Reward Processing and Depressive Subtypes: Identifying Neural Biotypes
United States150 participantsStarted 2021-06-01
Plain-language summary
Deficits in motivation and pleasure are common in depression, and thought to be caused by alterations in the ways in which the brain anticipates, evaluates, and adaptively uses reward-related information. However, reward processing is a complex, multi-circuit phenomenon, and the precise neural mechanisms that contribute to the absence or reduction of pleasure and motivation are not well understood. Variation in the clinical presentation of depression has long been a rule rather than an exception, including individual variation in symptoms, severity, and treatment response. This heterogeneity complicates understanding of depression and thwarts progress toward disease classification and treatment planning. Discovery of depression-specific biomarkers that account for neurobiological variation that presumably underlies distinct clinical manifestations is critical to this larger effort.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 70 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
* Our studies require some in-person visits to our research lab, located at 42nd Ave and Clement St in San Francisco.
* Because this study includes an MRI, part of the screening process will be to ensure you don't have any metal in your body, you do not have head or neck tattoos, and you are comfortable inside the MRI scanner.
Inclusion Criteria:
* 18-70 years with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) for MDD group, or without for unaffected comparison (UC) group
* Negative metal screen for MRI safety
* Normal (or corrected to normal) vision
Exclusion Criteria:
* Past or present neurological problems (including seizures and head trauma resulting in neurological or cognitive symptoms)
* Loss of consciousness (LOC) greater than 30 minutes or any LOC with neurologic symptoms
* Major medical conditions (e.g., seizure disorders, treatment with anticonvulsant medication, endocrine disorders, significant cardiac pathology)
* Substance dependence, within the past year, or failed urine toxicology on the day of neuroimaging sessions
* Known claustrophobia
* Current Pregnancy
* IQ estimate \< 70
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Stimulus preceding negativity
Timeframe: 1 month (EEG measure of reward anticipation)
2
Reward positivity
Timeframe: 1 month (EEG measure of reward feedback)
3
Late positive potential
Timeframe: 1 month (EEG measure of effective salience)
4
fMRI response to win vs. loss reward feedback
Timeframe: 1 month (fMRI data)
Trial details
NCT IDNCT06080646
SponsorSan Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center