Social Reward and Its Effect on Brain Functions in Psychotherapies for Mid- and Late-Life Depression

Part of paid clinical trials in New York, New York.

Sponsor
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Study ID
NCT04487730
Status
Completed

Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
50 Years - 85 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • "Engage & Connect" Psychotherapy — BEHAVIORAL
    9-weeks of weekly psychotherapy sessions focused on social reward exposure
  • Symptom Review and Psychoeducation (SRP) — BEHAVIORAL
    9-weeks of weekly psychotherapy sessions focused on symptom review and psychoeducation about depression and aging

Study Details

Abnormalities in the Positive Valence System (PVS) are associated with depressive symptoms and reduced behavioral activation in mid- and late-life. This study will investigate the engagement of the PVS during exposure to social rewards, part of a novel streamlined psychotherapy for mid- and late-life depression. Use of computational modeling will enable identification of neuroimaging and behavioral profiles associated with greater treatment response, and may guide future personalization of psychotherapy.

Key Dates

Start date
Oct 15, 2020
Status verified
May 2025
Primary completion
Aug 13, 2024
Completion
Aug 19, 2024

Study Design

Enrollment
64 participants (actual)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: "Engage & Connect" Psychotherapy
    "Engage \& Connect", a modified adapted version of "Engage". Its principal intervention is "social reward exposure" - facilitating engagement in rewarding and meaningful social activities with significant others. In "Engage-S" therapy, individuals with depression work with a therapist to develop "action plans" to pursue rewarding social activities of their choice.
  • Active Comparator: Symptom Review and Psychoeducation (SRP)
    In this intervention, the therapist will review the participant's symptoms and provide literature-based clinical explanations and clarifications about the symptoms, the course, and the causes of depression. In SRP, the therapist reviews the depressed individual's symptoms, and level of information on depression, identifies misconceptions, and guides selection of educational material which could benefit the patient.

Primary Outcome Measure

Change in Resting State fMRI Connectivity of the Positive Valence System [ Time Frame: Baseline, Mid-treatment (Week 5) and Post Treatment (Week 9) ]

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Weill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNew York10065-

Find similar trials in New York, NY

By condition
Depression
By specialty
PsychiatryMental healthBehavioral health
By research site
Weill Cornell Medicine· New York, NY

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