RecruitingMajor Depression
Leucine in Midlife Depression
Eligible age
35–65 yrs
Accepts
All genders
Locations
1 state
Healthy volunteers
No
See if you qualify for this study
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About this study
The study aims to investigate the effects of a 6-week leucine challenge on brain chemistry, connectivity, and behavior in people with midlife depression. The researchers will compare the leucine and an active comparator arm (lysine) for 6 weeks.
Sponsor: Emory University
You may qualify if…
- ✓ Able and willing to provide informed consent
- ✓ Diagnosis of major depression per Structured Interview for DSM-V (SCID-V)
- ✓ Moderate to severe depression- Inventory of Depressive Symptoms - Self Reported (IDS-SR score \>34).
- ✓ SHAPS score \>30 on the 0-56 scale
- ✓ Body mass index (BMI) between 20-35 kg/m2
- ✓ Plasma CRP \>1 mg/L
- ✓ No contraindications to MRI
- ✓ Availability of friends or family for transportation after lumbar puncture procedure
You may not qualify if…
- ✕ Leucine-Specific:
- ✕ History of maple syrup urine disease
- ✕ Risk of hypoglycemia (unstable diabetes)
- ✕ History of vitamin B6 deficiency, relative
- ✕ Lysine-Specific:
- ✕ On calcium supplements, relative
- ✕ History of renal/gall stones (could cleared by a primary care provider)
- ✕ Cognitive:
Where it's recruiting
Georgia
Atlanta
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT06580145 · last updated 2026-09-11