Viewing Study NCT00000375



Ignite Creation Date: 2024-05-05 @ 10:17 AM
Last Modification Date: 2025-12-17 @ 7:00 PM
Study NCT ID: NCT00000375
Status: None
Last Update Posted: 2005-12-20 00:00:00
First Post: 1999-11-02 00:00:00

Brief Title: Continuation Electroconvulsive Therapy Vs Medication to Prevent Relapses in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder
Sponsor: National Institute of Mental Health NIMH
Organization: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Study Overview

Official Title: Continuation ECT Vs Pharmacotherapy--Efficacy And Safety
Status: None
Status Verified Date: 2005-12
Last Known Status: None
Delayed Posting: No
If Stopped, Why?: Not Stopped
Has Expanded Access: False
If Expanded Access, NCT#: N/A
Has Expanded Access, NCT# Status: N/A
Acronym: None
Brief Summary: To define the role of continuation electroconvulsive therapy (C-ECT) in relapse-prevention of seriously ill patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). To determine the relative efficacy and safety of C-ECT in comparison to the traditional approach of continuation pharmacotherapy (C-PHARM) to prevent relapses of MDD.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly effective treatment for MDD that is helpful for patients with the most severe forms of affective illness; however, relapse after successful acute phase ECT or pharmacotherapy remains a major public health problem. To prevent relapse in patients with MDD who have responded to ECT, the common practice is to prescribe an antidepressant (e.g., a tricyclic \[TCA\], a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor \[SSRI\], or lithium) as continuation therapy. Recent studies show an alarmingly high relapse rate after ECT despite conventional continuation pharmacotherapy (C-PHARM). Continuation ECT (C-ECT) is also in widespread clinical use; however, its efficacy and safety have never been rigorously tested.

Investigators at four sites (Mayo Clinic, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Zucker Hillside Hospital, and University of Texas SW Medical Center, Dallas) randomize patients to receive either C-ECT or an aggressive pharmacological strategy (nortriptyline and lithium in combination, \[NOR-Li\]) for 6 months following response to acute phase ECT. Raters at each site evaluate symptoms and side effects. On the basis of edited videotapes obtained at regular intervals, a site-independent, blinded evaluator also assesses symptoms. A neuropsychological battery is administered prior to acute phase ECT, shortly after the ECT course, 3 months after the end of the acute phase treatment, and at the end of the 6-month continuation trial. These continuation therapies are compared in their effects on relapse, cognitive performance, global functioning, side effects, and perceived health status. NOR and Li levels are optimized by blood level monitoring. Bilateral ECT, at progressively increasing intervals, are used for C-ECT. Methods are included to ensure the integrity of clinical diagnoses, symptom severity assessment, data collection and entry, and treatment delivery. In all patients, surreptitious use of prescription or recreational drugs is monitored by urine testing.
Detailed Description: To define the role of continuation electroconvulsive therapy C-ECT in relapse-prevention of seriously ill patients with major depressive disorder MDD To determine the relative efficacy and safety of C-ECT in comparison to the traditional approach of continuation pharmacotherapy C-PHARM to prevent relapses of MDD

Electroconvulsive therapy ECT is a highly effective treatment for MDD that is helpful for patients with the most severe forms of affective illness however relapse after successful acute phase ECT or pharmacotherapy remains a major public health problem To prevent relapse in patients with MDD who have responded to ECT the common practice is to prescribe an antidepressant eg a tricyclic TCA a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor SSRI or lithium as continuation therapy Recent studies show an alarmingly high relapse rate after ECT despite conventional continuation pharmacotherapy C-PHARM Continuation ECT C-ECT is also in widespread clinical use however its efficacy and safety have never been rigorously tested

Investigators at four sites Mayo Clinic UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School Zucker Hillside Hospital and University of Texas SW Medical Center Dallas randomize patients to receive either C-ECT or an aggressive pharmacological strategy nortriptyline and lithium in combination NOR-Li for 6 months following response to acute phase ECT Raters at each site evaluate symptoms and side effects On the basis of edited videotapes obtained at regular intervals a site-independent blinded evaluator also assesses symptoms A neuropsychological battery is administered prior to acute phase ECT shortly after the ECT course 3 months after the end of the acute phase treatment and at the end of the 6-month continuation trial These continuation therapies are compared in their effects on relapse cognitive performance global functioning side effects and perceived health status NOR and Li levels are optimized by blood level monitoring Bilateral ECT at progressively increasing intervals are used for C-ECT Methods are included to ensure the integrity of clinical diagnoses symptom severity assessment data collection and entry and treatment delivery In all patients surreptitious use of prescription or recreational drugs is monitored by urine testing

Study Oversight

Has Oversight DMC: None
Is a FDA Regulated Drug?: None
Is a FDA Regulated Device?: None
Is an Unapproved Device?: None
Is a PPSD?: None
Is a US Export?: None
Is an FDA AA801 Violation?: None