Thinking of joining a study?

Register your interest

Become a volunteer?

NCT05877885 | Not yet recruiting | Major Depressive Disorder

Targeting Network Dysfunction in Apathy of Late-life Depression Using Digital Therapeutics
Sponsor:

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Brief Summary:

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the potential of a customized digital cognitive training intervention to target aspects of brain function in apathy of late-life depression and reduce symptoms of apathy and related cognitive and behavioral deficits. The investigators hypothesize that 4 weeks of a customized digital cognitive training program will lead to changes in brain connectivity, apathy severity, and cognitive control performance.

Condition or disease

Major Depressive Disorder

Apathy

Intervention/treatment

Targeted Cognitive Training Intervention

General Cognitive Training Intervention

Phase

Not Applicable

Study Type : Interventional
Estimated Enrollment : 84 participants
Masking : Triple
Primary Purpose : Treatment
Official Title : Targeting Network Dysfunction in Apathy of Late-life Depression Using Digital Therapeutics
Actual Study Start Date : April 1, 2024
Estimated Primary Completion Date : November 2028
Estimated Study Completion Date : December 2028
Arm Intervention/treatment

Experimental: Targeted Cognitive Training Intervention

Behavioral: Targeted Cognitive Training Intervention

Active Comparator: General Cognitive Training Intervention

Behavioral: General Cognitive Training Intervention
Ages Eligible for Study: 60 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study: All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age 60+ years
  • Diagnosis of unipolar major depressive disorder without psychotic features, as assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID)
  • Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score > or = 16.
  • Clinically significant apathy, determined by the Clinician-rated Apathy Evaluation Scale (C-AES > or = to 37)
  • Off antidepressants or on a stable dose of an antidepressant for 8 weeks and do not intend to change the dose in the next 5 weeks.
  • On a stable dose of other psychotropic medications, deemed by the investigator to be associated with brain networks of interest, for at least 8 weeks.
  • Capacity to provide written consent for research assessment and treatment
  • Ability to follow written and verbal instructions (English) as assessed by the PI and/or study staff.
  • DRS total score > 129 or DRS scaled score of 5 based on age and education-adjusted normative data49
  • Eligible to undergo MRI
  • Access to a computer or tablet with Wifi capabilities
  • Able to comply with all testing and study requirements and willingness to participate in the full study duration.
Exclusion Criteria
  • History or presence of psychiatric diagnoses other than major depressive disorder without psychotic features, persistent depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, or specific phobia
  • Use of cholinesterase inhibitors or psychoactive drugs other than antidepressants or benzodiazepines, including antipsychotics, that in the opinion of the Investigator may confound study data/assessments.
  • Presence or history of significant neurologic or neurodegenerative disorder (e.g., Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment, history of stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy).
  • Any other acute medical condition (e.g., cardiac, renal, or respiratory failure; severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; metastatic cancer; or debilitated states or less common medical illnesses) that may influence brain systems of interest or interfere with participation or interpretation of the study results.
  • Participant is currently considered at risk for attempting suicide by the Investigator, has made a suicide attempt within the past year, or is currently demonstrating active suicidal ideation or self-injurious behavior.
  • Electroconvulsive therapy within the past 12 months
  • Recent history (within 6 months prior to screening/baseline) of Substance Use Disorder.
  • Participant is currently enrolled in ongoing concurrent cognitive rehabilitation (note that if a subject is enrolled in psychotherapy, this will not be grounds for exclusion)
  • Claustrophobia
  • Color Blindness
  • Sensory or physical impairment that would preclude cognitive testing or participation in the intervention (e.g., upper limb paralysis) as reported by the participant or observed by the Investigator.
  • Travelling consecutively for 2+ weeks during the study period to a location that will preclude timely collection of post-treatment MRI data.
  • Contraindications to MRI scanning including cardiac pacemaker, heart valve replacement, vascular stent, cochlear implant, any other metallic biomedical implant contraindicating to MRI.
Targeting Network Dysfunction in Apathy of Late-life Depression Using Digital Therapeutics

Location Details

Please Choose a site

Targeting Network Dysfunction in Apathy of Late-life Depression Using Digital Therapeutics

How to Participate

Want to participate in this study, select a site at your convenience, send yourself email to get contact details and prescreening steps.

Locations

Not yet recruiting

United States, New York

Lauren Elizabeth Oberlin

New York, New York, United States, 10065

Not yet recruiting

United States, New York

Weill Cornell Medicine Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry

White Plains, New York, United States, 10605