Cognitive Training as an Adjunct to Ketamine in Real-world Clinics

ConditionDepression
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-80
SponsorUniversity of Pittsburgh

About this trial

In a sample of patients already receiving ketamine (or esketamine) treatment as part of their clinical care, this project seeks to test whether we can enhance and/or extend (es)ketamine's rapid effects by introducing helpful information delivered by a computer-based cognitive training protocol. This work could ultimately lead to the ability to treat depression more efficiently and with broader dissemination by rapidly priming the brain for helpful forms of learning.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

be between the ages of 18 and 80 years

score ≥20 on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)

per SCID-5-RV interview, meet DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for at least one of the following: Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder (I or II), Persistent Depressive Disorder, or Other Specified Depressive or Bipolar Disorder

exhibit treatment resistance, defined as: (a) failure to respond to ≥1 adequate trials of an evidence-based treatment for mood disorder [per the Antidepressant Treatment History Form-Short Form Modified Score Sheet (ATHF-SF-Modified)] and/or (b) failure to respond to ≥1 adequate mood stabilizer or other evidence-based treatment trials (for bipolar depression patients) and/or (c) a history of intolerance during attempted trials of evidence-based treatments for mood disorders and/or (d) failure to respond to ≥1 prior treatment trials (e.g., medication, psychotherapy) for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Disqualifiers

Presence of current/acute psychosis, mania, or dementia, or a diagnosis of developmental disorder with significant language and/or intellectual impairment (e.g., autism spectrum disorder)

Current/acute suicide risk with intent to act, defined as CSSRS past-week ideation score ≥ 4 among outpatients; patients engaged in residential or inpatient care at the time of enrollment need not meet this CSSRS score criterion, as their current/acute suicide risk is extremely low by virtue of the residential/inpatient, round-the-clock care they are already receiving at time of enrollment

Concern for dementia or significant cognitive decline, per interviewer observations and impressions during screening assessments

Current pregnancy

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Cognitive Training
  • Sham Training

Treatment groups

600 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups

Sponsors and collaborators

University of Pittsburgh

Lead sponsor

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator