Organization: 
Baycrest Hospital (Rotman Research Institute)
Details
Opportunity Deadline: 
Sunday, January 31, 2027
Participant Profile: 
People 40-75 years of age who have been experiencing major depressive episode, at least 3 months in length. See more details in description.
Opportunity Type: 
Clinical Trial
Interview
Other (see description)
What's Involved: 
Diagnostic clinical measures, neuromimaging, blood sample analysis. See details in description.
Compensation
Compensation Available: 
Yes
Compensation: 
Participants will be compensated for their time and transit/parking expenses.
More info
Document: 
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Link: 
Study details

This study seeks to investigate the neural signatures of major depressive disorder (MDD) and response to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in mid to late-life (ages 40-75 years) using diagnostic clinical measures and neuroimaging. This study will also seek to understand the link between inflammation, MDD and responsiveness to CBT, through blood sample analysis. 

The imaging and blood sample collection (1 sample) will take place at Baycrest Hospital at 3560 Bathurst Street in North York. The CBT treatment will take place remotely.

# Purpose and goal

This study is part of a cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) research program that seeks to characterize the impact of CBT on the brain in treating major depressive disorder (MDD) in mid-to-late life, because untreated MDD is a key risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease. 

While the improved study of depression in aging is likely to inform approaches to protect against dementia, most of the current work examines the affective (and not cognitive or neurobiological) impact of depression in older adults. Moreover, caregivers of older adults with dementia are at increased risk of depression that may in turn lead to i) an increased risk of dementia for caregivers themselves and ii) poorer outcomes for patients receiving care. 

The gold-standard treatment for depression is cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), shown to reduce mood symptoms and improve cognitive functioning while preventing depression relapse. This work uses blood tests and neuroimaging in dementia caregivers to clarify the neurological changes associated with CBT, and which individuals would respond best to CBT. 

The goal of this work is to help define markers for helping to monitor CBT success as well as a set of traits that determine who will benefit the most from CBT. The findings can also help improve outcomes for dementia patients, whose caregivers are at high risk of depression and dementia themselves.

# What to expect

If you participate in this study:

  • You'll receive a free, 12-week cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) treatment.
  • You'll undergo some testing to measure the effects of CBT treatment on your brain health.
    • Neuroimaging (magnetic resonance imaging (MRI))
    • Clinical psychological assessments
    • Biosampling (blood sampling) 

The CBT sessions will take place online. The neuroimaging (1 hour), clinical assessment (2 hours) and blood sampling (0.5 hour) will take place at Baycrest Hospital in North York a total of two times, once before and once after the CBT. 

# Who should sign up?

Participants must:

  • Be 40-75 years of age, inclusive.
  • Meet diagnosis of a major depressive episode determined through a structured clinical interview conducted by the study clinical psychologist.
  • Be currently experiencing a major depressive episode of at least 3 months in length.
  • Have the ability to understand and comply with the requirements of the study, as judged by the investigator(s).

# More information 

  • Study Investigators: Jing Jean Chen PhD, MRI Scientist, and Nasreen Khatri PhD, CPsych, Clinician Associate
  • Organization: Baycrest Hospital (Rotman Research Institute), 3560 Bathurst St, North York, ON M6A 1W1.

To learn more, please see the study flyer here or email the investigators at cbtTrial@research.baycrest.org.