Purpose

Forty medication-free depressed patients will receive a battery of non-invasive tests which measure different types of brain function and demonstrate how different types of information are processed. These tests include: neuropsychological tests, dichotic listening tests (which determine brain hemisphere preferences in processing auditory stimuli), an EEG (brainwave recording), ERP (a test that measures brain elecrical activity in response to different types of events), and an fMRI. A functional MRI is an advanced technique of brain imaging which provides the ability to observe which brain structures participate in specific mental functions by providing a high resolution report of brain communication activity. Participants will perform a neuropsychological test, the Simon, during the f-MRI. This test presents a task measuring selective attention and cognitive flexibility, tasks thought to be governed by the frontal lobe of the brain. Once testing is completed, participants will receive an 8 week trial of SSRI antidepressant medication (Lexapro). A second fMRI will be performed after SSRI treatment. Participants who do not improve sufficiently at the conclusion of the SSRI trial will receive 8 weeks’ treatment with Wellbutrin, and then finally, continued non-response will be treated with an 8 week trial of tricyclic anti-depressant medication (Tofranil). The main purpose of the study is to assess how imaging testing compares with other measures of brain functioning, as well as whether f-MRI findings show specific brain differences between participants who responded well to SSRI treatment and those who did not.

Type of Study: Clinical Trial
Setting of Study: outpatient
Clinical Trials.gov number: NCT00296777
Providing Clinical Treatment?: Yes
No Cost Treatment?: Yes

Study Activities

Filling Out Forms
Computer Tasks
Blood Samples
MRI Scan
Psychophysiology measurements
Provides Payment: Compensation for study related procedures

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years - 65 Years
Genders Eligible for Study: Both
This study is not recruiting Healthy Volunteers.

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:
-DSM-IV Major Depression or Dythymia
-Age 18-65
-Physically Healthy
-Normal Hearing
-Drug-free (2 weeks for most anti-depressants; 4 weeks for fluoxetine)

Links
The official website of the Depression Evaluation Service at the New York State Psychiatric Institute

Location: Unit 51 New York State Psychiatric Institute 1051 Riverside Drive New York, NY 10032
Clinic: Depression Evaluation Service
Division: Therapeutics

Study chairs or principal investigators:
Jonathan W Stewart M.D., Principal Investigator

Co-investigators:
Gerard Bruder,