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CompletedNCT00360399Updated Aug 30, 2016Results posted

Identifying Factors That Predict Antidepressant Treatment Response

An interventional study of Escitalopram and Duloxetine in Depression, sponsored by Emory University. Completed at 2 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2016-08-30.

Sponsored by Emory University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
344
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 65 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This study will compare different treatments for depression in order to identify which factors predict effectiveness, and will include a companion study which investigates combining treatments and long term effectiveness.

Read the detailed description

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious illness that affects a person's body, mood, and thoughts. The symptoms of MDD can interfere with a person's ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy activities that were once pleasurable. Antidepressant medications and psychotherapy are among the effective treatments for MDD. Individuals often respond to one type of treatment, but not another. Currently, however, doctors have no way of pre-determining which individuals will most benefit from which treatments. In the absence of practical predictors of MDD treatment response, the potential efficacy of existing MDD treatments is limited. This study will identify factors that may predict MDD treatment response by comparing the effectiveness of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), and cognitive behavioral therapy in people with MDD.

Participants in this 14-week, double-blind study will be randomly assigned to receive duloxetine (SNRI), escitalopram (SSRI), or cognitive behavioral therapy. During the first 2 weeks of screening, participants will complete questionnaires, clinician evaluations, an electrocardiogram, a personality assessment, a dexamethasone-corticotropin releasing factor test, a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan and provide blood samples. Upon completion of screening, patients will start the treatment to which they were randomized. Duloxetine and escitalopram are two medications that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a talking therapy that is also used to treat depression. All participants assigned to take duloxetine or escitalopram will be seen by a study physician weekly for 6 weeks, and then every other week for the remainder of the study. Participants assigned to cognitive behavioral therapy will attend therapy sessions twice a week for the first 4 weeks, and then once a week for the remainder of the study. The following assessments will be performed for all participants at each visit: vital sign and weight measurements; clinician assessments; and self-report questionnaires. Additionally, blood samples will be taken at three visits through the trial and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans will be performed at selected times.

A companion study to the main CIDAR study offers participants further treatment. Participants who achieve remission after the initial 12 weeks of treatment will have the option to enroll in a 21-month follow-up study of maintenance treatment, with visits every three months to monitor for sustained response and relapse. Participants who do not remit will have the option to enroll in another 12-week treatment course, receiving a combination of CBT and medication. Participants who achieve response after this combination treatment will be eligible to receive maintenance combination treatment for up to an additional 18 months, monitored for sustained response and relapse. Participants who do not wish to enroll or continue in the companion study will be provided with a referral for treatment with another mental health provider.

02

Conditions studied

  • Depression

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Keywords

  • Escitalopram
  • Duloxetine
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • PET
  • fMRI
03

In context

Depression

8,057 studies on the registry are indexed under Depression; 1,643 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 344 is above the median of 84 across 6,718 interventional studies indexed under Depression.

Browse Depression studies →

Lead sponsor

Emory University is the lead sponsor of 1,386 studies on the registry; 236 are open to participants now.

Of its 229 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 174 (76%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 65 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Current DSM-IV diagnosis of major depressive episode, as determined by Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-IV)
  • Primary diagnosis of MDD, based on prominence of symptoms and target for intervention (comorbid anxiety disorders, except obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), will not be criteria for exclusion)
  • Score of at least 18 on the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D17)
  • Agrees to use an effective form of contraception and/or double barrier method

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Previously treated for major depression with either medication or psychotherapy
  • Current psychosis, dementia, eating disorder, or dissociative disorder
  • History of bipolar disorder (I and II) or schizophrenia
  • Alcohol or drug dependence within 3 months prior to study entry or current alcohol or drug abuse (excluding nicotine and caffeine), as assessed by medical history and urine drug screening
  • Requires neuroleptic or mood stabilizer therapy in addition to depression treatment
  • Presence of any acute or chronic medical disorder that could affect successful completion of the trial
  • Medical contraindications that would preclude treatment with escitalopram or duloxetine
  • Presence of practical issues that would likely prevent completion of the study (e.g., planned geographical relocation)
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Medical conditions that could prevent the safe use of MRI (e.g., pacemaker, aneurysm clips, neurostimulators, cochlear implants, metal in eyes, or other implants; steel worker)
  • Medical conditions that could prevent the safe completion of a dexamethasone-corticotropin releasing factor (Dex-CRF) test (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, significant abnormalities in EKG, anemia, known allergies against drugs)
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
344 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Escitalopram

    Participants will receive treatment with escitalopram for 12 weeks

    Drug: Escitalopram

  • Active comparator
    Duloxetine

    Participants will receive treatment with duloxetine for 12 weeks

    Drug: Duloxetine

  • Active comparator
    CBT

    Participants will receive 16 one-hour sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy delivered over 12 weeks

    Behavioral: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Interventions

  • DrugEscitalopram

    Escitalopram 10 to 20 mg per day for 12 weeks

    Also known as: Lexapro

  • DrugDuloxetine

    Duloxetine 30 to 60 mg per day for 12 weeks

    Also known as: Cymbalta

  • BehavioralCognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

    CBT will include 16 one-hour sessions provided over 12 weeks.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Remission From Major Depressive Episode in Intent to Treat Sample

    The percentage of participants who achieved remission from a major depressive episode, using a last observation carried forward (LOCF) dataset, defined as all randomized patients who initiated treatment and had at least one follow-up rating assessment. A score of equal to or greater than 7 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) at the last observation was considered to be remission from depression.

    Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks

  2. Remission From Major Depressive Episode Among Participants Who Completed the Intervention

    The percentage of participants who achieved remission from a major depressive episode. A score of equal to or greater than 7 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) after 10 weeks and 12 weeks of the assigned study treatment was considered to be remission from depression.

    Time frame: Measured at Weeks 10 and 12

Secondary outcomes

  1. Number of Participants in Each Category of Response to Treatment of Depressive Symptoms, in Intent to Treat Sample

    Four mutually exclusive categorical outcomes were defined based on the last valid Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) rating at the last observation: 1. Non-response: \<30% reduction from baseline 2. Partial Response: 30-49% reduction from baseline 3. Response without remission: ≥50% reduction from baseline, but HDRS-17 score \>7 4. Remission: HDRS score ≤7

    Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks

  2. Number of Participants in Each Category of Response to Treatment of Depressive Symptoms, Among Participants Who Completed the Intervention

    Four mutually exclusive categorical outcomes were defined based on the last valid Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) rating at the Week 10 and Week 12 visits: 1. Non-response: \<30% reduction from baseline 2. Partial Response: 30-49% reduction from baseline 3. Response without remission: ≥50% reduction from baseline, but HDRS-17 score \>7 4. Remission: HDRS score ≤7

    Time frame: Measured at Weeks 10 and 12

  3. Number of Participants Experiencing Depression Recurrence Following Remission to Monotherapy Treatment

    The number of participants experiencing a recurrence of depression after they had been in remission with the monotherapy treatment they were randomized to receive.

    Time frame: Measured at 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 months

  4. Number of Participants Achieving Remission From Major Depressive Episode After 12 Weeks of Combined Treatment, for Those Patients Who do Not Achieve Remission With Monotherapy

    The number of participants achieving remission from major depressive episode after 12 weeks of combined treatment consisting of antidepressant plus cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) treatments. Those originally randomized to receive one of the antidepressants remained on that medication and had CBT sessions added. Participants originally randomized to CBT had escitalopram added at a dose of 10 to 20 mg per day for 12 weeks

    Time frame: Measured after 12 weeks of combined treatment

07

Results

Posted Jul 28, 2016

Participant flow

Participants were recruited through the Emory University Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program. Men and women, aged 18-65, meeting DSM-IV criteria for a current major depressive disorder, and who had not received prior treatment for a mood disorder were eligible. 515 consented to participate in the trial and 344 were randomized to a treatment arm.

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneEscitalopramDuloxetineCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Started114115115
Had post-randomization assessment105106105
Completed867969
Not completed283646

Outcome measures

PrimaryRemission From Major Depressive Episode in Intent to Treat Sample

The percentage of participants who achieved remission from a major depressive episode, using a last observation carried forward (LOCF) dataset, defined as all randomized patients who initiated treatment and had at least one follow-up rating assessment. A score of equal to or greater than 7 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) at the last observation was considered to be remission from depression.

Time frame:
Up to 12 Weeks
Reported as:
Number · percentage of participants
Remission From Major Depressive Episode in Intent to Treat Sample
percentage of participantsEscitalopramDuloxetineCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Remission From Major Depressive Episode in Intent to Treat Sample46.754.741.9
PrimaryRemission From Major Depressive Episode Among Participants Who Completed the Intervention

The percentage of participants who achieved remission from a major depressive episode. A score of equal to or greater than 7 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) after 10 weeks and 12 weeks of the assigned study treatment was considered to be remission from depression.

Time frame:
Measured at Weeks 10 and 12
Reported as:
Number · percentage of participants
Remission From Major Depressive Episode Among Participants Who Completed the Intervention
percentage of participantsEscitalopramDuloxetineCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Remission From Major Depressive Episode Among Participants Who Completed the Intervention44.251.943.5
SecondaryNumber of Participants in Each Category of Response to Treatment of Depressive Symptoms, in Intent to Treat Sample

Four mutually exclusive categorical outcomes were defined based on the last valid Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) rating at the last observation: 1. Non-response: \<30% reduction from baseline 2. Partial Response: 30-49% reduction from baseline 3. Response without remission: ≥50% reduction from baseline, but HDRS-17 score \>7 4. Remission: HDRS score ≤7

Time frame:
Up to 12 Weeks
Reported as:
Number · participants
Number of Participants in Each Category of Response to Treatment of Depressive Symptoms, in Intent to Treat Sample
participantsEscitalopramDuloxetineCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Non-Response262132
Partial Response121619
Response without remission181110
Remission495844
SecondaryNumber of Participants in Each Category of Response to Treatment of Depressive Symptoms, Among Participants Who Completed the Intervention

Four mutually exclusive categorical outcomes were defined based on the last valid Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) rating at the Week 10 and Week 12 visits: 1. Non-response: \<30% reduction from baseline 2. Partial Response: 30-49% reduction from baseline 3. Response without remission: ≥50% reduction from baseline, but HDRS-17 score \>7 4. Remission: HDRS score ≤7

Time frame:
Measured at Weeks 10 and 12
Reported as:
Number · participants
Number of Participants in Each Category of Response to Treatment of Depressive Symptoms, Among Participants Who Completed the Intervention
participantsEscitalopramDuloxetineCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Non-Response151015
Partial Response101213
Response without remission231611
Remission384130
SecondaryNumber of Participants Experiencing Depression Recurrence Following Remission to Monotherapy Treatment

The number of participants experiencing a recurrence of depression after they had been in remission with the monotherapy treatment they were randomized to receive.

Time frame:
Measured at 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 months
Reported as:
Number · participants
Number of Participants Experiencing Depression Recurrence Following Remission to Monotherapy Treatment
participantsEscitalopramDuloxetineCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
6 Months001
9 Months121
12 Months123
15 Months145
18 Months245
21 Months355
24 Months355
SecondaryNumber of Participants Achieving Remission From Major Depressive Episode After 12 Weeks of Combined Treatment, for Those Patients Who do Not Achieve Remission With Monotherapy

The number of participants achieving remission from major depressive episode after 12 weeks of combined treatment consisting of antidepressant plus cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) treatments. Those originally randomized to receive one of the antidepressants remained on that medication and had CBT sessions added. Participants originally randomized to CBT had escitalopram added at a dose of 10 to 20 mg per day for 12 weeks

Time frame:
Measured after 12 weeks of combined treatment
Reported as:
Number · participants
Number of Participants Achieving Remission From Major Depressive Episode After 12 Weeks of Combined Treatment, for Those Patients Who do Not Achieve Remission With Monotherapy
participantsEscitalopramDuloxetineCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Number of Participants Achieving Remission From Major Depressive Episode After 12 Weeks of Combined Treatment, for Those Patients Who do Not Achieve Remission With Monotherapy221018

Adverse events

Collected over Adverse events will be collected during the entire time a participant remains in the trial (up to 24 weeks). Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Escitalopram—6/114 (5.3%)100/114 (87.7%)
Duloxetine—3/115 (2.6%)108/115 (93.9%)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—1/115 (0.9%)70/115 (60.9%)
Most frequent serious events
Most frequent serious events
EventEscitalopramDuloxetineCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Motor Vehicle AccidentGeneral disorders2/1141/1150/115
AttemptedSuicide by OverdosePsychiatric disorders0/1142/1150/115
LacerationSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders1/1140/1150/115
Urinary retentionRenal and urinary disorders1/1140/1150/115
Deep vein thrombosisVascular disorders1/1140/1150/115
Lung cancerNeoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)1/1140/1150/115
Hospitalization for asthma attackRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders0/1140/1151/115
Most frequent other events
Showing 10 of 28
Most frequent other events
EventEscitalopramDuloxetineCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
HeadacheGeneral disorders36/11438/11519/115
NauseaGastrointestinal disorders29/11437/1158/115
Upper Respiratory Tract InfectionRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders14/11431/11527/115
Dry MouthGeneral disorders18/11428/1152/115
FatigueGeneral disorders22/11427/1152/115
InsomniaGeneral disorders20/11426/1153/115
DiarrheaGastrointestinal disorders23/11422/11511/115
DizzinessGeneral disorders16/11421/1154/115
SedationGeneral disorders15/11418/1154/115
Abdominal PainGastrointestinal disorders7/11413/1157/115

Baseline characteristics

Participants who consented to participate in the trial and who were randomized to a treatment arm.

Age, Categorical
Age, Categorical(Participants)EscitalopramDuloxetineCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Total
<=18 years0000
Between 18 and 65 years114115115344
>=65 years0000
Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(years)EscitalopramDuloxetineCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Total
Mean41.6 ± 12.138.3 ± 11.440.0 ± 11.340.0 ± 11.7
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)EscitalopramDuloxetineCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Total
Female646864196
Male504751148
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)(Participants)EscitalopramDuloxetineCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Total
Hispanic or Latino363432102
Not Hispanic or Latino788183242
Unknown or Not Reported0000
Race (NIH/OMB)
Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants)EscitalopramDuloxetineCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Total
American Indian or Alaska Native0000
Asian0000
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander0000
Black or African American28231364
White475661164
More than one race0000
Unknown or Not Reported393641116
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(participants)EscitalopramDuloxetineCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Total
United States114115115344
Current Anxiety Disorder
Current Anxiety Disorder(participants)EscitalopramDuloxetineCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Total
Yes676771205
No474844139
Previous Episode(s) of Depression
Previous Episode(s) of Depression(participants)EscitalopramDuloxetineCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Total
One595167177
Two20261763
Three or more33382899
None2035

2 further baseline measures are reported on the registry.

08

Study locations

2 sites
  • Emory University Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program
    Atlanta, Georgia 30306, United States
  • Emory University School of Medicine
    Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
09

References and documents

Publications

  • Dunlop BW, Binder EB, Cubells JF, Goodman MM, Kelley ME, Kinkead B, Kutner M, Nemeroff CB, Newport DJ, Owens MJ, Pace TW, Ritchie JC, Rivera VA, Westen D, Craighead WE, Mayberg HS. Predictors of remission in depression to individual and combined treatments (PReDICT): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2012 Jul 9;13:106. doi: 10.1186/1745-6215-13-106. PubMed 22776534 ↗
  • Brydges CR, Fiehn O, Mayberg HS, Schreiber H, Dehkordi SM, Bhattacharyya S, Cha J, Choi KS, Craighead WE, Krishnan RR, Rush AJ, Dunlop BW, Kaddurah-Daouk R; Mood Disorders Precision Medicine Consortium. Indoxyl sulfate, a gut microbiome-derived uremic toxin, is associated with psychic anxiety and its functional magnetic resonance imaging-based neurologic signature. Sci Rep. 2021 Oct 25;11(1):21011. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-99845-1. PubMed 34697401 ↗
  • Storebo OJ, Stoffers-Winterling JM, Vollm BA, Kongerslev MT, Mattivi JT, Jorgensen MS, Faltinsen E, Todorovac A, Sales CP, Callesen HE, Lieb K, Simonsen E. Psychological therapies for people with borderline personality disorder. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 May 4;5(5):CD012955. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012955.pub2. PubMed 32368793 ↗
  • Kennedy JC, Dunlop BW, Craighead LW, Nemeroff CB, Mayberg HS, Craighead WE. Follow-up of monotherapy remitters in the PReDICT study: Maintenance treatment outcomes and clinical predictors of recurrence. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2018 Feb;86(2):189-199. doi: 10.1037/ccp0000279. PubMed 29369664 ↗
  • Dunlop BW, Rajendra JK, Craighead WE, Kelley ME, McGrath CL, Choi KS, Kinkead B, Nemeroff CB, Mayberg HS. Functional Connectivity of the Subcallosal Cingulate Cortex And Differential Outcomes to Treatment With Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy or Antidepressant Medication for Major Depressive Disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 2017 Jun 1;174(6):533-545. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.16050518. Epub 2017 Mar 24. Erratum In: Am J Psychiatry. 2017 Jun 1;174(6):604. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.1746correction3. PubMed 28335622 ↗

Related links

10

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Aug 30, 2016, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
11

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT00360399
Lead sponsor
Emory University
Collaborators
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Responsible party
Helen Mayberg (Professor, Emory University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Aug 4, 2006
Start date
Aug 2006
Primary completion
Apr 2015
Completion
Apr 2015
Results posted
Jul 28, 2016
Last update
Aug 30, 2016

Study contacts

Helen S. Mayberg, MD
principal investigator · Emory University
W. Edward Craighead, PhD
principal investigator · Emory University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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