Projects

Treatment-Resistant Depression study

Antidepressant medications (ADM) are the first line of treatment for major depressive disorder. Yet more than 60% individuals prescribed with ADMs fail to achieve remission and 50% further remain resistant to second and subsequent rounds of ADMs. There are currently no clinically useful prognostic markers that can identify patients who are likely to resist ADM treatments.

This project aims to study individuals with treatment resistant depression using a novel MR Imaging based technique called “connectomics”. This project will use this new technique to: 1) map detailed neural circuitry architecture to understand neural mechanisms of why some people remain resistant to ADMs, and 2) identify connectomic based biomarkers that could potentially be clinically useful to identify treatment resistant depressed patients prior to commencement of ADM treatment.

We are seeking people (aged between 18-65 years) clinically diagnosed with major depression disorder and that have not responded to treatment. The focus of this study is to improve our knowledge of depression and will not involve any medication or therapy. Participation involves visiting The Westmead Institute for Medical Research for an interview, MRI brain scan, cognitive assessments and an EEG. Participants will be reimbursed for their time.

Exclusion Criteria: insufficient English, current primary diagnosis of eating disorder, personality disorder, PTSD, substance dependence, current pregnancy, history or current neurological disorder or brain injury, recent history (in the last 6 months) of electroconvulsive therapy or transcranial magnetic stimulation.

If you are interested in participating, or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact Ana Rita Barreiros on 8627 3319 or ana.barreiros@sydney.edu.au.


Biology of Agomelatine – a Clinical Trial on Depression

Mental illness remains one of the most complex group of diseases. At the Brain Dynamics Centre we are constantly working towards developing new diagnostic tools and better personalized treatments.

The study “Agomelatine in Depression: An Open-Label Study of Agomelatine in Adults with Major Depressive Disorder” aims to understand the brain patterns, cognition, and behavior in patients with major depressive disorder who show clinical improvement while on adjunctive treatment with Agomelatine. The study will collect data from electroencephalography (EEG), cognitive testing, genetic sampling, and wearable devices. This study will examine the electrical activity of the brain to identify specific brain activation patterns and their responses to treatment with commercially available Agomelatine.

To be eligible for this study:
•    You must have moderate to severe Major Depressive Disorder
•    You must be 18 to <75 years of age. 
•    For the current depressive episode, you must have failed < 3 prior antidepressant medications, and must remain on their last failed currently prescribed antidepressant medication. 
Exclusion criteria: 
•    Diagnosis  of bipolar disorder or psychotic disorder
•    Concurrent use of antipsychotics or mood stabilizers
•    Hepatic impairment
•    Pregnant or breastfeeding
•    Severe impediment to vision, hearing, comprehension, and/or hand movement that interferes with study tasks
•    Concurrent participation in any other research study aimed at treating mental illness and involving an investigational product or device

Patients will be referred back to their treating clinicians after their participation in the study.

All participants will receive study drug (agomelatine) paid for by the sponsor during the study and for 6 months after the end of the study along with reimbursement for reasonable expenses related to participation in the study. The study is approved by Western Sydney Local Health District - Human Research Ethics Committee.

Please contact the Clinical Trial Coordinator Ana Rita Barreiros on +61(2)86273319 or ana.barreiros@sydney.edu.au to discuss any questions.  
 

Previous projects
iSPOT-D study
iSPOT-D was the largest biomarker study ever undertaken in major depressive disorder. The aim of this study was to identify genetic, brain and cognitive markers (or combinations of markers) that predict specific response to a range of antidepressants (sertraline, escitalopram, venlafaxine) in patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD). This ground breaking study, funded by Brain Resource, may change the way in which personalised medicine is implemented in depression.

Family of Depression Study
The aim of this project was to understand vulnerability for depression in individuals. By understanding how depression develops, we can develop prevention and early intervention strategies. 
We investigated a range of contributing factors including genetics, brain, behaviour, personality and experienced symptoms, as well as the impact of life events. We will follow participants up one year after the initial visit to see how the initial measures relate to wellbeing and symptom development overtime. Integration across these measures will contribute to a deeper understanding of the development of depression.