Genetic and Neural Predictors of Adolescent Depression

NCT01743716 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2012P002351
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to examine the relationship between mood and brain activity in adolescent girls in order to better understand the genetic and neural predictors of adolescent depression. The participants in this study will be healthy female adolescents aged 12-14 and their mothers. They will participate for a total of six months. Adolescent participants will have three study sessions at McLean Hospital, and during two of them, their mothers will also have assessments. Adolescent assessments will include interviews, questionnaires, computer tasks, and collection of a saliva sample for genetic analyses. Their second study visit will include an fMRI scan. Parent assessments will include an interview, questionnaires, and a computer task.

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder

Keywords

Major Depressive Disorder; MDD; depression; adolescent

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Neurobiological Activity in Frontostriatal and Mesolimbic Regions

  Baseline

• Depressive Symptoms

  6 months

Study Arms (4)

MDD Mothers

Adult women with a history of major depressive disorder (MDD) and a healthy adolescent daughter between the ages of 12-14

Healthy Control Mothers

Adult women with no history of psychopathology and an adolescent daughter between the ages of 12-14

High Risk Female Adolescents

Healthy female adolescents aged 12-14 with a mother in the MDD Mothers cohort

Healthy Female Adolescents

Healthy female adolescents aged 12-14 with a mother in the Healthy Control Mothers cohort.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 12 Years+
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This study will include two adult and two adolescent cohorts. The adult cohort includes two different groups of mothers: (a) MDD Mothers: Mothers with current or past major depressive disorder and (b) Healthy Control Mothers: Mothers with no history of psychopathology. The female adolescent cohorts are as follows: (c) High Risk Female Adolescents: Healthy female adolescents aged 12-14 with a mother reporting past or current MDD, (d) Healthy Female Adolescents: Healthy female adolescents aged 12-14 with a mother reporting no history of psychopathology.

You may qualify if:

• Current or past Major Depressive Disorder
• English as first language or English fluency

You may not qualify if:

• No history of psychopathology
• English as first language or English fluency
• Adolescent Cohort
• Female
• Ages 12-14
• English as first language or English fluency
• Right handed
• Past or present diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder
• Past or present diagnosis of any anxiety disorder
• Past or present diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder
• Past or present diagnosis of ADHD
• Presence of medical or neurological illness (head injury, loss of consciousness greater than 5 minutes, seizure)
• Current use of psychotropic medication
• Presence of any contraindication for MRI:
• Cardiac pacemakers

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Mclean Hospital: lead
• The Klingenstein Third Generation Foundation: collaborator
• The Dana Foundation: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

McLean Hospital

Belmont, Massachusetts, 02478, United States

Location

Biospecimen

Retention: SAMPLES WITH DNA

Adolescent participants will provide a saliva sample for DNA analysis.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depressive Disorder, Major; Depression

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Depressive Disorder; Mood Disorders; Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Study Officials

• Randy P. Auerbach, PhD

  Mclean Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Diego A. Pizzagalli, PhD

  Mclean Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Director

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 4, 2012
• First Posted: December 6, 2012
• Study Start: April 1, 2013
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2021
• Study Completion: December 1, 2021
• Last Updated: March 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Locations

US (1)