Mechanisms of Behavioral Activation (BA)

Description

The investigators will be comparing brain (neural) activation of depressed adolescent patients before, during and after a course of Behavioral Activation (BA) therapy using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In particular, the project seeks to determine whether BA targets different neural mechanisms for behavioral avoidance associated with low motivation as compared to threat avoidance. A group of healthy controls will also be scanned as a comparator group for behavioral and imaging measures.

Conditions

Depression

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

The investigators will be comparing brain (neural) activation of depressed adolescent patients before, during and after a course of Behavioral Activation (BA) therapy using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In particular, the project seeks to determine whether BA targets different neural mechanisms for behavioral avoidance associated with low motivation as compared to threat avoidance. A group of healthy controls will also be scanned as a comparator group for behavioral and imaging measures.

Multi-level Mechanisms of Behavioral Activation Therapy for Adolescent Depression

Mechanisms of Behavioral Activation (BA)

Condition
Depression
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Atlanta

Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30322

Atlanta

Facility for Education and Research in Neuroscience (FERN), Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30322

Atlanta

Child and Adolescent Mood Program (CAMP), Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30329

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Male and female adolescents ages 15-17;
  • * current MDD diagnosis as determined by K-SADS-PL,
  • * CDRS-R raw score \> 45 (T-score \> 65) at baseline;
  • * estimated full scale IQ \> 80 as determined by the WASI-II;
  • * able to receive outpatient care;
  • * willing to not partake in other psychosocial treatments;
  • * not taking psychotropic medications in the two weeks (four weeks for fluoxetine) prior to consent, with the exception of psychostimulant medication prescribed for the treatment of ADHD.
  • * Additionally, depressed patients must have access to required technology (e.g. smart phone, tablet, or desktop computer) to complete the EMA portion of the study.
  • * Healthy controls cannot not meet criteria for MDD and their CDRS-R raw score must be below 28; T-score \< 52).
  • * Current or past diagnosis of bipolar, schizophrenia, schizophreniform, schizoaffective disorders, or psychosis NOS;
  • * current diagnosis of developmental disorder, severe conduct disorder, life-threatening anorexia, OCD, or autism-spectrum disorders;
  • * taking psychotropic medications prior to entry;
  • * estimated IQ \< 80; alcohol/drug dependence or abuse within the last 3 months;
  • * potential/confirmed neurological disorder or epilepsy;
  • * claustrophobia;
  • * presence of a medical condition that precludes fMRI;
  • * endorsement of imminent and serious suicidality;
  • * medical conditions that take precedence over the presence of MDD;
  • * pregnancy;
  • * substance use (excluding nicotine) within two weeks of the fMRI scan;
  • * left-handedness;
  • * nicotine use within 3 hours of the fMRI scan;
  • * history of traumatic brain injury or of being unconscious for more than 30 minutes;
  • * a stimulant regime for ADHD which has changed within 30 days of the fMRI scan.
  • * Non-compliance (i.e. \<70% completion) or inability (i.e. lack of smartphone device) to complete the 3 assessment periods of EMA.

Ages Eligible for Study

15 Years to 17 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Emory University,

Wade E Craighead, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Emory University

Study Record Dates

2027-05