Psilocybin and Depression (Psilo101)

• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03380442
• Recruitment Status: Not yet recruiting
• First Posted: December 21, 2017
• Last Update Posted: December 21, 2017
• Sponsor: University of Helsinki
• Collaborators: Dr. Tomi Rantamäki, Laboratory of Neurotherapeutics, Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki; Dr. Robin Carthart-Harris and Prof. David Nutt, Imperial College London, UK
• Information provided by (Responsible Party): Jesper Ekelund, University of Helsinki

Tracking Information

• First Submitted Date: December 12, 2017
• First Posted Date: December 21, 2017
• Last Update Posted Date: December 21, 2017
• Estimated Study Start Date: September 2018
• Estimated Primary Completion Date: January 2020 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)

Current Primary Outcome Measures (submitted: December 15, 2017)

The 16-Item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS) [ Time Frame: 6 months ]

The primary outcome measures in this study will be the mean change in QIDS scores from pre-administration baseline at day 1 to Follow-up 2 at day 103 (3 months after the administration session). Additionally, an electronic version of the QIDS will be performed 6 months after the administration session. The criteria for determining response will be a reduction of 25% in the (QIDS; Rush et al., 2003) scores from baseline (screening), and remission will be scores of ≤5 on the QIDS.

• Original Primary Outcome Measures: Same as current
• Change History: No Changes Posted

Current Secondary Outcome Measures (submitted: December 15, 2017)

• The Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale [ Time Frame: 3 months ]
  The Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale will be carried out at screening ( day 1), Follow-up 1 (day 18) and Follow-up 2 (day 103, 3 months after the administration session).
• Hamilton Depression Rating Scale [ Time Frame: 3 months ]
  The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale will be carried out at screening ( day 1), Follow-up 1 (day 18) and Follow-up 2 (day 103, 3 months after the administration session).

• Original Secondary Outcome Measures: Same as current
• Current Other Pre-specified Outcome Measures: Not Provided
• Original Other Pre-specified Outcome Measures: Not Provided

Descriptive Information

• Brief Title: Psilocybin and Depression
• Official Title: Psilocybin and Depression - Assessing the Long-term Effects of a Single Administration of Psilocybin on the Psychiatric Symptoms and Brain Activity of Patients With Severe Depression
• Brief Summary: The main aim of the study is to investigate the possible long-term therapeutic effects of psilocybin on the symptoms of severe depression, as well as the brain mechanisms underlying these changes. Depression severity is assessed before and after (i.e., 1 week, 3 months and 6 months after) a single dose of psilocybin and compared to respective scores of a group receiving an active placebo, ketamine. Brain activity (using functional magnetic resonance imaging) is measured before and one week after drug administration in order to determine whether changes in brain networks related to emotional and self-referential processing correlate with any observed changes in depression scores. Further, blood samples will be obtained from the participants and analyzed in order to reveal gene expression and molecular level correlates underlying rapid antidepressant effects, and to identify biomarkers that predict treatment outcome.
• Detailed Description: Not Provided
• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Phase: Phase 2

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention Model Description:

In a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled design, 20 of the participants will receive ketamine, and 20 will receive psilocybin. 20 of the participants will be included in the study as a no-treatment group, so that natural time-dependent changes in depressive symptoms can be controlled for and thus the antidepressive effects of ketamine and psilocybin treatment can be verified. The no-treatment group will only attend the initial clinical interviews, and their depressive symptoms will be assessed remotely.

Masking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking Description:

Since the psilocybin is ingested orally in capsule form, whereas ketamine is administered intranasally, the participants will either receive a placebo capsule containing microcrystalline cellulose (if they belong to the group receiving ketamine), or intranasally administered saline solution (with added bitter flavoring which will mimic the taste of ketamine that is often detectable even when administered intranasally).

Primary Purpose: Basic Science

• Condition: Severe Depression

Intervention

• Drug: Psilocybin
  Psilocybin ingested orally
• Drug: Ketamine (Ketalar)
  Ketamine administered intranasally

Study Arms

• Experimental: Psilocybin group
  This group will receive a single oral 25mg dose of psilocybin under surveilled and safe conditions.
  Intervention: Drug: Psilocybin
• Active Comparator: Ketamine group
  This group will receive a single intranasal 125mg dose of ketamine under surveilled and safe conditions.
  Intervention: Drug: Ketamine (Ketalar)
• No Intervention: No-treatment group
  This group will be included in the study as a no-treatment group, so that natural time-dependent changes in depressive symptoms can be controlled for and thus the antidepressive effects of ketamine and psilocybin treatment can be verified

• Publications *: Not Provided

Recruitment Information

• Recruitment Status: Not yet recruiting
• Estimated Enrollment (submitted: December 15, 2017): 60
• Original Estimated Enrollment: Same as current
• Estimated Study Completion Date: September 2021
• Estimated Primary Completion Date: January 2020 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Major depression of a moderate to severe degree (17+ on the 21-item HAM-D).
2. No health-related contraindications.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Current or previously diagnosed psychotic disorder.
2. Immediate family member with a diagnosed psychotic disorder.
3. Medically significant condition rendering unsuitability for the study (e.g., diabetes, epilepsy, severe cardiovascular disease, hepatic or renal failure etc.).
4. History of suicide attempts.
5. History of mania.
6. Current 5-HT2A antagonist antidepressant medication.
7. Blood or needle phobia.
8. Positive pregnancy test.
9. Current drug or alcohol dependence.
10. Lack of appropriate use of contraception.
11. Breast-feeding.

Sex/Gender

• Sexes Eligible for Study: All

• Ages: 18 Years to 64 Years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Contacts

Contact: Mona E Moisala, PhD; 504480044 ext +358; mona.moisala@helsinki.fi

• Listed Location Countries: Not Provided

Administrative Information

• NCT Number: NCT03380442
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2016-004195-22
• Has Data Monitoring Committee: No

U.S. FDA-regulated Product

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: No

IPD Sharing Statement

• Plan to Share IPD: No

• Responsible Party: Jesper Ekelund, University of Helsinki
• Study Sponsor: University of Helsinki

Collaborators

• Dr. Tomi Rantamäki, Laboratory of Neurotherapeutics, Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki
• Dr. Robin Carthart-Harris and Prof. David Nutt, Imperial College London, UK

• Investigators: Not Provided
• PRS Account: University of Helsinki
• Verification Date: December 2017