The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and feasibility of sequencing psilocybin therapy with a short-duration, aiTBS protocol (Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy, or SAINT) in individuals with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder.
This will be a phase II 2x2 design (device and dose) clinical trial. 100 participants, ages 22-76, with treatment-resistant MDD will be randomized to treatment with either: a) 25mg of COMP360 (N=50); or b) 1mg of COMP360 (low-dose comparator; N=50) with appropriate psychological preparation, support, and integration sessions with trained therapists. This will then be directly followed by one of two subsequent treatment conditions: i) the active accelerated intermittent theta burst (aiTBS) rTMS treatment known as Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT) and/or Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy (SAINT) targeted to a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) functional connectivity-guided personalized left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex target using neuronavigation and delivered over 10 sessions daily for 5 consecutive days at 90% of coil-to-target depth-corrected resting motor threshold50,51; or ii) sham iTBS delivered in the same fashion. Individuals will undergo screening, a baseline clinical assessment and neurobiological assessment of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings. Individuals will then return on a subsequent day to begin the course of psilocybin therapy. Preparation sessions will occur on the first two out of five days (\~1.5-2 hrs each day), psilocybin dosing will occur on the third day (\~6-8 hours), integration session (\~1 hour) and post-dosing assessments will occur on the fourth day, and a final integration session (\~1 hour) and post-psilocybin clinical and neurobiological assessments will occur on the last of the five days. The following week, the individual will return to the lab to begin the course of active or sham SNT, for 10 hrs. a day (10 min once per 60 min, 50-minute inter-session interval, repeated 10 times daily) for 5 days. This is the protocol now FDA-cleared for treatment of treatment-resistant MDD, known as Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy and commercialized by Magnus Medical (see support letter from Magus Medical). In the third week, the individual will return to complete post-SNT clinical assessments and to complete a post-SNT neurobiological (fMRI and EEG) assessment. Individuals will complete long-term follow-up clinical assessments at 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months post-initiation of first treatment (psilocybin administration) to assess durability of clinical response and identify potential points of depression relapse over a sustained period of time. Aims: To determine the safety and feasibility of sequencing psilocybin therapy with a short-duration, aiTBS protocol (Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy, or SAINT) in individuals with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. To determine if the combination of psilocybin therapy followed by SAINT demonstrates superior efficacy relative to either treatment alone acutely (primary acute endpoint will be \~14 days after the initiation of the treatment sequence) and over time (additional endpoints at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 5 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months following cessation of the treatment protocol). To determine the neurobiological changes following the combination treatment (assessment points at baseline, 2 days post-psilocybin, and \~14 days post-psilocybin/2-4 days post cessation of accelerated theta burst), and if the magnitude or nature of such changes are different from those demonstrated in either treatment alone. Investigate how psychedelic treatment may impact blood biomarkers of inflammation (e.g., inflammatory cytokines) and how select functional genetic polymorphisms may moderate the effect of the psychedelic treatment on subsequent functional brain changes.
A psychedelic drug found in certain mushrooms. It will be in a capsule of 25mg psilocybin (COMP360).
A form of non-invasive brain stimulation that delivers a series of quick magnetic pulses to the scalp and a portion of the brain. It will be targeted to a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) functional connectivity-guided personalized left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex target using neuronavigation and delivered over 10 sessions daily for 5 consecutive days at 90% of coil-to-target depth-corrected resting motor threshold.
A psychedelic drug found in certain mushrooms. It will be in a low-dose form of the experimental dose as a 1mg capsule of psilocybin (COMP360).
Health Discovery Building (HDB), 1601 Trinity St., Bldg B., Z0600
Austin, Texas, United States
RECRUITINGMontgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
A ten-item diagnostic questionnaire used to measure the severity of depressive episodes in patients with mood disorders. Scoring ranging from 0 to 60, with higher scores indicating greater depressive symptomology.
Time frame: 12 months
fMRI task-evoked brain activation
A method used in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to observe different areas of the brain or other organs, which are found to be active at any given time.
Time frame: At both 1 week and 2 weeks
fMRI resting state
A method aimed at examining intrinsic networks in the brain while no task is performed (rest) in order to estimate correlations between brain regions.
Time frame: At both 1 week and 2 weeks
EEG functional connectivity change
A method aimed at examining intrinsic networks in the brain to estimate correlations between brain regions.
Time frame: At both 1 week and 2 weeks
Snaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS)
A self-report measure of anhedonia. Scoring range from 0 to 14, with lower scores indicating less anhedonia.
Time frame: 12 months
Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptom Self-Report (QIDS-SR)
A self report measure of depressive symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 48, with lower scores indicating less symptoms of depression.
Time frame: 12 months
World Health Organization Quality of Life Inventory-Brief subscale (WHO-QL-Brief)
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Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
100
The sham version is meant to look and feel like the active SAINT rTMS, but the main difference is that the brain is not being stimulated like the active condition.
A self-report measure of quality of life with four subscales: Physical Health, Psychological Health, Social Relationships, and Environment. Scores for each range from 4-20, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.
Time frame: 12 months
Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI II)
A self-report measure of positive and negative affect. There are scores for Positive Affect and Negative Affect, each of which is scored from 10-50. Higher scores indicate more of that particular type of affect.
Time frame: 12 months
Anxiety Sensitivity Index 3 (ASI-3)
A self-report measure of anxiety sensitivity. Scores range from 0 to 72, with lower scores indicating less anxiety sensitivity.
Time frame: 12 months
Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
A self report measure of anxiety symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 63, with lower scores indicating less anxiety.
Time frame: 12 months
Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire 30 item Anhedonic Depression subscale (MASQ-30)
A subscale measure of anhedonic depressive symptoms. Scores range from 10-50, with lower scores indicating less anhedonic depression.
Time frame: 12 months
Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire 30 item Anxious Arousal subscale (MASQ-30)
A subscale measure of anxious arousal symptoms. Scores range from 10-50, with lower scores indicating less anxious arousal.
Time frame: 12 months
Physicians Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9)
A self-report screener of major depression. Scores range from 0 to 27, with lower scores indicating fewer symptoms of depression.
Time frame: 12 months
Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7)
A self-report screener of generalized anxiety disorder. Scores range from 0 to 21, with lower scores indicating less symptoms of generalized anxiety.
Time frame: 12 months
Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
Clinician-administered measure of suicidal ideation. Scores range from 0 to 25, with higher scores indicating more severe suicidal ideation.
Time frame: 12 months
Anger Attacks Questionnaire (AAQ)
Self-report measure of anger outbursts. Scores range from 5-25, with higher scores indicating more severe expressions of anger.
Time frame: 12 months
Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS)
A tool clinicians or researchers use to measure psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and psychoses. Scores range from 18 to 126, with lower scores indicating less severe psychiatric symptoms a score of 18 meaning no symptoms present.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS)
Self-report screener that measures impairment in functioning and generates 4 scores: a work disability score, a social life disability score, a family life disability score and a total score. To get a total score add up the 3 individual scores (work: social life: family life). The maximum possible score is 30, meaning more severe impairment from experienced disability.
Time frame: 12 months
Positive and Negative Affect Scale Short Form (PANAS-SF)
Self-Report scale that consists of different words that describe feelings and emotions to measure positive and negative affect. Scores are divided into two categories: 1) can range from 10-50 with higher scores representing higher levels of positive affect and 2) can range from 10-50 with lower scores representing lower levels of negative affect.
Time frame: 12 months
Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II (AAQ II)
Self-report measure that tracks how individuals are applying flexibility skills to their daily lives. 7 item scale with scores ranging from 7-49,with higher scores indicating higher psychological inflexibility, experiential avoidance, and more potential for psychological stress.
Time frame: 12 months
NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI)
Self-report measure that assesses subjects for five domains of normal personality: neuroticism, extraversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness. Each domain is a 12-item scale with scores ranging from 12-60 where the combined scores create a personality profile.
Time frame: 12 months
Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ)
A 10-item scale designed to measure respondents' tendency to regulate their emotions in two ways: (1) Cognitive Reappraisal and (2) Expressive Suppression. Assesses cognitive reappraisal (6 items) and expressive suppression (4 items) on a 7-point Likert-type response scale, with higher scores on each scale indicate greater use of the corresponding emotional regulation strategy. Min 10 - max 70.
Time frame: 12 months
UCLA Loneliness Scale 3 (UCLA-LS-3)
Clinician administered scale that comprises 3 questions that measure three dimensions of loneliness: relational connectedness, social connectedness, and self-perceived isolation. Each item is rated on a 3-point scale for a range of 3-9, with higher scores meaning more intense feelings of the 3 dimensions of loneliness.
Time frame: 12 months
Freiberg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI)
Self-report questionnaire for measuring mindfulness. A 14-item scale with scores 14-56 with higher scores meaning a higher degree of mindfulness.
Time frame: 12 months
Discontinuation Emergent Signs and Symptoms Scale
Self-report measure of 43-items that assess changes in symptomology when starting a new treatment. This measures does not correlate scores to an outcome but is used to assess the development of a new symptom or the worsening of an already existing one.
Time frame: 1 week