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Antidepressant

TS-161 for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Phase 2
Waitlist Available
Led By Carlos A Zarate, M.D.
Research Sponsored by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Participants must not have responded to at least one antidepressant
Have major depressive disorder.
Must not have
Participants who had a head injury that caused a loss of consciousness for more than 5 minutes (for the brain imaging)
Participants unwilling to stop undergoing one-on-one psychotherapy for the duration of the study
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up baseline, 230 min post-drug, and days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, and 21, per test session.

Summary

This trial tests TS-161, a new drug for adults aged 18-65 with treatment-resistant depression. TS-161 aims to improve mood by changing how brain cells communicate, without the severe side effects of similar drugs.

Who is the study for?
Adults aged 18-65 with major depressive disorder (MDD) who haven't improved after trying at least one antidepressant can join. They must understand the study, consent to it, be willing to stay in a hospital for tests, and avoid alcohol and drugs. Women must use contraception; men must use birth control during the study.
What is being tested?
The trial is testing TS-161's effectiveness on MDD symptoms compared to a placebo. Participants will stop their current meds, have a drug-free period, then take either TS-161 or placebo for three weeks each with breaks in between. Tests include interviews, physical exams, brain scans (MRI), mood/thinking tasks, and heart monitoring.
What are the potential side effects?
Potential side effects of TS-161 are not detailed here but may include typical antidepressant side effects such as nausea, headaches, sleep disturbances or changes in appetite. The trial includes close monitoring including blood tests and MRIs to ensure participant safety.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I have tried at least one antidepressant without success.
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I have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder.
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I have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder.
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I have tried an antidepressant that didn't work for me.
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I have been feeling depressed for at least 4 weeks.
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I am between 18 and 65 years old.
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I can take pills by mouth.
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I have been feeling depressed for at least 4 weeks.
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I am between 18 and 65 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I had a head injury that made me unconscious for over 5 minutes.
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I am willing to pause my one-on-one psychotherapy during the study.
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I have used ketamine or esketamine for depression without improvement.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~baseline, 230 min post-drug, and days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, and 21, per test session.
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline, 230 min post-drug, and days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, and 21, per test session. for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Change from baseline on Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total scores
Secondary study objectives
Change from baseline on MADRS total scores
Change from baseline on item 10 (suicidality) of the MADRS and total score on the C-SSRS, and the Scale for Suicidal Ideation (SSI).
Change from baseline on the HDRS, HAM-A, the PANAS, Snaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS), and the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS) scales.
+6 more

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: 2Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
Individuals in Arm 2 will receive daily double-blinded placebo for three weeks during Test Session 1 and daily double-blinded TS-161 for three weeks during Test Session 2.
Group II: 1Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
Individuals in Arm 1 will receive daily double-blinded TS-161 for three weeks during Test Session 1 and daily double-blinded placebo for three weeks during Test Session 2.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
TS-161 (50 - 100 mg)
2021
Completed Phase 2
~20

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.
Mechanism Of Action
Side Effect Profile
Prior Approvals
Other Research
Common treatments for depression include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These medications primarily work by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain, which are often imbalanced in depression. SSRIs and SNRIs prevent the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin and norepinephrine, respectively, making more of these chemicals available to improve mood. TCAs block the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine, while MAOIs inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which breaks down neurotransmitters. The potential rapid-acting antidepressant TS-161, being studied for treatment-resistant depression, may offer quicker symptom relief compared to traditional antidepressants, which typically take weeks to show effects. This rapid action is crucial for patients needing immediate relief from severe depressive symptoms.

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)Lead Sponsor
2,892 Previous Clinical Trials
2,722,774 Total Patients Enrolled
696 Trials studying Depression
260,785 Patients Enrolled for Depression
Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.Industry Sponsor
34 Previous Clinical Trials
5,055 Total Patients Enrolled
Carlos A Zarate, M.D.Principal InvestigatorNational Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
15 Previous Clinical Trials
18,998 Total Patients Enrolled
13 Trials studying Depression
16,979 Patients Enrolled for Depression

Media Library

TS-161 (Antidepressant) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT04821271 — Phase 2
Depression Research Study Groups: 1, 2
Depression Clinical Trial 2023: TS-161 Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT04821271 — Phase 2
TS-161 (Antidepressant) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT04821271 — Phase 2
~3 spots leftby Oct 2025