Epigenetic Enhancement of Cognitive Training in Aging Mood Disorder Populations
Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group
Conditions studied: Bipolar Disorder (BD), Depression - Major Depressive Disorder, Cognitive Impairment
In brief
The aim of this clinical trial is to investigate the effects of a three-week virtual reality-based cognitive remediation training (VR-CRT) programme in combination with daily intake of a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) sodium butyrate on cognition in symptomatically stable patients with mood disorders (depression or bipolar disorder). The investigators hypothesize that the VR-based cognitive remediation training (VR-CRT) combined with HDACi butyrate vs. a VR-based control treatment combined with placebo will improve global cognition (primary outcome measure) over three weeks. Secondly, the investigators hypothesize that VR-CRT with placebo will improve cognition relative to the VR control treatment with placebo, although to a lesser extent than VR-CRT with HDACi butyrate. Thirdly, the investigators hypothesize that the HDACi butyrate with VR control treatment will not produce cognitive improvements relative to placebo with VR control treatment. Finally, the investigators hypothesize that the combined treatment (VR-CRT + HDACi butyrate) will enhance neuroplasticity (exploratory outcome) vs. VR control with placebo, as indicated by increase in hippocampal volume and/or memory-related activity shown with structural and functional MRI.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT07404085
- Run by
- Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital
- People needed
- 160
- Starts
- 2025-11-14
- Expected to finish
- 2028-07-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-02-11
Who can join
Age: 40 and older, up to 75. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Confirmed ICD-10 diagnosis of BD or recurrent UD in partial, or full remission (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 items and Young Mania Rating Scale scores ≤14)
- Subjective cognitive complaints (self-reported: COBRA ≥12) or objectively-verified cognitive impairment (measured using Screening for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry SCIP: total score or at least two subscores ≥ 0.5 SD below expected norms)
- Fluency in Danish language
You may not qualify if…
- Diagnosis of schizophrenia
- Neurological disorders (including dementia)
- Dyslexia
- Severe Physical illness
- Kidney disease
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Alcohol or substance abuse
- Previous severe head trauma
- History of epilepsy
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- BMI >30
- Bodyweight < 45kg
- Daily use of benzodiazepines > 22.5 mg. oxazepam or > 7.5 mg. diazepam per day
- Serum lithium levels > 0.8 mmol/L
- Received electroconvulsive therapy < 2 months prior to participation
- Hypertension (>140 systolic or > 90 diastolic mm Hg)
Where it is running
- Neurocognition and Emotion Across Disorders (NEAD Brain Centre, Copenhagen Affective Disorder Research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Frederiksberg Hospital — Frederiksberg, Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark (enrolling)
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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