Inflammatory and Glutamatergic Mechanisms of Sustained Threat in Adolescents With Depression
Eligible age
14–21 yrs
Accepts
All genders
Locations
1 state
Healthy volunteers
No
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About this study
Despite the prevalence and significant public health concern over depression among adolescents, up to 40% of depressed adolescents do not respond to first-line antidepressants (herein termed treatment non-response, TNR). The goal of this project is to recruit and assess 160 treatment-seeking depressed adolescents and test whether acute stress impacts peripheral levels of inflammation and downstream levels of glutamate in corticolimbic regions previously associated with depression, whether these stress-related biomarkers predict TNR to a 12-week trial of either fluoxetine or escitalopram, and whether these stress-related biomarkers predict 18-month clinical course.
Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles
You may qualify if…
- ✓ All sexes and genders
- ✓ All ethnicities
- ✓ Ages 14-21
- ✓ Postpubertal (Tanner stage \> 3)
- ✓ No medications that will interfere with the study (including antidepressants, mood stabilizers, hormone supplements, steroids, etc.) for at least 2-6 weeks (depending on exact medication)
- ✓ Currently being seen by a clinician who will treat the participant with fluoxetine or escitalopram
- ✓ The ability to provide assent, understand, and complete all study procedures
- ✓ Caregiver consent (if applicable)
You may not qualify if…
- ✕ Primary mental health diagnosis other than a depressive disorder according to DSM-V
- ✕ Any contraindications to MRI scanning, phlebotomy, or SSRI treatment
- ✕ Stimulant usage
- ✕ A concussion within the last 6 weeks or any lifetime concussion with loss of consciousness for at least 10 minutes
- ✕ Any inflammatory conditions or use of anti-inflammatory medications that may influence study findings
- ✕ Any major neurological or developmental disorders which could impact the participant's ability to comply with study procedure
- ✕ Meeting for current or lifetime criteria of mania or psychosis, diagnosis of bipolar disorder, or any substance use disorders
- ✕ First-degree relative with current, past, or suspected mania or psychosis
Where it's recruiting
Los Angeles
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT05329441 · last updated 2026-05-29