Depression
Conditions
Keywords
Major Depressive Disorder, MDD
Brief summary
This study will determine the effectiveness of desipramine in improving cellular signaling, and thereby decreasing symptoms of depression in people with major depressive disorder (MDD).
Detailed description
MDD is a serious mental illness that can interfere with a person's ability to eat, sleep, work, and enjoy activities that were once pleasurable. It is characterized by several symptoms, including as the following: persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood; feelings of hopelessness or pessimism; and feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness. The receptor-G protein-adenylate cyclase enzyme complex (AC enzyme complex) is a major cell signaling system in the brain, blood, and other tissues in the body. Changes in this signaling system among blood cells have been observed in people with major depressive disorder. Research has shown that treatment with the benzodiazepine alprazolam corrects the signaling problem, and thereby improves symptoms of MDD. This study will determine whether impairments in the AC enzyme complex exist among depressed individuals. This study will also evaluate the effectiveness of desipramine, an antidepressant, in improving blood cell signaling, and thereby decreasing symptoms of depression in people with major depressive disorder. Both healthy and depressed participants will be recruited for this study. All depressed participants in this study will first be assessed for depression severity using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. If eligible for the study, participants will be examined to determine AC enzyme complex functioning in both platelets and mononuclear leukocytes. A cohort of the depressed participants will be treated with desipramine. They will be examined to determine the drug's effect on AC enzyme complex functioning, as well as its effect on MDD symptoms, at Weeks 1, 4, and 6.
Interventions
DRUGDesipramine
Sponsors
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Harvard Medical School (HMS and HSDM)
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
19 Years to 64 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Clinical diagnosis of MDD (as defined by SCID \[DSM III-R\] and a score of at least 15 on the 21-item Hamilton Depression Scale) * Able to swallow tablets, give urine and blood samples, and participate in periodic evaluations during the study * Healthy volunteers show no current Axis I or Axis II disorders and score less than 8 on the Hamilton Depression Scale
Exclusion criteria
* Use of any of the following medications within the 2 weeks prior to study entry: psychoactive medication; aspirin; or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents * Any alcohol or drug abuse within the 6 months prior to study entry * Any major medical disorder
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Measured at Weeks 1, 4, and 6: Catecholamine metabolism and blood cell adenylate cyclase activity | — |
| Score on the 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale | — |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed