NCT03428828Completed
Neurofeedback for Treatment Resistant Depression
Amygdala rtfMRI Neurofeedback for Treatment Resistant Depression
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 4 Mar 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical efficacy of real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (rtfMRI-nf) training to increase the amygdala's response to positive autobiographical memories in patients with depression who are considered treatment-resistant
- Status (registry)
- Completed
- Study type
- Interventional
- Enrollment
- 60 (actual)
- First submitted
- 1 Feb 2018
- Start date
- 22 Oct 2018
- Primary completion date
- 1 Mar 2026
- Lead sponsor
- Kymberly Young
- Diseases
- Depression
- NCT number
- NCT03428828
What you commit to
- Study type: Interventional
- Participants enrolled: 60
- From 22 Oct 2018 to the primary completion date, 1 Mar 2026
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- met DSM-IV criteria for alcohol and/or substance dependence (other than nicotine) within 12 months prior to screening
- current (within 3 weeks of testing) use of any antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, stimulants, benzodiazepines, beta-blockers, or other medications (except SSRI antidepressants) likely to influence cerebral blood flow. Effective medications will not be discontinued for the purposes of the study. Inclusion of patients on stable antidepressant medications was decided in order to allow generalization towards a real world population
Other illness
- have a clinically significant or unstable cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine, neurological, gastrointestinal illness or unstable medical disorder
- have a history of traumatic brain injury
- have a DSM-5 diagnosis of psychotic or organic mental disorder, bipolar I or II disorder or any past or current manic or hypomanic symptoms, autism, or a primary diagnosis of an anxiety disorder (though co-morbid anxiety will not be excluded)
Other
- are unable to complete MRI scan due to claustrophobia or general MRI exclusions (e.g., shrapnel inside body)
- are currently pregnant or breast feeding
- are unable to complete questionnaires written in English
- have any eye problems or difficulties in corrected vision.
Who the study is looking for
- right-handed adults (ages 18 - 55) with a primary diagnosis of MDD according to diagnostic criteria DSM-5 for recurrent MDD who are currently depressed will be recruited to participate
- must be able to give written informed consent prior to participation
- must have fewer than 45% memories categorized as specific on the Autobiographical Memory Test
- must have a SHAPS score \> 4, indicating the presence of anhedonia
- unmedicated or stable on an SSRI antidepressant regime (at least 3 weeks to ensure symptoms are stable)
- previously failed to respond to two previous SSRI medications according to either a medical record review or clinical interview during Visit 1
Age in the registry: 18 years to 55 years · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pittsburgh Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Pittsburgh | United States | Unknown status |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.