FSAREP
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging signatures of depression and response to antidepressants in early psychosis
IRAS ID
281097
Contact name
Filippo Queirazza
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 27 days
Research summary
People suffering from early psychosis (i.e. the first five years of psychosis) are also at significant risk of developing depressive symptoms such as flattened affect, reduced interest, inability to experience pleasure, lack of motivation and energy, social withdrawal. Clinically, it is almost impossible to distinguish these symptoms from the negative symptoms that patients also manifest as part of their psychotic illness. Importantly, whilst depressive symptoms can be successfully treated with antidepressants, negative symptoms are difficult to treat and tend to run a chronic course. Unfortunately there is no clinical test that helps differentiate negative from depressive symptoms and clinicians typically prescribe antidepressants on trial and error basis. This will inevitably result in unnecessary and expensive treatment trials. This study will test the validity of a novel biomarker as predictor of response to antidepressants using a technique called functional magnetic resonance imaging or fMRI for short. Participants will be recruited from ESTEEM or community mental health teams in Glasgow. The study consists of 3 visits comprising of clinical assessments (before and after each participant starts antidepressant treatment) and a single neuroimaging visit.
REC name
London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/0724
Date of REC Opinion
29 Oct 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion