Stratified Pharmacological Approaches for Regulating Circuit-Level Effects

Recruiting now · Phase 2

Conditions studied: Depression - Major Depressive Disorder

In brief

This research study aims to understand how people with depression respond to the medication pramipexole and to determine whether clinical response differs depending on the function of specific circuits in the brain. The investigators hope to learn which circuits are involved in depression and how these circuits interact with pramipexole to affect mood, behavior, and cognition. Eligible participants will undergo an 8-week treatment course of pramipexole followed by a 2-week down taper and follow up. The ultimate goal is to offer people experiencing depression a medication that is alternative to ones that may not have worked in the past and to apply the knowledge the investigators gain from investigating the brain circuits involved in depression to help personalize treatment. The investigators invite anyone who has recently experienced symptoms of depression to participate. A prior diagnosis of depression is not required.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07022405

Run by

Stanford University

People needed

60

Starts

2026-01-23

Expected to finish

2030-08-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-15

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• 18-65 years old (inclusive)
• Fluent and literate in English, with non-impaired intellectual abilities to ensure adequate comprehension of the task instructions.
• Willing to provide written, informed consent.
• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning eligibility. All participants will need to successfully complete the screening forms at the Stanford Center for Cognitive and Neurobiological Imaging (CNI).
• Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) >/= 10
• Meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for current or recurrent nonpsychotic Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) established by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)

You may not qualify if…

• Suicidality with active plan or as determined clinician judgment
• Current or lifetime history of medical illness or brain injury that may interfere with assessments as determined by clinician judgment
• Severe impediment to vision, hearing, and/or hand movement likely to interfere with ability to complete the assessments, or is unable and/or unlikely to follow the study protocols as determined by clinician judgment
• Pregnant, breastfeeding or unwilling or unable to use adequate birth control throughout the study
• History of non-responsive depression to dopamine agonists
• Any contraindication to being scanned in the 3.0T fMRI scanner, such as a cardiac pacemaker or implanted device that has not been cleared for scanning
• Previous or current DSM-5 bipolar disorder (I, II, not otherwise specified), schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders, or psychosis or as determined by clinician judgment
• Previous or current diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Meeting DSM-5 criteria for current Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) or eating disorder
• Meeting DSM-5 criteria for alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder within the last 12 months
• Clinically significant presence/history of impulsive-compulsive behaviors or control disorder including but not limited to gambling disorder within the last 12 months.
• Current use or use of psychotropic medication within the past month. (If the participant's usual treating clinician agrees with discontinuing the medication, participants may enroll after tapering off the medication under the supervision of either their usual clinician or the study clinician. A washout period of 5 half-lives-or a different duration as determined by the study clinician-must be completed before the first scan.)
• Concurrent participation in other intervention or treatment studies

Where it is running

• Stanford University — Palo Alto, California, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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