The purpose of this study is to see if one or two doses of psilocybin is more effective in relieving depressive symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Researchers also want to know if a second dose of psilocybin is safe and well-tolerated. This study will see if psilocybin is effective, safe, and well-tolerated by tracking changes in depressive symptoms, suicidality, and side effects. This study will also see if a second dose of psilocybin has an effect on quality of life, functioning, cognition (thinking, reasoning, remembering), and how long depressive symptoms improve (or worsen) after psilocybin is administered.
During the past decade, there has been increased interest in the use of psilocybin as a novel treatment for mental health disorders, including treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Recent studies have suggested that psilocybin has the potential to relieve depressive symptoms when combined with psychotherapy (i.e., psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy \[PAP\]). Each psilocybin dosing session requires the use of extensive resources, including two specialized therapists supporting the patient for 6-8 hours per dosing session. If two doses of psilocybin prove to be more effective than a single dose of psilocybin in relieving depressive symptoms, then two doses should be the standard intervention for future trials and clinical application. However, if a second dose of psilocybin does not offer increased anti-depressant benefit from the first dose, then a second dose of psilocybin would only increase the risk of adverse side effects and cost of treatment. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine whether a second dose of psilocybin provides better efficacy, safety and tolerability than a single dose. The investigators hypothesize that two doses of psilocybin will be more beneficial compared to a single dose, and that there will be no significant difference between the groups (one dose versus two doses) in safety or tolerability. The primary objective of assessing antidepressant efficacy will be evaluated by the change in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) between baseline and Week 8. Safety and tolerability will be assessed using standardized adverse effects monitoring, in addition to close participant monitoring during the dosing day (e.g., blood pressure changes, dissociative and psychotomimetic effects, treatment-emergent manic symptoms, and suicidality). Secondary objectives include evaluating the effects of one versus two psilocybin doses on suicidality, quality of life, functioning, cognition, and duration of clinical benefits during the six month observational follow-up period. Exploratory objectives include evaluating predictors of response, such as static and dynamic clinical factors and expectancy effects, and cost-effectiveness of one versus two psilocybin doses.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
92
One psychedelic dose (1mg of psilocybin + 25mg of psilocybin) taken in conjunction with psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy
Two psychedelic doses (25 mg of psilocybin + 25mg of psilocybin) taken in conjunction with psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy
Toronto Western Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
RECRUITINGAntidepressant Efficacy
Antidepressant efficacy will be evaluated using change in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score, a clinician-administered depression severity rating scale where higher scores indicate greater severity of depression symptoms. The MADRS has been validated extensively in major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD) patient population samples, and specifically in psilocybin trials.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 8 (Primary Endpoint)
Self-Reported Depression Symptoms
Self-assessment of depression symptoms using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item where higher scores indicate greater severity.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 month follow-up
Anxiety Symptoms
Self-assessment of anxiety symptoms using the 16-Item Quick Inventory for Depression Symptomatology where higher scores indicate greater severity.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 month follow-up
Self-Reported Quality of Life
Self-assessment of quality of life measured by the World Health Organization-5, Well-Being Index where higher scores indicate a better quality of life score.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 month follow-up
Subjective Functioning
Self-assessment of subjective function as measured by the Sheehan Disability Scale where higher scores indicate greater severity of disability symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 month follow-up
Incidence of Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (Safety and Tolerability)
The incidence of adverse events will be measured throughout the trial. During dosing sessions, post-dose blood pressure changes will be recorded, as well as dissociative and psychotomimetic effects using the Clinician Administered Dissociative Symptom Scale (CADSS), the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-Positive Symptom Subscale (BPRS-PS), the Five-Dimensional Altered States of Consciousness (5D-ASC), the Ego-Dissolution Inventory (EDI) and the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ). Higher scores on these aforementioned scales indicate greater dissociation/altered perception as a measure of adverse psychological symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 month follow-up
Cognitive Dysfunction
The Perceived Deficits Questionnaire-5 Item is a brief patient-rated scale that assesses cognitive dysfunction in people with depression. It is a 5-item questionnaire that is a subset of the larger 20-item questionnaires. Participants rank each item on frequency in the last week using a scale ranging from "never" to "always".
Time frame: Baseline to 6 month follow-up
Psychomotor Performance
The Digit Symbol Substitution Test is a pencil and paper test of psychomotor performance. Participants will be key grid of numbers and matching symbols and are asked to fill as many empty boxes as possible with the symbol matching each number. The score is the number of correct number-symbol matches achieved in 90 seconds.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 month follow-up
Phonemic Word Fluency
The FAS Verbal Fluency Test is a measure of phonemic word fluency. The number of words recited that begin with the letters 'F', 'A', and 'S' within a one-minute time frame serves as a measure of word fluency.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 month follow-up
Psychomotor Speed, Visual search, and Attention
The Trail Making Tests A and B require participants to connect numbered circles with a pencil as quickly as possible in a numerical or alternating alphanumeric sequence respectively. Shorter time to complete these tests and fewer errors denotes higher performance.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 month follow-up
Verbal Learning and Memory
The California Verbal Learning test is a comprehensive, detailed assessment of verbal learning and memory deficits. The Standard and Alternate Forms include tests of immediate and delayed recall, and recognition. The number of words recalled or recognized accurately in each test denotes better performance and is compared using a standardized score across participants.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 month follow-up
Working Memory, Attention and Executive Function
The Symbol Check game from THINC-it is inspired by the one-back task and the Spotter game from THINC-it is inspired by the Choice Reaction Time task. These measures are performed consecutively and are scored based on speed and accuracy.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 month follow-up
Effort-Based Decision Making
The Effort Expenditure for Reward Task is a behavioral paradigm that measures effort-based decision-making. Participants are presented with a series of repeated trials in which they are able to choose between performing a "hard-task" or an "easy-task" in order to earn varying amounts of monetary reward. The test is scored based on what task the participant selects and performance on each task.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 month follow-up
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