NCT07555743

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Daridorexant in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients with comorbid insomnia. The main questions to answer are:

  • Receive Daridorexant or placebo for a duration of three months
  • Complete a Sleep Diary and other questionnaires assessing sleep and depressive symptoms.
  • Undergo polysomnography to obtain objective measurements of sleep parameters.

Trial Health

63
Monitor

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
134

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for phase_4

Timeline
29mo left

Started Apr 2026

Typical duration for phase_4

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
not yet recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress4%
Apr 2026Oct 2028

Study Start

First participant enrolled

April 1, 2026

Completed
8 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

April 9, 2026

Completed
20 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

April 29, 2026

Completed
11 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

April 1, 2027

Expected
1.5 years until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

October 1, 2028

Last Updated

April 29, 2026

Status Verified

April 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

1 year

First QC Date

April 9, 2026

Last Update Submit

April 21, 2026

Conditions

Keywords

DaridorexantClinical TrialInsomniaMajor depressive disorderPolysomnographyInsomnia Severity Index

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Insomnia Severity Index (ISI)

    The Insomnia Severity Index is a widely used, self-reported questionnaire designed to assess the nature, severity, and impact of insomnia symptoms. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 to 4. The total score ranges from 0 to 28, with higher scores indicating greater insomnia severity. According to the results insomnia will be classified as follows: 0-7: absence of clinical insomnia; 8-14: subclinical insomnia; 15-21: clinical insomnia; 22-28: severe insomnia.

    ISI will be administered to all patients at baseline, and at months 1 and 3.

Secondary Outcomes (18)

  • Sleep Efficiency (polysomnography)

    Polysomnography will be performed at baseline and at month 3.

  • Total Sleep Time (Polysomnography)

    PSG will be performed at baseline and at month 3.

  • Wake After Sleep Onset (polysomnography)

    Polysomnography will be performed at baseline and at month 3.

  • Arousal Index (polysomnography)

    Polysomnography will be performed at baseline and at month 3.

  • Cumulative time spent under 90% oxygen saturation (polysomnography)

    Polysomnography will be performed at baseline and at month 3.

  • +13 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Daridorexant 50mg

EXPERIMENTAL

Oral taking of Daridorexant, 50 mg/day for 3 months

Drug: Daridorexant 50 mg

Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Oral taking of placebo for 3 months

Drug: Placebo

Interventions

oral taking of Daridorexant 50mg/daily at bedtime, within 30 minutes of going to bed and at least 8-9 hours before planned wake time. Treatment duration: 12 weeks (3 months).

Daridorexant 50mg

Orally, once daily at bedtime, within 30 minutes of going to bed and at least 8-9 hours before planned wake time.

Placebo

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 99 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Age Range: 18-99 years old.
  • Patients with a current major depressive episode according to DSM-5, in a stable phase (defined as at least 4 weeks without significant changes in antidepressant treatment and no psychiatric hospitalizations in the previous 8 weeks) and with moderate or greater severity, as indicated by a total score of
  • on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).
  • Insomnia disorder confirmed according to DSM-5
  • Insomnia Severity: Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score = o \>15.
  • Medication Stability defined by :
  • Stable doses of antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or antipsychotics for at least 1 month prior to baseline (T0).
  • Melatonin, Benzodiacepines, sedative antidepressants or sedative antipsychotics use for insomnia should follow a wash out protocol described below.
  • Informed Consent: Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent.
  • Acceptance of Protocol Requirements: Agreement to adhere to all scheduled visits, treatment plans, and study procedures.

You may not qualify if:

  • Other Current Psychiatric Disorders: Any current psychiatric disorder other than major depressive disorder (e.g., active psychotic disorders, mania, hypomania, acute schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder).
  • Uncontrolled Severe Medical Conditions: Any condition that could interfere with study procedures, safety, or outcome measures (e.g., unstable cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, or endocrine disorders).
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Cognitive Impairments: Significant impairments that prevent the comprehension or completion of study questionnaires or procedures.
  • Hypersensitivity: Known allergy or hypersensitivity to daridorexant or any of its excipients.
  • Specific Sleep Disorders: Sleep apnea or hypopnea index ≥ 15 events/hour (based on American Academy of Sleep Medicine criteria) or any event associated with oxygen saturation \< 80% (as measured by polysomnography).
  • Periodic limb movement index ≥ 15 events/hour (as measured by polysomnography). Restless legs syndrome, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, REM behavior disorder, or narcolepsy.
  • Concomitant Use with Moderate and potent CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Prohibited due to potential drug interaction (refer to protocol section 4.5 for specifics).
  • Moderate and severe hepatic Impairment: Any hepatic condition deemed unsafe for daridorexant use.
  • Relapse or Worsening of the Main Diagnosis: Relapse of depression whose severity precludes continued participation according to the investigator's judgment.
  • Substance Use Disorder: History of substance use disorder without sustained remission. Exception: past sedative abuse may be permissible if remission criteria are clearly met, as determined by the investigator.
  • Excessive Caffeine Intake: Daily consumption of \>400 mg of caffeine (e.g., \>4 standard cups of coffee).
  • High-Risk Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol intake above recommended risk thresholds in accordance with the guidelines of the Spanish Ministry of Health: i.e., \>4 standard drinks/day (\>40g/d) for men, \>2 standard drinks/day (\>20g/d) for women.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge

Barcelona, Catalonia, 08908, Spain

Location

Related Publications (22)

  • Xu G, Li X, Xu C, Xie G, Liang J. Effect of insomnia in the major depressive disorder. BMC Neurol. 2022 Sep 10;22(1):341. doi: 10.1186/s12883-022-02869-x.

    PMID: 36088310BACKGROUND
  • Watson NF, Benca RM, Krystal AD, McCall WV, Neubauer DN. Alliance for Sleep Clinical Practice Guideline on Switching or Deprescribing Hypnotic Medications for Insomnia. J Clin Med. 2023 Mar 25;12(7):2493. doi: 10.3390/jcm12072493.

    PMID: 37048577BACKGROUND
  • GBD 2019 Diseases and Injuries Collaborators. Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet. 2020 Oct 17;396(10258):1204-1222. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30925-9.

    PMID: 33069326BACKGROUND
  • Ugurlu M. Orexin Receptor Antagonists as Adjunct Drugs for the Treatment of Depression: A Mini Meta-Analysis. Noro Psikiyatr Ars. 2023 Jun 19;61(1):77-84. doi: 10.29399/npa.28383. eCollection 2024.

    PMID: 38496221BACKGROUND
  • Scott MM, Marcus JN, Pettersen A, Birnbaum SG, Mochizuki T, Scammell TE, Nestler EJ, Elmquist JK, Lutter M. Hcrtr1 and 2 signaling differentially regulates depression-like behaviors. Behav Brain Res. 2011 Sep 23;222(2):289-94. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2011.02.044. Epub 2011 Mar 4.

    PMID: 21377495BACKGROUND
  • Rush AJ, Trivedi MH, Wisniewski SR, Nierenberg AA, Stewart JW, Warden D, Niederehe G, Thase ME, Lavori PW, Lebowitz BD, McGrath PJ, Rosenbaum JF, Sackeim HA, Kupfer DJ, Luther J, Fava M. Acute and longer-term outcomes in depressed outpatients requiring one or several treatment steps: a STAR*D report. Am J Psychiatry. 2006 Nov;163(11):1905-17. doi: 10.1176/ajp.2006.163.11.1905.

    PMID: 17074942BACKGROUND
  • Palagini L, Brugnoli R, Dell' Osso BM, Di Nicola M, Maina G, Martinotti G, Maruani J, Mauries S, Serafini G, Mencacci C, Liguori C, Ferini-Strambi L, Geoffroy PA, Balestrieri M. Clinical practice guidelines for switching or deprescribing hypnotic medications for chronic insomnia: Results of European neuropsychopharmacology and sleep expert's consensus group. Sleep Med. 2025 Apr;128:117-126. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2025.01.033. Epub 2025 Jan 31.

    PMID: 39923608BACKGROUND
  • Palagini L, Miniati M, Marazziti D, Riemann D, Geoffroy PA, Gemignani A. Effects of Approved Pharmacological Interventions for Insomnia on Mood Disorders: A Systematic Review. Clin Neuropsychiatry. 2024 Oct;21(5):385-402. doi: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20240504.

    PMID: 39540072BACKGROUND
  • Palagini L, Alfi G, Gurrieri R, Annuzzi E, Caruso V, Gambini M, Grenno G, Trivella M, Presta S, Miniati M, Pini S, Perugi G, Gemignani A. Early experience with the new DORA daridorexant in patients with insomnia disorder and comorbid mental disturbances: Results of a naturalistic study with 3 months follow-up. J Sleep Res. 2024 Dec;33(6):e14196. doi: 10.1111/jsr.14196. Epub 2024 Mar 24.

    PMID: 38522432BACKGROUND
  • Na HJ, Jeon N, Staatz CE, Han N, Baek IH. Clinical safety and narcolepsy-like symptoms of dual orexin receptor antagonists in patients with insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep. 2024 Feb 8;47(2):zsad293. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsad293.

    PMID: 37950346BACKGROUND
  • Morin CM, Stone J, Trinkle D, Mercer J, Remsberg S. Dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep among older adults with and without insomnia complaints. Psychol Aging. 1993 Sep;8(3):463-7. doi: 10.1037//0882-7974.8.3.463.

    PMID: 8216967BACKGROUND
  • Mignot E, Mayleben D, Fietze I, Leger D, Zammit G, Bassetti CLA, Pain S, Kinter DS, Roth T; investigators. Safety and efficacy of daridorexant in patients with insomnia disorder: results from two multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trials. Lancet Neurol. 2022 Feb;21(2):125-139. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(21)00436-1.

    PMID: 35065036BACKGROUND
  • Meshkat S, Kwan ATH, Le GH, Wong S, Teopiz KM, Wang L, Rosenblat JD, Rhee TG, Cao B, McIntyre RS. Efficacy of orexin antagonists for the management of major depressive disorder: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials. J Affect Disord. 2025 Mar 1;372:409-419. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.12.008. Epub 2024 Dec 4.

    PMID: 39638064BACKGROUND
  • McCall WV, Blocker JN, D'Agostino R Jr, Kimball J, Boggs N, Lasater B, Haskett R, Krystal A, McDonald WM, Rosenquist PB. Treatment of insomnia in depressed insomniacs: effects on health-related quality of life, objective and self-reported sleep, and depression. J Clin Sleep Med. 2010 Aug 15;6(4):322-9.

    PMID: 20726279BACKGROUND
  • Lin HT, Lai CH, Perng HJ, Chung CH, Wang CC, Chen WL, Chien WC. Insomnia as an independent predictor of suicide attempts: a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study. BMC Psychiatry. 2018 May 2;18(1):117. doi: 10.1186/s12888-018-1702-2.

    PMID: 29716570BACKGROUND
  • Hintze JP, Edinger JD. Hypnotic Discontinuation in Chronic Insomnia. Sleep Med Clin. 2020 Jun;15(2):147-154. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2020.02.003.

    PMID: 32386690BACKGROUND
  • Heerlein K, Perugi G, Otte C, Frodl T, Degraeve G, Hagedoorn W, Oliveira-Maia AJ, Perez Sola V, Rathod S, Rosso G, Sierra P, Malynn S, Morrens J, Verrijcken C, Gonzalez B, Young AH. Real-world evidence from a European cohort study of patients with treatment resistant depression: Treatment patterns and clinical outcomes. J Affect Disord. 2021 Jul 1;290:334-344. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.03.073. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

    PMID: 34044256BACKGROUND
  • Guerrera CS, Boccaccio FM, Varrasi S, Platania GA, Coco M, Pirrone C, Castellano S, Caraci F, Ferri R, Lanza G. A narrative review on insomnia and hypersomnolence within Major Depressive Disorder and bipolar disorder: A proposal for a novel psychometric protocol. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2024 Mar;158:105575. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105575. Epub 2024 Feb 6.

    PMID: 38331126BACKGROUND
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    PMID: 33950419BACKGROUND
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    PMID: 29662948BACKGROUND
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    PMID: 36436175BACKGROUND
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    PMID: 22813972BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sleep Initiation and Maintenance DisordersDepressive Disorder, Major

Interventions

daridorexant

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sleep Disorders, IntrinsicDyssomniasSleep Wake DisordersNervous System DiseasesMental DisordersDepressive DisorderMood Disorders

Central Study Contacts

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 4
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
TRIPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

April 9, 2026

First Posted

April 29, 2026

Study Start

April 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

April 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

October 1, 2028

Last Updated

April 29, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Personal data will not be transferred in this trial and will be anonymized.

Locations