Brain Abnormalities in Late-Onset Major Depression

Major Depression Clinical Trial

Official title:

Structural and Functional Cerebral Findings in Late-Onset Major Depression

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00260468
• Other study ID #: 20051050
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: November 30, 2005
• Last updated: October 21, 2009
• Start date: November 2005
• Est. completion date: December 2008

Study information

• Verified date: October 2009
• Source: University of Aarhus
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: Denmark: National Board of Health
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

The objective of this project is to examine the state of the brain in people over 50 years old suffering from late-onset depression by means of an extensive clinical assessment programme, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), neuropsychological testing, neurological examination, eye examination as well as blood and saliva samples. The results are to be compared with results from a control group matched for gender and age.

Description:

Major depression is a frequent and serious disorder with different prognoses and complications with respect to lack of treatment response, recurrence and suicide.

MRI of the brain can provide information about changes in the brain tissue with depression, e.g. lesions of nerve connections, small thrombi or changes in the blood flow. These changes appear primarily after the age of 50 and are seen in cases of diabetes and high blood pressure. Furthermore, the connection between disruptions in the body's stress response system and depression will be explored, which is very important since studies indicate that stress and depression can affect certain brain parts permanently. This will give us a better understanding of the connection between brain changes, neuropsychology and depression prognosis, which is decisive for accurate diagnostics, effective treatment and targeted prevention of the disease in the long run.

The project is part of a larger clinical assessment programme in the Neuropsychiatric Unit under the Centre for Basic Psychiatric Research, Aarhus Psychiatric Hospital, Denmark, which gives us unique possibilities of combining research and daily clinical work. The hope is in the future to be able to offer patients in the risk group better assessment and treatment to prevent complications and recurrence.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 44
• Est. completion date: December 2008
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Both
• Age group: 50 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• first time major depression

• age over 50 years

• Caucasian

• admitted at a psychiatric hospital or treated at a local psychiatric clinic in Aarhus Amt

Exclusion Criteria:

• major brain damage (e.g. stroke, epilepsy, trauma)

• major alcohol or drug abuse

Study Design

Observational Model: Case Control, Time Perspective: Cross-Sectional

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Depression
• Depressive Disorder
• Depressive Disorder, Major
• Major Depression

Intervention

Other:
• Clinical examination program
Psychiatric/clinical interview MRI scan Blood samples Saliva samples Eye examination

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Denmark	Centre for Psychiatric Research, Aarhus University Hospital	Risskov

Sponsors (3)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Aarhus	Bayer, The Danish Medical Research Council

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Denmark, 

External Links

•   Centre for Psychiatric Research, Aarhus University Hospital, Risskov, Denmark