Imaging the Effects of Serotonin 2A Receptor Modulation on Synaptic Density in Treatment-resistant Depression (SYNVEST)

Trial details

Who runs it

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Trial code

NCT06512220

Record updated

19 October 2026

Original description

Psilocybin, the chemical component of "magic mushrooms", has been administered with psychotherapy in several randomized clinical trials (RCTs) showing large and sustained antidepressant effects. In healthy volunteers, the psychedelic effects of psilocybin have been shown to be blocked by administration of certain medications such as risperidone.Read full original descriptionShow less

Psilocybin, the chemical component of "magic mushrooms", has been administered with psychotherapy in several randomized clinical trials (RCTs) showing large and sustained antidepressant effects. In healthy volunteers, the psychedelic effects of psilocybin have been shown to be blocked by administration of certain medications such as risperidone.

The purpose of this study is to use an established SV2A radiotracer produced at our Centre to determine the feasibility of integrating PET imaging in to psilocybin trials. The preliminary imaging data will assess whether psilocybin's antidepressant effects are related to changes in synaptic density in adults with TRD, and whether any changes in synaptic density are associated with psilocybin's actions on the 5-HT2AR.

Inclusion: Adults 18 to 65 years old; Must be deemed to have capacity to provide informed consent; Must sign and date the informed consent form; Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures; Ability to read and communicate in English, such that their literacy and comprehension is sufficient for understanding the consent form and study questionnaires, as evaluated by study staff obtaining consent; Primary DSM-5 diagnosis of non-psychotic MDD, single or recurrent, based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5) administered at the first screening visit; Participants diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression defined as individuals with a baseline HamD-17 score > 14 and that have not responded to two or more separate trials of antidepressants at an adequate dosage and duration based on the Antidepressant Treatment History Form Short Form (ATHF-SF) (Sackeim et al., 2019); there is no upper limit on the number of treatment failures; Ability to take oral medication; Individuals who are capable of becoming pregnant: use of highly effective contraception for at least 3 months prior to screening and agreement to use such a method during study participation; Individuals who are willing to taper off current antidepressant and antipsychotic medications for a minimum of 2-weeks (or more depending on the medication) prior to Baseline (V2) and whose physician confirms that it is safe for them to do so; and; Agreement to adhere to Lifestyle Considerations (section 4.5) throughout study duration.

Exclusion: Treatment with another investigational drug or other intervention within 30 days of Screening (V1); Have initiated psychotherapy in the preceding 12 weeks prior to Screening (V1); Participant exceeds the annual or lifetime amount of radiation; Any other clinically significant physical illness including chronic infectious diseases or any other major concurrent illness that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with the interpretation of the study results or constitute a health risk for the participant if they take part in the study; Have a DSM-5 diagnosis of substance use disorder (use of tobacco is permitted) within the preceding 6 months; Any DSM-5 lifetime diagnosis of a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder; obsessive-compulsive disorder, psychotic disorder (unless substance induced or due to a medical condition), bipolar I or II disorder, paranoid personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, or neurocognitive disorder as determined by medical history and the SCID-5 clinical interview; Any first-degree relative with a diagnosis of schizophrenia-spectrum disorder; psychotic disorder (unless substance-induced or due to a medical condition); or bipolar I disorder as determined by the family medical history form and discussions with the participant; Presence of a relative or absolute contraindication to psilocybin, including a drug allergy, recent stroke history, uncontrolled hypertension, low or labile blood pressure, recent myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmic, severe coronary artery disease, or moderate to severe renal or hepatic impairment; History of allergy or contraindication to risperidone; Current or past traumatic brain injury or other neurological/neurodegenerative disorder; Blood disorders, disorders of coagulation, or ongoing use of anticoagulant medication; Any disability that may prevent the participant from completing study requirements (e.g., non-correctable clinically significant sensory impairment such as not hearing well enough to communicate with study personnel during scans, or physical disability that does not allow them to lie still on the scanner bed for 1-2 hours); Presence of baseline prolonged QTc or Torsade de Pointes as measured by the ECG or a history of long QTc syndrome or related risk factors; Pregnant as assessed by a urine pregnancy test at Screening (V1) or individual's that intend to become pregnant during the study or are breastfeeding; Have active suicidal ideation with intent and plan as determined by item 3 of the HamD-17; Unable or unwilling to undergo PET or MRI scanning (e.g. claustrophobia, pacemaker).

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06512220