Long-term Potentiation Disruption Underlying Cognitive Impairment in ECT (LTP-DUCIECT Trial)

Palo Alto (17 mi)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May be covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: N/A

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of New Mexico

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?Cognitive problems, like memory loss, are common after brain injuries like trauma or stroke. These problems make daily life harder, and we don't yet know the best ways to help the brain recover. Scientists think that a process in the brain called long-term potentiation (LTP) is important for memory and learning. When LTP isn't working properly, it may cause problems with thinking and memory. But studying LTP in people is hard because it happens deep inside the brain. Our research uses a treatment called electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to better understand LTP. ECT is a treatment for severe depression that works by causing a controlled seizure in the brain. While ECT often helps depression, it can temporarily cause memory and thinking problems, which usually improve over time. This makes ECT a good way to study how thinking and memory recover. We will use a tool called electroencephalography (EEG) to measure brain activity during different stages of ECT treatment. EEG is a safe and non-invasive way to track changes in LTP. Specifically, we will measure how the brain responds to visual signals using something called visual evoked potentials (VEPs). These signals can show how LTP is affected by ECT. Our study's main goal is to track changes in LTP using VEPs during and after ECT. By studying these changes, we hope to learn how ECT affects the brain and how it recovers. This could help improve treatments for brain injuries and other conditions that cause memory and thinking problems.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1) diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD; with or without psychotic features) or bipolar 2 most recent episode depressed; 2) clinical indications for ECT with right unilateral electrode placement including treatment resistance or a need for a rapid and definitive response, 3) age range adults 18-85 years, and 4) English-speaking (many of the neuropsychological tests are only available in English). Antidepressant medications will be continued as clinically indicated. To maintain feasibility and retention, as needed medications will be permitted for anxiety and insomnia.