CODA Study V1.0 01MAR2024
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating Comorbid Obesity and Treatment Resistant Depression and the Effects of Anti-inflammatory Medication, Minocycline, on Biological Pathways (CODA)
IRAS ID
333466
Contact name
Valeria Mondelli
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Scientists have found that the immune system – the body’s system dedicated to fighting infections – is in a state of “hyperactivity” in some patients with depression, despite the lack of any actual ongoing infection. This response is referred to as “inflammation”. This discovery has unveiled unique opportunities to identify new medications to help patients with this heightened inflammation who have also not been responding to their antidepressant medications. What we have yet to understand clearly however, is how an anti-inflammatory medication may have anti-depressant effects in the body.
Obesity and depression are two highly prevalent disorders globally, and research has found that roughly 30% of individuals with obesity also have a diagnosis of depression. One suggested mechanism behind this comorbidity is “hyperactivity” of the immune system. Building on what we know about “hyperactivity” in individuals with depression, recent research has also shown that the coexistence of depression and obesity in an individual amplifies the risk of heightened inflammation.
Furthermore, increased inflammation has also been shown in the central nervous system (i.e., the brain, cerebrospinal fluid) in patients with depression. Scientists have found that neuroinflammation (inflammation in the brain) impacts brain structure in patients with depression and patients with obesity, particularly impacting learning and memory.
The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of an anti-inflammatory medication (minocycline), alongside their regular anti-depressant medication, on biological inflammation-related pathways in patients with depression who are treatment-resistant, selected for increased inflammation levels.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/PR/0334
Date of REC Opinion
5 Apr 2024
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion