Characterization and Treatment of Adolescent Depression
Eligible age
11–25 yrs
Accepts
All genders
Locations
3 states
Healthy volunteers
Yes
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About this study
This research study seeks to find causes and treatments of depression in teenagers. The study goals are to increase our knowledge of treatments for depression and understand how the brain changes when teenagers have depression. The study will also compare teenagers with depression to those without mental health diagnoses. This outpatient study is recruiting participants ages 11-17 who are depressed. They must have a pediatrician or other medical provider, be medically healthy, and able to perform research tasks. They may not currently be hospitalized, psychotic or actively suicidal. Teenagers with depression are eligible even if they are taking medication. The study begins with an evaluation that includes clinical assessment, interviews, and questionnaires. * Visits may include paper-and-pencil and computer tests of mood, memory, and thinking; specialized computer games; and structural and brain imaging. If eligible, study participants may return several times a year for up to two years. This part of the study does not involve treatment. * Participants may be eligible for outpatient treatment for up to 25 weeks. This includes evidenced-based "talk" therapy. Participants may choose either Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents (IPT-A) or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). If indicated, participants may opt to receive standard medication treatments along with psychotherapy. Research includes computer tasks and brain imaging. All clinical evaluations, research tasks and visits are free of cost. Participants are compensated for research activities. Parents and teenager must agree to the teenager s participation in research. The study is conducted at the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland and enrolls participants from the Washington DC Metro region within 50 miles of NIH. Transportation expenses are reimbursed by NIMH.
Sponsor: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
You may qualify if…
- ✓ Ages 11-17 at the time of enrollment in Characterization;
- ✓ Current diagnosis of DSM-5 Major Depressive Disorder (within the last six months from assessment) which are:
- ✓ Five or more of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.
- ✓ Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feeling sad, blue, "down in the dumps,"or empty) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful or about to cry). (In children and adolescents, this may present as an irritable or cranky, rather than sad, mood.)
- ✓ Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities every day, such as no interest in hobbies, sports, or other things the person used to enjoy doing.
- ✓ Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5 percent of body weight in a month) or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
- ✓ Insomnia (inability to get to sleep or difficulty staying asleep) or hypersomnia (sleeping too much) nearly every day
- ✓ Psychomotor agitation (e.g., restlessness, inability to sit still, pacing, pulling at clothes or clothes) or retardation (e.g., slowed speech, movements, quiet talking) nearly every day
You may not qualify if…
- ✕ Exclusion Criteria for MDD patients (Group 1)
- ✕ Meets criteria for schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective illness, bipolar disorder, more than mild Autism Spectrum Disorder, current Anorexia Nervosa or other severe Eating Disorder.
- ✕ Intellectual disability (clinically identified or IQ \< 70)
- ✕ For subjects with major depression or sub-threshold major depressive episode: Symptoms of depression are due to the direct physiological effects of a drug of abuse, or to a general medical or neurological condition by self and parent report.
- ✕ Meets DSM-5 criteria for alcohol or substance use disorder (excluding tobacco and nicotine use) within the last three months. This is determined solely by clinical interview of child and parent (e.g., KSADS).
- ✕ Current active suicidal ideation (i.e., presence of intent for engaging in suicidal behaviors).
- ✕ Youths with passive suicidal ideation and/or past active suicidal ideation are still eligible.
- ✕ Participants with repeated self-harm occurring in the context of inter-personal conflict.
Where it's recruiting
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT03388606 · last updated 2026-08-24