Brain imaging of impulse control in bipolar disorder and major depression
Compares brain activity during inhibition tasks in adults with bipolar disorder or depression.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of Inhibitory Control in Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder
Key facts
- Where
- Reims, FranceSee 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 65 years old?
Source: NCT07503275, who can take part
Where in France
- CHU ReimsReims, FranceNo longer taking part
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
- CHU de Reims
- Trial code
- NCT07503275
- Record updated
- 31 March 2026
- Original description
Bipolar disorder and unipolar depressive disorder are two chronic mood disorders associated with a significant social impact, even during euthymic phases. Their differential diagnosis remains complex, particularly when bipolar disorder begins with a depressive episode. Identifying distinctive markers between these pathologies therefore represents a major clinical and economic challenge, as appropriate mood-stabilizing treatment can reduce healthcare costs and improve patients' functional outcomes.Read full original descriptionShow less
Neurofunctional Characterization of Inhibitory Control in Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder
Bipolar disorder and unipolar depressive disorder are two chronic mood disorders associated with a significant social impact, even during euthymic phases. Their differential diagnosis remains complex, particularly when bipolar disorder begins with a depressive episode. Identifying distinctive markers between these pathologies therefore represents a major clinical and economic challenge, as appropriate mood-stabilizing treatment can reduce healthcare costs and improve patients' functional outcomes.
Among potential biomarkers, executive functions-and more specifically inhibition-have received particular attention. Inhibitory deficits are observed in both disorders, including during euthymic states, and also among first-degree relatives, suggesting their potential as cognitive and cerebral endophenotypes. These deficits may help explain the difficulties in emotion regulation and impulsivity frequently observed in mood disorders.
Two components of inhibition are distinguished:
1. Behavioral inhibition, which refers to the ability to stop an ongoing response. 2. Interference control, which refers to the ability to resist distraction. These processes rely on partially distinct neural networks and operate at different stages of information processing. The few studies comparing these two components in bipolar disorder have shown contradictory results, and neuroimaging investigations have only partially explored these mechanisms, particularly their emotional dimension. It is, however, well established that patients with bipolar or depressive disorders show greater difficulties in executive tasks involving emotional stimuli than in purely cognitive tasks.
The study is expected to reveal:
* Differences in brain activation between euthymic bipolar and unipolar depressive patients in regions involved in inhibitory control, modulated by the emotional content of the task. * Distinct cognitive performance profiles according to pathology, reflecting specific alterations in inhibitory and interference processes.
These findings should provide a better understanding of the differential neurocognitive bases of mood disorders. Identifying specific cognitive and neural profiles could contribute to more accurate differential diagnosis and to the personalization of therapeutic interventions, particularly through cognitive remediation strategies targeting executive and emotional deficits.
Inclusion: Patients between 18 and 65 years old, men or women, right-handed; Having a diagnosis of bipolar disorder or depressive disorder; No substantial change in treatment for 2 weeks preceding study enrollment; Being a native French speaker; Patients enrolled in the national healthcare insurance program; Consenting to participate to the study; Participants between 18 and 65 years old, men or women, right-handed; Being a native French speaker; Patients enrolled in the national healthcare insurance program; Consenting to participate to the study.
Exclusion: The presence of any alcohol use disorder or any other substance use disorder in the last six months, except for tobacco dependence; A significant general medical illness, including neurological disorders or head trauma; A sensorial impairment uncorrected (visual and/or hearing); Group 3 and 4: Healthy control participants; A diagnosis of schizophrenia or of bipolar disorder or of major depressive disorder according to DSM-5 criteria; The presence of any alcohol use disorder or any other substance use disorder in the last six months, except for tobacco dependence; Participants having one first-degree relative presenting an bipolar disorder or depressive disorder or schizophrenia according to DSM-5 criteria; A significant general medical illness, including neurological disorders or head trauma; A sensorial impairment uncorrected (visual and/or hearing); Contraindication to the use of MRI; Contraindication to the use of MRI.
Group 1 and 2: Bipolar patients, Depressive patients.