An observational study in Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors and Major Depressive Episode (MDE), sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-23.
Sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital · Observational
This is a prospective observational biomarker study assessing changes in clinical, behavioral, neuroimaging, and neurophysiological measurer following ketamine/esketamine or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in adults with suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Suicide remains a major public health challenge, and there is a critical need for objective biomarkers that can improve understanding of suicide risk and guide the development of more effective treatments.
Participants with a mood disorder and moderate to severe suicidal thoughts or behaviors will undergo clinical assessments, behavioral testing, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalography (EEG), and digital monitoring before and after an acute course of ECT or ketamine/esketamine treatment. The study will examine how changes in brain circuits, physiology, behavior, and digital measures relate to improvement in suicidal symptoms. Findings from this study may help identify biomarkers that predict treatment response and support the future development of personalized interventions for suicide prevention.
569 studies on the registry are indexed under Suicidal Ideation; 203 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 60 is below the median of 143 across 74 observational studies indexed under Suicidal Ideation.
Browse Suicidal Ideation studies →Massachusetts General Hospital is the lead sponsor of 2,586 studies on the registry; 447 are open to participants now.
Of its 222 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 168 (76%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Adults aged 18-65 years with a major depressive episode associated with Major Depressive Disorder or Bipolar Disorder and moderate to severe suicidal thoughts or behaviors who are receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), intravenous ketamine, or intranasal esketamine as part of routine clinical care within the Mass General Brigham Health System. Participants are enrolled into an observational biomarker study evaluating clinical, behavioral, neuroimaging, and neurophysiological correlates of treatment response.
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.
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.
Participants with a major depressive episode and moderate to severe suicidal thoughts or behaviors who are scheduled to receive intravenous ketamine or intranasal esketamine as part of routine clinical care. Treatment is determined by the clinical care team and is not assigned by the study. Participants complete clinical, behavioral, MRI, and EEG assessments before and after treatment.
Participants with a major depressive episode and moderate to severe suicidal thoughts or behaviors who are scheduled to receive an acute course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as part of routine clinical care. Treatment is determined by the clinical care team and is not assigned by the study. Participants complete clinical, behavioral, MRI, and EEG assessments before and after treatment.
Change in Suicidal Ideation Severity
Change in suicidal ideation severity from pre-treatment baseline to completion of the acute treatment course, measured using the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI).
Time frame: Baseline and post-treatment assessment (approximately 2-8 weeks)
Change in Functional Brain Connectivity
Change in functional connectivity within neural circuits implicated in suicidal thoughts and behaviors, measured using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Analyses will focus on circuit-level biomarkers associated with treatment response.
Time frame: Baseline and post-treatment assessment (approximately 2-8 weeks)
Change in Neurophysiological Circuit Activity
Change in neurophysiological measures associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors, assessed using high-density electroencephalography (EEG).
Time frame: Baseline and post-treatment assessment (approximately 2-8 weeks)
No study locations are listed for this record.
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Jun 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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