Studying brain receptors and decision-making in people with depression
Examines brain receptor activity and decisions in adults with current or past depression.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Beyond Monoamines: The Role of the Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Receptor in Major Depression
Key facts
- Where
- Belmont, United StatesSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 45 years old?
Source: NCT05630963, who can take part
Where in United States
- McLean HospitalBelmont, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Mclean Hospital
- Trial code
- NCT05630963
- Record updated
- 21 October 2025
- Original description
This study looks at the role of the Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ receptor system in the brain of individuals with current or past major depressive disorder (MDD). It also examines how individuals with a history of depression make certain decisions and which brain regions are involved in such decisions. Information collected through MRI, PET, biospecimens (i.e., blood, saliva) and behavioral tasks will be used to predict depressive symptoms in the future.Read full original descriptionShow less
Beyond Monoamines: The Role of the Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Receptor in Major Depression
This study looks at the role of the Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ receptor system in the brain of individuals with current or past major depressive disorder (MDD). It also examines how individuals with a history of depression make certain decisions and which brain regions are involved in such decisions. Information collected through MRI, PET, biospecimens (i.e., blood, saliva) and behavioral tasks will be used to predict depressive symptoms in the future.
Inclusion: All genders, races, and ethnic origins, aged between 18 and 45; Capable of providing written informed consent, and fluent in English; Right-handed; Absence of any psychotropic medications for at least 2 weeks; Has a smartphone (iPhone or Android) (needed for Ecological Momentary Assessment); Meets inclusion criteria for all subjects, plus:; History of MDD as defined by DSM-5; Absence of anxiety disorder for the past two months; Meets inclusion criteria for all subjects, plus:; Presence of MDD as defined by DSM-5; Absence of anxiety disorder for the past two months.
Exclusion: Pregnant women or women of childbearing potential who are not using a medically accepted means of contraception (defined as oral contraceptive pill or implant, condom, diaphragm, spermicide, IUD, s/p tubal ligation, or partner with vasectomy); Current use of other psychotropic drugs; Serious or unstable medical illness, including cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, respiratory, endocrine, neurologic or hematologic disease; History of seizure disorder; History of psychiatric illnesses, other than depression or anxiety disorders among the Current MDD and Remitted MDD groups; History of substance use disorder or alcohol use disorder (as these terms are defined by DSM-5); except depressed subjects may have a history of 'Mild' substance/alcohol use disorder only if it ended as least 12 months ago; History of cocaine or stimulant use or dopaminergic drugs; History or current diagnosis of dementia, or a score of < 26 on the Mini Mental State Examination at the screening visit; Patients with a lifetime history of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT); Failure to meet standard MRI safety requirements; History of seizure disorder; Contraindications for arterial line (e.g., abnormal result on Allen test, Raynaud's syndrome, history of anemia or bleeding disorder, history of fainting from blood draws); Clinical or laboratory evidence of hypothyroidism; Subjects with suicidal ideation where outpatient treatment is determined unsafe by the study clinician. These patients will be immediately referred to appropriate clinical treatment; Patients with mood congruent or mood incongruent psychotic features; Abnormal ECG and lab results.