Childhood Sexual Abuse History on Striatal Activity in Response to Neutral and Reward Cues
.514; .054; .511; .079; .403; .608
PRIMARY
Effects on Major Depressive Disorder and Childhood Sexual Abuse History on Striatal Activity in Response to Neutral and Reward Feedback
-.101; .040; -.197; -.905; -.819; -.773
PRIMARY
The Effect of Diagnosis on Cortisol Reactivity
156.58; 186.78; 152.13; 179.16

Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate brain pathways within adult females (with a history of CSA that occurred between the ages of 5-14) with and without a current diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD). Hypotheses: The CSA/MDD participants will be characterized by (1) reduced reward responsiveness and prefrontal cortex activity, but increased cortisol levels, (2) reduced dopamine activity, and (3) reduced dopamine transporter binding. The over-arching purpose of the study is to (1) identify individuals at risk for psychopathology and maladaptive behavior, (2) prevent re-victimization, and (3) develop more targeted therapeutic interventions.

Eligibility Criteria

General Inclusion Criteria:

  • Females of all ethnic origins, age between 20 and 45; right-handed (Chapman & Chapman 1987);
  • Absence of any psychotropic medications for at least 2 weeks (6 weeks for fluoxetine; 6 months for neuroleptics; 2 weeks for benzodiazepines; 2 weeks for any other antidepressants);

Inclusion Criteria for Childhood Sexual Abuse/MDD (CSA/MDD) Group:

  • At least one incident of contact sexual abuse1 between the ages 5-14 years;
  • Current DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for MDD (as diagnosed with the use of the SCID);

Inclusion Criteria for Childhood Sexual Abuse/Resilient (CSA/RES) Group:

  • At least one incident of contact sexual abuse1 between the ages 5-14 years;
  • Absence of past or current DSM diagnosis, including MDD or alcohol/substance abuse;

Inclusion Criteria for Non-traumatized, MDD (MDD) Group:

  • No incidents of sexual, verbal, or physical abuse (ascertained using the Traumatic Antecedents Questionnaire);
  • Current DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for MDD (as diagnosed with the use of SCID);

Non-traumatized, healthy controls (controls):

  • No incidents of sexual, verbal, or physical abuse (ascertained using the Traumatic Antecedents Questionnaire);
  • Absence of any medical, neurological, and psychiatric illness (including alcohol/substance abuse)

Exclusion Criteria

  • Participants with suicidal ideation where study participation is deemed unsafe by the study clinician;
  • Pregnant women or women of childbearing potential who are not compliant with the requirements of a urine and blood pregnancy test.
  • Failure to meet MRI or PET safety requirements.
  • Serious or unstable medical illness, including cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, respiratory, endocrine (hypothyroidism), neurologic or hematologic disease;
  • Past/current DSM diagnosis of: OCD, ADHD, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, bipolar disorder, mood congruent/incongruent psychotic features, substance dependence, substance abuse within the last 12 months (with the exception of cocaine or stimulant abuse, which will lead to automatic exclusion);
  • Simple phobia, social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorders will be allowed only if secondary to MDD and only in the CSA/MDD and MDD groups (which will be matched for comorbidities);
  • History of seizure disorder; renal insufficiency; history of adverse reactions to amisulpride;
  • History of cocaine, stimulant, and other DA drug use [e.g., (meth)amphetamine), methylphenidate].
View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01701258). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.

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