Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of Inhibitory Control in Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder
Starting soon · Not applicable
Conditions studied: Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder
In brief
Bipolar disorder and unipolar depressive disorder are two chronic mood disorders associated with a significant social impact, even during euthymic phases. Their differential diagnosis remains complex, particularly when bipolar disorder begins with a depressive episode. Identifying distinctive markers between these pathologies therefore represents a major clinical and economic challenge, as appropriate mood-stabilizing treatment can reduce healthcare costs and improve patients' functional outcomes. Among potential biomarkers, executive functions-and more specifically inhibition-have received particular attention. Inhibitory deficits are observed in both disorders, including during euthymic states, and also among first-degree relatives, suggesting their potential as cognitive and cerebral endophenotypes. These deficits may help explain the difficulties in emotion regulation and impulsivity frequently observed in mood disorders. Two components of inhibition are distinguished: 1. Behavioral inhibition, which refers to the ability to stop an ongoing response. 2. Interference control, which refers to the ability to resist distraction. These processes rely on partially distinct neural networks and operate at different stages of information processing. The few studies comparing these two components in bipolar disorder have shown contradictory results, and neuroimaging investigations have only partially explored these mechanisms, particularly their emotional dimension. It is, however, well established that patients with bipolar or depressive disorders show greater difficulties in executive tasks involving emotional stimuli than in purely cognitive tasks. The study is expected to reveal: * Differences in brain activation between euthymic bipolar and unipolar depressive patients in regions involved in inhibitory control, modulated by the emotional content of the task. * Distinct cognitive performance profiles according to pathology, reflecting specific alterations in inhibitory and interference processes. These findings should provide a better understanding of the differential neurocognitive bases of mood disorders. Identifying specific cognitive and neural profiles could contribute to more accurate differential diagnosis and to the personalization of therapeutic interventions, particularly through cognitive remediation strategies targeting executive and emotional deficits.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT07503275
- Run by
- CHU de Reims
- People needed
- 120
- Starts
- 2026-06-01
- Expected to finish
- 2029-12-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-03-31
Who can join
Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Patients between 18 and 65 years old, men or women, right-handed
- Having a diagnosis of bipolar disorder or depressive disorder
- No substantial change in treatment for 2 weeks preceding study enrollment
- Being a native French speaker
- Patients enrolled in the national healthcare insurance program
- Consenting to participate to the study
You may not qualify if…
- The presence of any alcohol use disorder or any other substance use disorder in the last six months, except for tobacco dependence
- A significant general medical illness, including neurological disorders or head trauma
- Contraindication to the use of MRI
- A sensorial impairment uncorrected (visual and/or hearing)
- Group 3 and 4: Healthy control participants
- Inclusion criteria:
- Participants between 18 and 65 years old, men or women, right-handed
- Being a native French speaker
- Patients enrolled in the national healthcare insurance program
- Consenting to participate to the study
- Exclusion criteria:
- A diagnosis of schizophrenia or of bipolar disorder or of major depressive disorder according to DSM-5 criteria
- The presence of any alcohol use disorder or any other substance use disorder in the last six months, except for tobacco dependence
- Participants having one first-degree relative presenting an bipolar disorder or depressive disorder or schizophrenia according to DSM-5 criteria
- A significant general medical illness, including neurological disorders or head trauma
- Contraindication to the use of MRI
- A sensorial impairment uncorrected (visual and/or hearing)
Where it is running
- Chu Reims — Reims, France
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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