Positive Valence System Function and Reward Exposure Therapy for Late-Life Depression

Clinical Trial Details

The goal of this study is to learn about changes in the brain that occur during Engage, a psychotherapy for depression in older adults, and how they may differ from changes that occur during supportive therapy. Older adults with depression will receive 9 weeks of either Engage or supportive therapy and will complete research assessments before the therapy begins and at weeks 3, 6, and 9 of treatment. Research assessments will include questionnaires, computer tasks, and recordings of electrical brain activity (also called electroencephalography or EEG).

Key Eligibility:

Inclusion Criteria

At least 60 years old
Major depressive disorder without psychotic features
Not on antidepressants or on a stable does for the past 12 weeks
Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale score ≥ 20
Mini-Mental State Examination score ≥ 24
Off antidepressants or on a stable dose for 12 weeks without intent to change dose
Capacity to consent

Exclusion Criteria

Intent or plan to attempt suicide
Current psychiatric diagnosis other than Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or specific phobia
History of past psychiatric diagnoses other than MDD, PDD, or anxiety disorders (separation, specific phobia, social phobia, panic, agoraphobia, GAD)
Use of psychotropic drugs or cholinesterase inhibitors (other than a stable dose of an antidepressant or benzodiazepines ≤ 0.5mg, ≤ 5x/week)
Serious medical conditions such as neurological disorders, severe COPD, metastatic cancer, cardiac/renal/respiratory failure, other condition that influences neural systems