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Behavioral Intervention

Amygdala Neurofeedback for Depression

N/A

Recruiting

Led By Kymberly Young, PhD

Research Sponsored by University of Pittsburgh

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

must be able to give written informed consent prior to participation

must have a SHAPS score > 4, indicating the presence of anhedonia

Timeline

Screening 2 days

Treatment 2 weeks

Follow Up 3 months

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial will test whether training patients to increase their amygdala's response to positive memories can help treatment-resistant depression.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for right-handed adults aged 18-55 with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) who haven't improved after two SSRI treatments. Participants can be unmedicated or on a stable SSRI regimen, must experience anhedonia, and have difficulty recalling specific positive memories. Exclusions include other major psychiatric disorders, recent substance dependence, traumatic brain injury, MRI incompatibility (like claustrophobia), pregnancy, breastfeeding, non-English speakers, vision issues without correction, and certain unstable medical conditions.

What is being tested?

The study tests if neurofeedback using real-time fMRI can help patients with treatment-resistant depression by enhancing the amygdala's response to positive memories. It involves two types of neurofeedback: one targeting the parietal region and another focusing on the amygdala of the brain.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this trial uses neurofeedback through fMRI scanning rather than medication or invasive procedures, side effects are minimal but may include discomfort from staying still during scans or anxiety from being in a confined space like an MRI machine.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

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You have anhedonia. This means you are experiencing social withdrawl, you find diminshed pleasure from daily activites, you are less interested in previous hobbies, and you have a loss of libido.

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I am not on antidepressants or have been stable on SSRI antidepressants for at least 3 weeks.

Select...

I have tried two SSRI medications without success.

Timeline

Screening ~ 2 days0 visits

Treatment ~ 2 weeks2 visits

Follow Up ~ 3 months0 visits

Screening ~ 2 days

Treatment ~ 2 weeks

Follow Up ~3 months

This trial's timeline: 2 days for screening, 2 weeks for treatment, and 3 months for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II)

Secondary study objectives

Amygdala Activity

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Amygdala NeurofeedbackExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

attempt to up regulate the left amygdala during positive autobiographical memory recall via real time fMRI neurofeedback from the amygdala. Five sessions will be performed within a 2 month period.

Group II: Parietal NeurofeedbackActive Control1 Intervention

attempt to upregulate the left horizontal segment of the intraparietal sulcus, a region not involved in emotional processing, during positive autobiographical memory recall via real time fMRI neurofeedback. Five sessions will be performed within a 2 month period.

0 / 4Eligibility criteria met