Depression clinical trials in Seattle

The overall goal of the study is to determine if treatment of a Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) improves the outcomes of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We showed that MDD is present in 25% of CKD patients and independently associated with progression to End-Stage Kidney Disease, hospitalization, and death. Depression is also associated with lower quality of life (QOL), fatigue, poor sleep, and non-adherence to diet and medications. However, evidence for efficacy and tolerability of commonly-used antidepressant medications or nonpharmacologic treatments are limited in CKD patients. Our group was the first to conduct a double-blind randomized controlled trial for MDD treatment in 201 patients with non-dialysis CKD, and showed that sertraline, a commonly used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), was no more efficacious than placebo for improving depressive symptoms. It becomes imperative to test novel strategies to treat MDD in CKD. We propose to compare with a control group, the efficacy and tolerability of two novel treatment strategies - (1) Behavioral Activation Teletherapy (BAT) for 16 weeks, with the addition of bupropion, a non-SSRI antidepressant, at 8 weeks for patients whose depression has not remitted (non-remitters); and (2) bupropion for 16 weeks, with the addition of BAT at 8 weeks for non-remitters. In Aim 1, we will investigate the efficacy and tolerability of these 2 strategies vs. control for improvement in a primary endpoint of depressive symptoms in 201 patients (67 per group) with CKD stages 3b-5 and MDD at 2 sites, randomized 1:1:1 to either strategy or a control group of Clinical Management plus placebo. We hypothesize that either approach vs. control will result in a minimal clinically important difference of 2 points improvement in depressive symptoms, as ascertained blindly by the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology. In Aim 2 we will investigate the efficacy and tolerability of 8 weeks of (1) single-blind BAT plus placebo or (2) double-blind bupropion plus Clinical Management vs. control for improvement in depressive symptoms. In Aim 3, we will compare the efficacy of these 2 treatments strategies vs. control for improvement in CKD patient-centered outcomes including a. adherence to medications and healthcare visits; b. fatigue; c. sleep; and d. overall functioning. A clinical trial is urgently needed to address the evidence gap that exists for MDD treatment in CKD patients.

The R33 will be a randomized controlled trial to replicate changes in the targets (unproductive processing, avoidance, reward deficits) from the R61 phase in a larger sample of 135 participants who have experienced a destabilizing life event involving profound loss or threat, report persistent stressor-related symptoms of PTSD and/or depression, and are elevated on symptoms related to 2 of the 3 therapeutic targets. Additionally, this study will examine Positive Processes and Transition to Health (PATH)'s impact on stressor-related psychopathology in comparison to Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR). In the R33 phase, the investigators will examine changes in target mechanisms predicting improvements in PTSD and depressive symptoms, as well as feasibility and acceptability. Patients will receive 6 sessions of PATH or PMR (with 2 boosters, if partial responders). Primary targets will be assessed at pre-treatment, week 3, post-treatment, and at 1- and 3-month follow-up; secondary targets at pre-treatment, weekly during treatment, post-treatment, and at 1- and 3-month follow-ups.

This Phase 2 study (protocol number VLS-01-203) will determine the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of short-term treatment with a VLS-01 transmucosal buccal film (VLS-01-BU) in patients with treatment resistant Major Depressive disorder (TRD) and will characterize the onset and durability of antidepressant effects of VLS-01-BU versus placebo.

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate whether the InMotion intervention, delivered via telehealth (using a HIPAA-compliant video platform or phone), which uses evidence-based behavioral and motivational counseling to increase daily physical activity, is an effective treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) for people who are at least one year out from sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The first aim is to compare the efficacy of the InMotion intervention to the waitlist control (WLC) condition on measures of depression severity and associated conditions in under-active adults with TBI and MDD. For the second aim the investigators plan to identify possible moderators of exercise treatment effects. The third aim will examine possible mediators of treatment outcome. In addition, the weekly dose of exercise, the extent to which exercise generates positive affect, and engagement in enjoyable or meaningful aspects of life will be explored.

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy, safety and tolerability of CYB003 compared to matching placebo as adjunctive treatment in patients with MDD.