NCT02602340

Neurocognitive Predictors of Behavioral Therapy Response in Depression

Completed NA Last updated 25 November 2020

What this trial tests

NA trial testing Behavioral Activation therapy in Depression in 57 participants. Completed in 3 March 2020.

Timeline

6 October 2015

Primary endpoint
26 September 2019

3 March 2020

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Inc.
Phase	NA
Status	Completed
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	na
Design	single group
Masking	none
Primary purpose	basic science
Enrollment	57
Start date	6 October 2015
Primary completion	26 September 2019
Estimated completion	3 March 2020
Sites	1 location across United States

Drugs / interventions tested

• Behavioral Activation therapy

Conditions studied

• Depression — all drugs for Depression →

Sponsor

Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Inc.

Who can join

Adults 18 to 55, any sex, with Depression. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

This project aims to identify brain and behavioral characteristics of individuals experiencing symptoms of depression that will predict the effectiveness of Behavioral Activation Therapy. Brain imaging aspects of the study will use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG). Behavioral assessments will include self-report questionnaires, computer-based and observational tasks, and interviews. Assessments will focus on how individuals process positive information (such as reward) and negative information (such as distressing images), as well as how people make decisions. These assessments will be conducted across 2-3 in-person sessions prior to beginning the treatment, and will be repeated across 2-3 in-person sessions after completing treatment. A blood draw will also be conducted pre- and post- treatment. Behavior Activation therapy will consist of 10, 90-minute weekly therapy sessions conducted in small groups.

Publications & conference data

3 peer-reviewed publications reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

1. P300 amplitude during a monetary incentive delay task predicts future therapy completion in individuals with major depressive disorder.
   White EJ, Nacke M, Akeman E, Cannon MJ, et al · · 2021 · cited 21× · PMID 34706458 · DOI 10.1016/j.jad.2021.08.106
2. Behavioral activation therapy for depression is associated with a reduction in the concentration of circulating quinolinic acid.
   Savitz J, Ford BN, Yeh HW, Akeman E, et al · · 2022 · cited 10× · PMID 33234171 · DOI 10.1017/s0033291720004389
3. Differential Insular Cortex Activation During Reward Anticipation in Major Depressive Disorder With and Without Anxiety.
   Ren X, White EJ, Kuplicki R, Paulus MP, et al · · 2025 · PMID 39978463 · DOI 10.1016/j.bpsc.2025.02.001