A Phase 2 interventional study of Baricitinib in Depressive Symptoms and Cognitive Symptom, sponsored by Emory University. Recruiting at 3 sites in United States. Open to male participants aged 30 Years to 55 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-24.
Sponsored by Emory University · Phase 2, Interventional, and Basic science
This study is being done to learn more about the role of inflammation in depressive and cognitive symptoms in patients with depression who have played at least 11 years of organized tackle football. This will be evaluated using a medication called baricitinib, which blocks one aspect of inflammation.
This study is being done to learn more about the role of inflammation in depressive and cognitive symptoms in patients with depression who have played at least 10 years of football. This will be assessed using a medication called baricitinib that blocks one aspect of inflammation.
This study will enroll depressed adult male football players enriched for high inflammation [blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP)], anhedonia, and cognitive dysfunction.
Qualifying participants will be asked to take the study medication once daily by mouth for 8 weeks and undergo MRI scans, provide blood and urine samples for safety or to measure biomarkers of inflammation, complete clinician-rated and self-report assessments of depressive and cognitive symptoms, and perform computer or paper-and-pencil tests of neurocognitive function. Blood and other biological samples may be stored for future research use, with the participant's consent.
8,577 studies on the registry are indexed under Depression; 1,720 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 30 is below the median of 81 across 7,063 interventional studies indexed under Depression.
Browse Depression studies →Emory University is the lead sponsor of 1,405 studies on the registry; 225 are open to participants now.
Of its 237 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 178 (75%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental health diagnoses. DSM-5 (2013, revised as DSM-5-TR in 2022) replaced DSM-IV, and some studies still name the older edition. “Meets DSM criteria for …” means diagnosed by that edition’s diagnostic criteria, usually by a clinician in an interview.
A condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.
Immunotherapy studies often leave out active autoimmune disease, and some name exceptions, such as thyroid disease on replacement hormone. Check the exceptions this study lists.
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.
Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
A recording of the heart’s electrical activity, taken with stickers on the chest, arms and legs. It takes a few minutes and does not hurt.
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A low level is anaemia, which can cause tiredness and breathlessness. Measured in g/dL or g/L (9 g/dL is 90 g/L).
Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
DSM diagnostic criteria
The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental health diagnoses. DSM-5 (2013, revised as DSM-5-TR in 2022) replaced DSM-IV, and some studies still name the older edition. “Meets DSM criteria for …” means diagnosed by that edition’s diagnostic criteria, usually by a clinician in an interview.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Autoimmune disease
A condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.
Immunotherapy studies often leave out active autoimmune disease, and some name exceptions, such as thyroid disease on replacement hormone. Check the exceptions this study lists.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hepatitis B tests
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.
Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
HIV
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ECG (electrocardiogram)
A recording of the heart’s electrical activity, taken with stickers on the chest, arms and legs. It takes a few minutes and does not hurt.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hemoglobin (Hb)
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A low level is anaemia, which can cause tiredness and breathlessness. Measured in g/dL or g/L (9 g/dL is 90 g/L).
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Platelets
Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants will receive 1 tablet/d of 2 mg baricitinib at baseline. For participants who do not exhibit a clinical response at 4 Weeks (a 50% reduction in HAM-D scores), the dose will be increased to 4 mg/day (2 tablets/d of baricitinib), as tolerated.
Drug: Baricitinib
Baricitinib is an orally administered, selective inhibitor of Janus kinase (JAK) 1 and 2. It reduces cytokine-mediated signaling involved in inflammation and immune activation. Baricitinib is FDA-approved for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), atopic dermatitis, and alopecia areata. It has also been authorized for the treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. Baricitinib will be dispensed every other week at the Week 2, 4, and 6 study visits. Participants who do not exhibit a clinical response (50% reduction in HAM-D scores from baseline) at Week 4 will be increased to 4 mg/day of baricitinib (2 x 2 mg tablets). A virtual follow-up visit will be conducted at Week 1 to assess safety and tolerability in all patients, and at Week 5 in patients who increase the dose.
Also known as: Olumiant
Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) Task functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
Resting-state and task-based MID Task functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The MID Task is a specialized behavioral paradigm used during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). It isolates and measures the neural mechanisms of reward processing, specifically motivational salience, anticipation, and outcome feedback. fMRI blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) for resting and task-based functional connectivity: A multi-echo (ME) ep2 BOLD sequence will be optimized to provide a high signal-to-noise ratio in regions of interest that is maintained during minor incidences of head motion. Resting ME BOLD will be acquired over \~10 min, and task fMRI will involve two \~10 min scans. For resting bold, a single acquisition of phase-encoding in the opposite polarity (anterior-posterior) for distortion correction over \~30 seconds.
Time frame: Baseline and weeks 2 and 8 post-intervention
Effort-Expenditure for Rewards Task (EEFRT)
The EEfRT is a widely used, multi-trial task measuring motivation for rewards as an assessment of anhedonia, as anhedonia is specifically associated with decreased motivation for rewards. Participants are given an opportunity to choose between two different task difficulty levels in order to obtain monetary rewards by repeated manual button presses within a short time. Button presses raise a virtual ''bar'' viewed onscreen. If they raise the bar to the ''top'' within the prescribed time, they are eligible to win the allotted money. Each trial presents the subject with a choice between two levels of task difficulty, a 'hard task' and an 'easy task,' and 3 probabilities of winning. Subjects participate in the task for 20 minutes, and the first 50 trials are analyzed by calculating the proportion of hard-task choices across each level of probability. Lower proportions of hard task choices indicate decreased motivation.
Time frame: Baseline and weeks 2, 4 and 8 post-intervention
Finger Tapping Test (FTT)
The Finger Tapping Test (FTT) is a simple neuropsychological assessment that measures fine motor speed, coordination, and nervous system health. This task uses a specially adapted tapper that the subject is asked to tap as fast as possible using the index finger. The subject is given 5 consecutive 10-second trials for both the preferred and non-preferred hands. The finger tapping score is the mean of the 5 trials and is computed for each hand. Normal/Average: 45-60 taps. Mild Slowing / Potential Impairment: 30-45 taps. Significant Motor Impairment / Fatigue: Fewer than 30 taps
Time frame: Baseline and weeks 2, 4 and 8 post-intervention
Trail-Making Test (TMT)
The Trail-Making Test (TMT) is a common neuropsychological assessment measuring processing speed, visual attention, and task-switching ability. The test is typically administered using a paper-and-pencil format (or digital equivalent) and has two primary sections: Part A: Patients connect 25 randomly distributed circles containing numbers in ascending order (1, 2, 3...) as quickly as possible. This measures baseline processing speed, motor speed, and visual scanning. Part B: Patients connect 25 circles containing both numbers and letters, strictly alternating between them in ascending order (1-A-2-B-3-C...). This places a much higher cognitive demand on mental flexibility, set-shifting, and working memory. Evaluators record the total time (in seconds) taken to complete each part. Longer times generally indicate poorer cognitive function.
Time frame: Baseline and weeks 2, 4 and 8 after baricitinib started
Anhedonia Subscale of the Inventory of Depressive Symptoms-Self Reported (IDSSR)
Anhedonia is assessed with a 3-item subscale of the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report (IDS-SR). Each of the three items is rated on a 4-point severity scale from 0 to 3, where 0 indicates no impairment, and 3 indicates maximum severity. Scores range from 0 to 9, with higher scores reflecting a greater severity of anhedonia, meaning a stronger loss of interest, motivation, and ability to experience pleasure.
Time frame: Baseline and weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8 post-intervention
Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF2A)
BRIEF2A is a standardized rating scale that allows adults and knowledgeable informants (caregivers, adult children, partners/spouses) to rate executive function or self-regulation in that adult's day-to-day setting. Scoring relies on T-scores (Mean = 50, Standard Deviation = 10). \< 60 T-score: Within Normal Limits. 60 - 64 T-score: Subclinical difficulties; subtle but generally manageable challenges. 65 - 69 T-score: Mildly elevated; noticeable executive function deficits. 70 - 74 T-score: Moderately elevated; significant executive dysfunction affecting daily life. \>= 75 T-score: Highly elevated; severe impairment.
Time frame: Baseline and weeks 2 and 8 post-intervention
Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale-Clinician (SHAPS-C)
The Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale-Clinician (SHAPS-C) is a 14-item validated clinician-administered assessment tool used to measure hedonic capacity and evaluate anhedonia (the inability to experience pleasure). The clinician asks the patient about their expected or actual ability to feel pleasure over the past few days, translating the standard self-report questions into a guided clinical interview. Responses are typically evaluated using a 4-point Likert scale (Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Agree, Strongly Agree). Total scores range from 0 to 14, with higher scores indicating greater difficulty experiencing pleasure or a higher level of anhedonia.
Time frame: Baseline and weeks 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8 after baricitinib started
Hamilton Depression (HAM-D) Rating Scale
Hamilton Depression (HAM-D) Rating Scale is the most widely used clinician-administered depression assessment scale. It evaluates symptoms such as mood, guilt, insomnia, anxiety, and weight loss over the previous week. Scores are tallied to estimate the severity of the depression, although context and clinical judgment are always required. Maximum score is 52 0 to 7: Normal/Remission 8 to 16: Mild Depression 17 to 23: Moderate Depression 24 or higher: Severe Depression
Time frame: Baseline and weeks 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8 post-intervention
Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSR)
The Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) evaluates both suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior. Minimum 0 (no ideation) to Max: 5 (active suicidal ideation with a specific plan and intent). Meaning of Scores:0: No suicidal ideation reported. 1. (Wish to be Dead): Endorses thoughts about a wish to be dead or not alive. 2. (Non-Specific Thoughts): General, non-specific thoughts of wanting to end life, without methods or plans. 3. (Method, No Intent/Plan): Thoughts of suicide with a specific method in mind, but no intent or actual plan to act. 4. (Some Intent, No Plan): Thoughts of suicide and some intent to act, but without fully mapped-out details. 5. (Specific Plan and Intent): Fully or partially worked-out details of a suicide plan with intent to carry it out.
Time frame: Baseline and weeks 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8 post-intervention
Phosphorylated Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (pSTAT3)
Intracellular pSTAT3 in peripheral blood immune cells will be assessed by flow cytometric methods.
Time frame: Baseline and weeks 2 and 8 post-intervention
Inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF)
IL-1, IL-6, TNF and their soluble receptors will be analyzed by multiplex bead-based assays, previously validated against individual ELISA.
Time frame: Baseline and weeks 2 and 8 post-intervention
High-sensitivity (hs) CRP
High-sensitivity (hs) CRP will be assayed using an immunoturbidometric assay with a Beckman AU480 chemistry analyzer and Ultra WR CRP kit (Sekisui Diagnostics).
Time frame: Baseline and weeks 2 and 8 post-intervention
Plan to share: No
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Studies of the drug tested here: Baricitinib