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MRI Techniques for Mood and Anxiety Disorders

This observational study is developing new ways to use Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to understand mood and anxiety disorders. Researchers believe these conditions might cause changes in the brain's structure and how it functions. The study uses a 7T MRI scanner (a special type of brain imaging device) to improve how these scans are collected. It aims to look at brain structure and how the brain behaves during specific tasks. Healthy volunteers and individuals with major depressive disorder between 18 and 65 years old may be able to join. The study will measure blood flow, chemical concentrations, or magnetic properties in the brain.

Study design
This is an observational study with a planned enrollment of 390 participants. It is not specified if it's randomized or blinded.
What's involved
You would participate in an MRI study on one of several scanners and undergo neuropsychological testing. The specific duration of these activities is not detailed.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Not specified.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT00397111

Development of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Techniques for Studying Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 18–65Observational
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
~390 participants
Updated 2026-07-16 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:7T Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
BOLD time series
Measured over Varies based on experiment
+7 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Mood Disorders
Anxiety Disorders

Explore related trials

Healthy VolunteerUnipolar Depression

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Maryland1

Study leadership

  • Allison C Nugent, Ph.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Who to contact

Allison C Nugent, Ph.D.
[email protected]
(301) 451-8863
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Male and female subjects between 18 and 65 years of age
Subjects must be able to give written informed consent prior to participation in this study.
Subjects who do not currently meet and have never met criteria for any major psychiatric disorder, and who have no known first degree relatives with mood disorders.
For cognitive experiments utilizing language stimuli only native English speakers will be enrolled.
Male and female subjects between 18 and 65 years of age.
Subjects have been found eligible for other ETPB research protocols according to 01-M-0254.
Subjects must fulfill DSM-IV or V criteria for Major Depression based on clinical assessment and confirmed by a structured diagnostic interview (SCID-P).
Subjects must be able to give written informed consent prior to participation in this study.
For cognitive experiments utilizing language stimuli, only native English speakers will be enrolled.

Exclusion

Subjects with major medical or neurological disorders expected to influence cerebral blood flow or morphology, or taking any medication that is likely to influence the imaging parameters-of-interest within 3 weeks of scanning.
Women who are pregnant are excluded from the study. Subjects will undergo pregnancy testing no more than 24 hours prior to MRI scanning.
Subjects with contraindication to MRI scanning such as aneurysm clips, implanted neural stimulator, implanted cardiac pacemaker or auto-defibrillator, cochlear implant, or ocular foreign body.
A history of drug or alcohol abuse within 1 year or a lifetime history of drug or alcohol dependence (DSM-IV) or alcohol use disorder (DSM-V equivalent).
Presence of Axis 1 psychiatric diagnosis other than Major Depression or an Axis 2 disorder
Subjects with major medical or neurological disorders expected to influence cognitive function or are taking any drugs likely to affect mood or cognitive function within 1 week of study participation. Depressed subjects will not be tapered/withdrawn from medications under this study.
A history of drug or alcohol abuse within 1 year or a lifetime history of drug or alcohol dependence (DSM-IV) or alcohol use disorder (DSM-V equivalent).
Subjects with major medical or neurological disorders expected to influence cerebral blood flow or morphology.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding will be excluded from MRI portions of the study. Subjects will undergo pregnancy testing no more than 24 hours prior to MRI scanning.
Subjects with contraindication to MRI scanning such as aneurysm clips, implanted neural stimulator, implanted cardiac pacemaker or auto-defibrillator, cochlear implant, or ocular foreign body.

What this trial measures

  • BOLD time seriesVaries based on experiment

    Magnetic Resonance Imaging data

  • Structural volumesVaries based on experiment

    Magnetic Resonance Imaging data

  • AccuracyVaries based on experiment

    Neuropsychological testing data

  • Contrast-to-noise ratioVaries based on experiment

    Magnetic Resonance Imaging data

  • Signal-to-noise ratioVaries based on experiment

    Magnetic Resonance Imaging data

  • Relaxation timesVaries based on experiment

    Reflexometry data

  • Metabolite concentrationsVaries based on experiment

    Magnetoencephalography data

  • Reaction timeVaries based on experiment

    Neuropsychological testing data