CClinicalTrials.gg
TerminatedNCT01031810Updated Sep 18, 2014Results posted

PET Biomarkers in Treatment Resistant Depression

A Phase 4 interventional study of tranylcypromine in Major Depressive Disorder, sponsored by New York State Psychiatric Institute. Terminated at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2014-09-18.

Sponsored by New York State Psychiatric Institute · Phase 4, Interventional, and Treatment

Why this study was terminated
Needed PET facility closed
Phase
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
13
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
18 Years to 65 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The primary objectives of the study are to test whether brain Mono Amine Oxidase-A (MAO-A) levels are elevated in patients with treatment-resistant major depression, and to explore whether MAO-A brain levels predict treatment outcome with Mono Amine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) medication in this population.

Read the detailed description

While Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is prevalent and disabling, compelling recent data from the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) study indicate that only about half of patients attain remission from MDD, even after multiple antidepressant medication trials. Further, no biomarker has been validated which can select an effective treatment for such patients, presenting critical unmet intellectual and clinical challenges. The recent landmark finding of an markedly elevated level of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) in the brains of depressed patients with MDD compared to controls, using positron emission tomography (PET) with a positron-emitting carbon isotope, (carbon 11 [11C]) labeled monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), has provided an unparalleled opportunity to address these challenges. It has long been known that MAOIs are effective for some patients with treatment-resistant MDD, although their side effect profile makes them highly unacceptable both to patients and physicians, severely curtailing their utility.

This study seeks to: 1) replicate this study using PET scans in 20 subjects with MDD but extending it to patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). (Results from these participants with be compared to those from 10 non-depressed controls; 2) explore the correlation of the brain MAO-A level biomarker to treatment outcome by treating the 20 PET-imaged TRD patients with an MAOI, hypothesizing that their MAOI response will be related to their level of MAO-A. Brain MAO-A is an ideal candidate biomarker for this study since it appears to be significantly abnormally elevated in MDD, yet it has a broad range of values even among depressed patients. Most importantly, the MAO-A biomarker is known to be the single pharmacologic target of the treatment, making it appear likely that outcome with MAOI treatment will be related to MAO-A.

02

Conditions studied

  • Major Depressive Disorder

Keywords

  • Treatment Resistant depression
  • Major Depression
  • MDD
  • Depression
03

In context

Depression

8,057 studies on the registry are indexed under Depression; 1,641 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 13 is below the median of 84 across 6,720 interventional studies indexed under Depression.

Browse Depression studies →

Lead sponsor

New York State Psychiatric Institute is the lead sponsor of 425 studies on the registry; 26 are open to participants now.

Of its 50 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 45 (90%) 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
Yes

Inclusion criteria

  1. Primary diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder
  2. Subjects aged 18-65
  3. Depressed subjects must have Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) two previous adequate antidepressant treatment trial failures within the current depressive episode from different classes
  4. Minimum baseline Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score of 22
  5. Signs informed consent form
  6. Subjects must be willing to be have a PET scan
  7. Subjects must be antidepressant medication free for 3 weeks prior to PET scan

Exclusion criteria

EXCLUSION

  1. Significant past or present neurological disorder, including seizures, stroke, or head trauma
  2. History of bipolar disorder, psychosis, schizoaffective disorder, or schizophrenia
  3. Moderate or high level of suicide risk, as determined by a score of 3 or 4 on item 3 of the HAM-D scale. Also excluded will be those who present a significant suicide risk by history or current psychiatrist's assessment.
  4. Personality disorder which might interfere with compliance or increase suicide risk
  5. Alcohol or drug abuse or dependence in the past year; history of lifetime IV drug use or use of methylene diamine methamphetamine (MDMA or "ecstasy") more than twice
  6. Current thyroid dysfunction (past or currently treated dysfunction is acceptable)
  7. Clinically significant or unstable medical conditions or laboratory abnormalities, including hypertension (repeated BP > 140 systolic, > 90 diastolic)
  8. Intake of investigational (unapproved) drug in the past 3 months
  9. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in three months prior to screening
  10. Use of Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
  11. Positive drug of abuse screen
  12. Anticoagulant treatment which cannot be discontinued for 10 days prior to PET scanning
  13. Pregnancy, currently lactating; planning to conceive during the course of study participation or abortion in the past two months.
  14. Dementia (clinical and neurocognitive criteria)
  15. Claustrophobia of a severity which would not permit the participant to undergo an MRI or a PET scan
  16. Recent (\< 7 days) consumption of Ayahuasca Tea or other South American non-standard decoction.
  17. Presence of metallic devices, implants and other contraindications to scanning
  18. Current, past or anticipated exposure to radiation, that may include being badged for radiation exposure in the workplace or participation in nuclear medicine research protocols
  19. Smokers (use of tobacco products in the previous 3 months)
  20. Potential participants having taken an antidepressant medication in the last 3 weeks. Participants otherwise eligible may elect to discontinue medication which has not been significantly helpful according to their report, their current psychiatrist's report (if available), and the evaluating psychiatrist. No patient will be asked to discontinue an effective antidepressant medication to participate.
  21. History of previous MAO-I treatment
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
13 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Other
    tranylcypromine

    patients will receive treatment with tranylcypromine

    Drug: tranylcypromine

Interventions

  • Drugtranylcypromine

    MAO-Inhibitor 60mg-120mg

    Also known as: Parnate

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale Scores 17 at Baseline

    HAM-D is a multiple item questionnaire used to provide an indication of depression, and as a guide to evaluate recovery. Each item on the questionnaire is scored on a 3 or 5 point scale, depending on the item, and the total score is compared to the corresponding descriptor. Scale range (0-52): A score of 0-7 is considered to be normal. Scores of 20 or higher indicate moderate, severe, or very severe depression, and are usually required for entry into a clinical trial.

    Time frame: Week 00 (baseline)

  2. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale Scores 17 at week12

    HAM-D is a multiple item questionnaire used to provide an indication of depression, and as a guide to evaluate recovery. Each item on the questionnaire is scored on a 3 or 5 point scale, depending on the item, and the total score is compared to the corresponding descriptor. Scale range (0-52): A score of 0-7 is considered to be normal. Scores of 20 or higher indicate moderate, severe, or very severe depression, and are usually required for entry into a clinical trial.

    Time frame: Week 12

Secondary outcomes

  1. Quick Inventory of Depression- Self Report 16

    Quick Inventory of Depression- Self Report assesses 16 depressive symptoms experienced in the past week, based on self-rating, measured at study exit visit Scale range (0-27): Each of the four possible answers to each quiz is given an ascending numerical value from 0 to 3, and the total test score is the sum of the following: The highest number from questions 1-4 The number from question 5 The highest number from questions 6-9 The total of each question from 10-14 The highest number from questions 15-16 Total score interpretation: 0-5 no depression, 6-10 mild depression, 11-15 moderate depression, 16-20 severe depression, 20 and above very severe depression

    Time frame: Weeks 00

  2. Quick Inventory of Depression- Self Report 16

    Quick Inventory of Depression- Self Report assesses 16 depressive symptoms experienced in the past week, based on self-rating, measured at study exit visit Scale range (0-27): Each of the four possible answers to each quiz is given an ascending numerical value from 0 to 3, and the total test score is the sum of the following: The highest number from questions 1-4 The number from question 5 The highest number from questions 6-9 The total of each question from 10-14 The highest number from questions 15-16 Total score interpretation: 0-5 no depression, 6-10 mild depression, 11-15 moderate depression, 16-20 severe depression, 20 and above very severe depression

    Time frame: Week 04

  3. Quick Inventory of Depression- Self Report 16

    Quick Inventory of Depression- Self Report assesses 16 depressive symptoms experienced in the past week, based on self-rating, measured at study exit visit Scale range (0-27): Each of the four possible answers to each quiz is given an ascending numerical value from 0 to 3, and the total test score is the sum of the following: The highest number from questions 1-4 The number from question 5 The highest number from questions 6-9 The total of each question from 10-14 The highest number from questions 15-16 Total score interpretation: 0-5 no depression, 6-10 mild depression, 11-15 moderate depression, 16-20 severe depression, 20 and above very severe depression

    Time frame: Week 12

  4. Quick Inventory of Depression- Self Report 16

    Quick Inventory of Depression- Self Report assesses 16 depressive symptoms experienced in the past week, based on self-rating, measured at study exit visit Scale range (0-27): Each of the four possible answers to each quiz is given an ascending numerical value from 0 to 3, and the total test score is the sum of the following: The highest number from questions 1-4 The number from question 5 The highest number from questions 6-9 The total of each question from 10-14 The highest number from questions 15-16 Total score interpretation: 0-5 no depression, 6-10 mild depression, 11-15 moderate depression, 16-20 severe depression, 20 and above very severe depression

    Time frame: Week 16

07

Results

Posted Sep 18, 2014
Limitations and caveats
Early termination leading to small numbers of subjects analyzed

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneTranylcypromine
Started13
Completed9
Not completed4

Outcome measures

PrimaryHamilton Depression Rating Scale Scores 17 at Baseline

HAM-D is a multiple item questionnaire used to provide an indication of depression, and as a guide to evaluate recovery. Each item on the questionnaire is scored on a 3 or 5 point scale, depending on the item, and the total score is compared to the corresponding descriptor. Scale range (0-52): A score of 0-7 is considered to be normal. Scores of 20 or higher indicate moderate, severe, or very severe depression, and are usually required for entry into a clinical trial.

Time frame:
Week 00 (baseline)
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale Scores 17 at Baseline
units on a scaleTranylcypromine
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale Scores 17 at Baseline23.2 ± 5.8
Statistical analysis
  • Tranylcypromine · paired t-test 2 sided · p = 0.012 · Mean difference (final values): 11.56 · 95% CI 3.25 to 19.86
SecondaryQuick Inventory of Depression- Self Report 16

Quick Inventory of Depression- Self Report assesses 16 depressive symptoms experienced in the past week, based on self-rating, measured at study exit visit Scale range (0-27): Each of the four possible answers to each quiz is given an ascending numerical value from 0 to 3, and the total test score is the sum of the following: The highest number from questions 1-4 The number from question 5 The highest number from questions 6-9 The total of each question from 10-14 The highest number from questions 15-16 Total score interpretation: 0-5 no depression, 6-10 mild depression, 11-15 moderate depression, 16-20 severe depression, 20 and above very severe depression

Time frame:
Weeks 00
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Quick Inventory of Depression- Self Report 16
units on a scaleTranylcypromine
Quick Inventory of Depression- Self Report 1617.78 ± 3.03
SecondaryQuick Inventory of Depression- Self Report 16

Quick Inventory of Depression- Self Report assesses 16 depressive symptoms experienced in the past week, based on self-rating, measured at study exit visit Scale range (0-27): Each of the four possible answers to each quiz is given an ascending numerical value from 0 to 3, and the total test score is the sum of the following: The highest number from questions 1-4 The number from question 5 The highest number from questions 6-9 The total of each question from 10-14 The highest number from questions 15-16 Total score interpretation: 0-5 no depression, 6-10 mild depression, 11-15 moderate depression, 16-20 severe depression, 20 and above very severe depression

Time frame:
Week 04
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Quick Inventory of Depression- Self Report 16
units on a scaleTranylcypromine
Quick Inventory of Depression- Self Report 1613.0 ± 6.27
SecondaryQuick Inventory of Depression- Self Report 16

Quick Inventory of Depression- Self Report assesses 16 depressive symptoms experienced in the past week, based on self-rating, measured at study exit visit Scale range (0-27): Each of the four possible answers to each quiz is given an ascending numerical value from 0 to 3, and the total test score is the sum of the following: The highest number from questions 1-4 The number from question 5 The highest number from questions 6-9 The total of each question from 10-14 The highest number from questions 15-16 Total score interpretation: 0-5 no depression, 6-10 mild depression, 11-15 moderate depression, 16-20 severe depression, 20 and above very severe depression

Time frame:
Week 12
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Quick Inventory of Depression- Self Report 16
units on a scaleTranylcypromine
Quick Inventory of Depression- Self Report 1610.38 ± 5.04
SecondaryQuick Inventory of Depression- Self Report 16

Quick Inventory of Depression- Self Report assesses 16 depressive symptoms experienced in the past week, based on self-rating, measured at study exit visit Scale range (0-27): Each of the four possible answers to each quiz is given an ascending numerical value from 0 to 3, and the total test score is the sum of the following: The highest number from questions 1-4 The number from question 5 The highest number from questions 6-9 The total of each question from 10-14 The highest number from questions 15-16 Total score interpretation: 0-5 no depression, 6-10 mild depression, 11-15 moderate depression, 16-20 severe depression, 20 and above very severe depression

Time frame:
Week 16
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Quick Inventory of Depression- Self Report 16
units on a scaleTranylcypromine
Quick Inventory of Depression- Self Report 169.89 ± 5.23
PrimaryHamilton Depression Rating Scale Scores 17 at week12

HAM-D is a multiple item questionnaire used to provide an indication of depression, and as a guide to evaluate recovery. Each item on the questionnaire is scored on a 3 or 5 point scale, depending on the item, and the total score is compared to the corresponding descriptor. Scale range (0-52): A score of 0-7 is considered to be normal. Scores of 20 or higher indicate moderate, severe, or very severe depression, and are usually required for entry into a clinical trial.

Time frame:
Week 12
Reported as:
Mean · Score on a scale
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale Scores 17 at week12
Score on a scaleTranylcypromine
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale Scores 17 at week1211.67 ± 6.29

Adverse events

Collected over Adverse event data were collected weekly from baseline(week 00) to week 16.. Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Tranylcypromine—0/9 (0%)5/9 (55.6%)
Most frequent other events
Most frequent other events
EventTranylcypromine
ConstipationGastrointestinal disorders4/9
DizzinessGeneral disorders4/9

Baseline characteristics

Age, Categorical
Age, Categorical(Participants)Tranylcypromine
<=18 years0
Between 18 and 65 years13
>=65 years0
Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(years)Tranylcypromine
Mean43.3 ± 10.5
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Tranylcypromine
Female8
Male5
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(participants)Tranylcypromine
United States13
08

Study locations

1 site
  • New York State Psychiatric Institute
    New York, New York 10032, United States
09

References and documents

10

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Sep 18, 2014, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
11

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT01031810
Lead sponsor
New York State Psychiatric Institute
Collaborators
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Dec 15, 2009
Start date
Nov 2009
Primary completion
Mar 2013
Completion
Mar 2013
Results posted
Sep 18, 2014
Last update
Sep 18, 2014

Study contacts

Patrick J McGrath, MD
principal investigator · New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is terminated, as verified in Oct 2013. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

Follow this study

Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.

Sign in to follow

Discussion

Questions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.

Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.

Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.

Start the discussion