Geriatric Psychiatry Research
Opportunities for clinical and translational research in geriatric psychiatry are considerable. There are particular divisional strengths in:
- functional neuroimaging (PET & fMRI)
- pharmacometrics
- pharmacogenetics
- clinical trials methodology
Dr. Krista Lanctot and Dr. Sanjeev Kumar are jointly serving as Research Coordinators for the Division. Graduate advisers within the Division are available to those enrolled in the Clinician Scientist Program.
Find and contact Toronto Dementia Research Alliance Affiliated Research Studies.
Ongoing research studies that are recruiting participants
About to start recruiting: IBHeC: Investigating the Brain-Heart Connection
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| 1. Age 60+ 2. Any of: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) Remitted major depressive disorder (rMDD) Cognitively unimpaired with no history of rMDD Geriatric Depression Rating Scale (GDS) <5 and does not currently meet criteria for major depressive episode (MDE) | No; observational study | Heart rate variability (HRV) assessment; cognitive and mood assessments; informant interview | Study Contact: Amanda Rahmadian (arahmadian@research.baycrest.org) PI: Dr. Linda Mah | Baycrest |
About to start recruiting: dTMS SCD: Effect of Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) on Cognition in Older Adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| 1. 55-70 years old 2. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) with family history of late onset sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease 3. Score >26 on MoCA 4. Stable on medications and not expected to change during study period | Yes; Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) | EEG; Cognitive and mood assessments; informant assessment | Study Contact: Amanda Rahmadian (dtms@research.baycrest.org) PI: Dr. Linda Mah | Baycrest |
dTMS for MCI/AD + depression: Treatment of Comorbid Depression and Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults Using Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS)
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| 1. Age 55+ Mild/Major Neurocognitive Disorder due to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD), current episode >4 weeks but <5 years, which has not responded to antidepressant medication 2. Stable on medications (2 months) and not expected to change during study period | Yes; Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) | Clinical/ neuropsychological assessments, Cognitive assessment, Neuroimaging (EEG/MEG & MRI), | Study Contact: Amanda Rahmadian (dtms@research.baycrest.org) PI: Dr. Linda Mah | Baycrest |
ACAD: Asian Cohort for Alzheimer’s Disease
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| - Age 60+, diagnosed with AD or healthy control - Identifies both parents as being Chinese | No | Cognitive assessments, physical (neurological) assessment, blood work | PI: Dr. Wai Haung (Ho) Yu Study Contact: Jake McCallum (jake.mccallum@camh.ca) | CAMH |
BEAM: The Brain-Eye Amyloid Memory (BEAM): Validation of ocular measures as potential biomarkers for early detection of brain amyloid and neurodegeneration
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| 1. Male or post-menopausal female (minimum of one year since the last menstrual period) 2. 50-90 years of age 3. ≥8 years education 4. Sufficient vision to participate in cognitive testing (corrected near visual acuity of Snellen 20/70 in at least one eye 5. Able to walk, with or without an assistive aid (e.g., cane, walker) Additional specific eligibility criteria for Healthy Control, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s Disease, Lewy BodyDisease, Parkinson’s Disease Dementia, and Vacular Cognitive Impairment groups. | No; observational study | 1. Genomics and Fluid Biomarkers. 2. Neuropsycholog ical Battery and Questionnaires. 3. SD-OCT. 4. Vital Signs and Neurological Exam. 5. Gait and Balance Assessment. 6. Eye Tracking. 7. SV-OCT 8. MRI 9. Amyloid PET | PI: Dr. Sandra Black Site PI: Dr. Sanjeev Kumar (CAMH) Study Contact: Gifty Asare (CAMH) (gifty.asare@camh.ca) | Sunnybrook CAMH |
PAS-MCI: Enhancing Frontal Lobes Plasticity and Function in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
|
MCI: > 60yo, right handed, MCI diagnosis, fluent in English HC: >60yo, right handed, fluent in English, no lifetime history of psychiatric condition |
Yes: Paired Associative Stimulation (PAS): Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) + Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) | NeuroPsych assessments, Bloodwork, Biomarkers, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Saliva Sampling, PAS, Electroencephalogra phy (EEG) | PI: Dr. Tarek Rajji Study Contact: Francois Genadry (francois.genadry@camh.ca) | CAMH |
SARTAN-AD: Randomized, Open Label, Proof of Concept Study of Telmisartan vs. Perindopril in MildModerate Alzheimer’s Disease Patients
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| 1) Alzheimer’s disease 2) Previous MRI/CT to rule out exclusionary pathology 3) Study partner 4) HbA1C < 8.5% 5) can’t be on an angiotensin receptor blocker w/i 12 months 6) Mini Mental State Exam score of 16-27 | Telmisartan; Perindopril | MRI, blood, cognitive assessments, caregiver assessments | PI: Dr. Sandra Black Study Contact: Ljubica Zotovica (ljubica.zotovic@sunnybrook.ca) Karan Patel (karan.patel@sri.utoronto.ca) Site PI: Dr. Sanjeev Kumar (CAMH) Study Contact: Gifty Asare (CAMH) (gifty.asare@camh.ca) | Sunnybrook CAMH |
S-CitAD: Escitalopram for Agitation in Alzheimer’s Disease
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| 1) Alzheimer’s disease 2) Agitation 3) Has a caregiver 4) Not in a long-term care home | Yes, psychosocial intervention, escitalopram or placebo | Cognitive and clinical assessments, blood work, electrocardiogram (ECG), vital signs, weight | PI: Dr. Tarek Rajji (CAMH) Study Contact: Celine Sakran (CAMH ) (celine.sakran@camh.ca); Rhea Harduwar (rhea.harduwar@camh.ca) PI: Krista Lanctôt ( Sunnybrook) Krista.lanctot@sunnybrook.ca Study Contact: Kritleen Bawa (Sunnybrook) (kritleen.bawa@sri.utoronto.ca) PI: Dr. Amer Burhan (Ontario Shores ) (burhana@ontarioshores.ca) Study Contact: Dr. Mervin Blair (Ontario Shores) (blairmer@ontarioshores.ca); Dr. Amer Burhan (burhana@ontarioshores.ca); Ramandeep Layal (Ontario Shores) (layalr@ontarioshores.ca) | CAMH Sunnybrook Ontario Shores |
tTED: Targeting Brain Physiology to Treat Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia using TMS-EEG and tDCS
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| 50 years old + & Free from any significant neurological disorder (HC) AD or mixed AD diagnosis(AD and AD+Agitation groups) | Yes 2 weeks Transcranial direct currentstimulation (tDCS) (AD+Agitation group only) | Cognitive Assessments MRI TMS-EGG tDCS (AD+Agitation group only) | PI: Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Study Contact: Gifty Asare (gifty.asare@camh.ca) | CAMH |
NAB-IT: Nabilone for Agitation Blinded Intervention Trial
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| 1) DSM 5 criteria for Major Neurocognitive Disorder due to AD (+/- vascular) 2) MMSE ≤24 3) agitation (IPA definition) 4) caregiver | Yes, nabilone or placebo | Behavioral assessments(CMAI,, NPI), Cognitive assessment (MMSE), pain assessment, nutrition assessment, blood work | PI: Dr. Amer Burhan (Ontario Shores) Study Contact: Elaina Niciforos (Ontario Shores) (niciforose@ontarioshores.ca); Dr. Mervin Blair(blairmer@ontarioshores.ca; Dr. Amer Burhan (Burhanm@ontarioshores.ca) PI: Krista Lanctôt (Sunnybrook) Krista.lanctot@sunnybrook.ca Study Contact: Kritleen Bawa (Sunnybrook) (kritleen.bawa@sri.utoronto.ca) PI: Dr. Tarek Rajji (CAMH) Tarek.rajji@camh.ca Study Contact: Celine Sakran (CAMH) (celine.sakran@camh.ca); Rhea Harduwar (rhea.harduwar@camh.ca) | Ontario Shores Sunnybrook CAMH |
Vielight: Neuro RX Gamma Photobiomodulation Device for Moderate to Severe Alzheimer’s Disease
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| ON HOLD: temporarily on hold and transitioning to a less impaired patient population starting in the new year (moderate to severe AD 1) Diagnosis of AD 2) MMSE score between 8–20 3) SIB score at baseline of ≤90 Age 4) 50 and older at the time of enrolment 5) No abnormality other than Alzheimer’s disease on MRI or CT scan obtained within previous 24 months of enrolment into the trial | Yes, The Neuro RX Gamma device or placebo device | Cognitive assessments | PI: Dr. Corinne Fischer Corinne.fischer@unityhealth.to Research Coordinator: Arthishia Shanmuganathan Arthishia.shanmuganathan@unityhealth.to | UHT |
MOVE-IT: Efficacy and Safety of Nacetylcysteine (NAC) in patients with mild vascular cognitive impairment
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| mVCI (MoCA of ≤ 27) o supervised exercise program at UHN Toronto Cardiac Rehab o speak and understand English o No history ofstroke, epilepsy, TBI, Parkinson’s etc. o history of CAD, or vascular risk factors | Yes: intervention capsules and exercise | Cognitive assessment, blood work, MRI and MRS, exercising at Toronto Rehab Institute | PI: Krista Lanctôt Krista.lanctot@sunnybrook.ca Study contact: Jane Ding (Sunnybrook) (jane.ding@sunnybrook.ca) | Sunnybrook |
MOVE-IT MRS: Linking GSH and cognitive response: a pilot phase 2a study of NAC in VCIND
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| o consent to MOVE-IT trial o Cognitively normal: MoCA ≥28 or no cognitive deficits (not 1 SD below population norm) o Males or females aged 55-85 years o Speaks and understands English o Enrollment in Cardiac Rehabilitation at UHN Toronto Rehabilitation Institute | Yes: intervention capsules and exercise | Cognitive assessment, blood work, MRI and MRS, exercising at Toronto Rehab Institute | PI: Krista Lanctôt Krista.lanctot@sunnybrook.ca Study contact: Jane Ding (Sunnybrook) (jane.ding@sunnybrook.ca) | Sunnybrook |
EXPRESS: Exercise as a primer for excitatory stimulation study: A combined exercise and transcranial direct current stimulation intervention for cognition
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| 1) Males or females ≥50 years of age 2) DSM-5 major or mild neurocognitive disorder due to AD or mixed AD/vascular disease 3) MMSE ≥19 4) Read and communicate in English | Yes: transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), sham tDCS, exercise,treatment as usual (no exercise) | Cognitive assessments, blood work, optional MRI, exercising at Toronto Rehab Institute | PI: Krista Lanctôt Krista.lanctot@sunnybrook.ca Study contact: Mehreen Siddiqui (mehreen.siddiqui@sri.utoronto.ca) | Sunnybrook |
EXPRESS-V: Exercise as a primer for excitatory stimulation in VCIND
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| 1) mVCI and MoCA ≤ 27 2) Sufficiently proficient in English 3) able to exercise at moderate intensity (with training) | Yes: transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), sham tDCS, exercise,treatment as usual (no exercise) | Cognitive assessments, blood work, MRI, exercising at Toronto Rehab Institute | PI: Krista Lanctôt Krista.lanctot@sunnybrook.ca Study contact: Mehreen Siddiqui (mehreen.siddiqui@sri.utoronto.ca) | Sunnybrook |
About to start recruiting: Cannabidiol Medication Intervention Trial (CALMIT)
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| - Alzheimer’s disease - Clinically significant agitation - No other major psychiatric or neurologic conditions | Cognitive assessments, mood & behaviour assessments with caregiver, blood tests | PI: Dr. Krista Lanctôt (krista.lanctot@sunnybrook.ca) Study contact: Kritleen Bawa (kritleen.bawa@sri.utoronto.ca) | Sunnybrook |
CVL-871-2001: A Trial of the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacodynamics of CVL-871 in Subjects With Dementia Related Apathy
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| apathy (ISCTM criteria) + NPI apathy ≥2) mild to moderate dementia (Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal, vascular, Lewy bodies, or mixed) caregiver No other major psychiatric or neurological condition (stable anxiety/depression treated acceptable) Ambulatory Not in long-term care | Yes: CVL-871 1.0mg, CVL-871 3.0mg, or placebo | Cognitive assessments, neuropsychiatric symptom assessments, caregiver interviews, blood and urine analysis, ECG | PI: Dr. Krista Lanctôt (krista.lanctot@sunnybrook.ca) Study Contact: Christina Wang (christina.wang@sri.utoronto.ca) | Sunnybrook |
CREAtE: Community-based Cognitive Remediation and tDCS to Enhance Seniors’ Function and Mental Health
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| - Age 50 or above - Meets DSM-V criteria for any disorder - Clinically stable as operationalized by (1) having not been admitted to a psychiatric hospital within the 3 months prior to assessment, (2) having had no change in psychotropic medication dosage within the 4 weeks prior to assessment, and (3) ascertained to be clinically and medically stable by one the study psychiatrists. - Willingness and ability to speak English - Corrected hearing capability and visual ability | Yes – Cognitive remediation (CR) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) | Cognitive and functional assessments | PI: Dr. Angela Golas (angela.golas@camh.ca) Study Contacts: Bishoy Elgallab (bishoy.elgallab@camh.ca) Lavinia Jeyanathan (lavinia.jeyanathan@camh.ca) | CAMH |
Brain Health Support Program: A year-long, web-based, interactive program to reduce dementia risk factors. Part of CAN-Thumbs-UP and CCNA.
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| 1) Ages 60-85 2) Cognitively intact, subjective cognitive decline, or mild cognitive impairment AND 3) Increased risk of dementia (1st degree family history), hypertension, hypercholesteremia, high BMI, OR physical inactivity | Yes | Cognitive, neural, and risk assessment, yearlong program (all remote) | PI: Nicole Anderson nanderson@research.baycrest.org Study Contact: Senny Chan (schan2@research.baycrest.org) | Baycrest |
Exercise augmenting cognition tDCS (EXACT) trial: A pilot study of a combined exercise and transcranial direct current stimulation intervention for cognition
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| 1) Males or females ≥50 years of age 2) DSM-5 major or mild neurocognitive disorder due to AD or mixed AD/vascular disease 3) MMSE ≥19 4) Read and communicate in English | Yes: transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), exercise, treatment as usual (no exercise) | Cognitive assessments, bloodwork, optional MRI, exercising at Toronto Rehab Institute | Co-PI: Krista Lanctôt Krista.lanctot@sunnybrook.ca Study contact: Mehreen Siddiqui (mehreen.siddiqui@sri.utoronto.ca) | Sunnybrook |
dTMS for MCI/AD + comorbid depression: Treatment of Comorbid Depression and Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults Using Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS)
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| 1. Age 55+ Mild/Major Neurocognitive Disorder due to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD), current episode >4 weeks but <5 years, which has not responded to antidepressant medication 2. Stable on medications (2 months) and not expected to change during study period | Yes; Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) | - Clinical/ neuropsychological assessments - Cognitive assessment - Neuroimaging (EEG/MEG & MRI), | Study Contact: Amanda Rahmadian (dtms@research.baycrest.org) PI: Dr. Linda Mah | Baycrest |
About to start recruiting: IBHeC Investigating the Brain-Heart Connection
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| 1. Age 60+ 2. Any of: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) Remitted major depressive disorder (rMDD) Cognitively unimpaired with no history of rMDD 3. Geriatric Depression Rating Scale (GDS) <5 and does not currently meet criteria for major depressive episode (MDE) | No; observational study | Heart rate variability (HRV) assessment; Cognitive and mood assessments; Informant interview | Study Contact: Amanda Rahmadian (arahmadian@research.baycrest.org) PI: Dr. Linda Mah | Baycrest |
Take a breather: Development of a Novel Behavioural Intervention to Improve Emotional Well-Being in Older Adults
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| 1. Age 65+ 2. Penn State Worry Questionnaire ≥45 3. Montreal Cognitive Assessment Score ≥24 4. Not receiving active treatment of medical or psychiatric conditions (stable medication doses) | Yes; stress management based on breathing exercises | Mood & Cognitive questionnaires Heart rate variability assessment Breathing exercises | Study Contact: Amanda Rahmadian (arahmadian@research.baycrest.org) PI: Dr. Linda Mah | Baycrest |
OPTIMUM: Optimizing Outcomes of Treatment- Resistant Depression in Older Adults
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| 1. Men and women aged 60 and older, with equal proportions aged 60-70 and 70+. 2. Current Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), single or recurrent, as diagnosed by DSM-5 criteria. 3. Failure to respond adequately to two or more antidepressant treatment trials of recommended dose and length (approximately 12 weeks) 4. PHQ-9 score of 10 or higher. | Yes Step 1: Bupropion or Aripiprazole Step 2: Lithium or Nortriptyline | -Clinical assessments | PI: Dr. Benoit Mulsant Benoit.Mulsant@utoronto.ca Study Contact: Hailey Wright (hailey.wright@camh.ca) | CAMH |
OPTIMUM Neuro: Neurocognitive and neuroimaging biomarkers: predicting progression towards dementia in patients with treatment-resistant late-life depression
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| 1. Men and women aged 60 and older, with approximately equal proportions aged 60- 70 and 70+. 2. Current Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), single or recurrent, as diagnosed by DSM-5 criteria. 3. Failure to respond adequately to two or more antidepressant treatment trials of recommended dose and length (approximately 12 weeks). 4. PHQ-9 score of 10 or higher | No | - Neuropsychological assessments - Clinical Assessments - fMRI brain scans - Blood work - Hearing test | PI: Aristotle Voineskos Aristotle.voineskos@camh.ca Study Contact: Brigette Mayorga (brigette.mayorga@camh.ca) | CAMH |
Association of myelin content with neuropsychological performance in remitted major depressive disorder. An adult lifespan perspective.
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| Inclusion Criteria Men and women aged 18 years or older (no upper age limit) History of MDD according to DSM-5 criteria, with most recent episode having its offset within the past 24 months In symptomatic remission for at least the preceding 4 months Exclusion Criteria Dementia Inability to communicate in English Physical disability or sensory impairment that prevents participation in neuropsychological assessment Contraindication to MRI | No | Neuropsychological assessment; MRI; bloodwork | PI: Kathleen Bingham & Alastair Flint Study contact: Anastasia Taskov (anastasia.taskov@uhn.ca) | UHN CAMH |
CORRECT BD: Cognitive Outcomes and the Response/Remission Efficacy of Convulsive Therapies for Bipolar Depression
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| 1. are inpatients or outpatients 2. are 18 years of age or older 3.Diagnosis of nonpsychotic Bipolar Disorder (Type I orII; according to MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview diagnosis) 4.are considered to be appropriate to receive convulsive therapy as assessed by an ECT attending psychiatrist and a consultant anaesthesiologist | Yes, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) | Clinical and cognitive assessments, lab work (blood work, urine screen), and electrocardiogram (ECG) | PI: Dr. Amer Burhan (burhana@ontarioshores.ca) Study Contact: Dr. Mervin Blair (Ontario Shores) (blairmer@ontarioshores.ca); Dr. Amer Burhan (burhana@ontarioshores.ca) | Ontario Shores |
ECT vs. Ketamine: Investigations on the Efficacy of Ketamine in Depression in Comparison to Electroconvulsive Therapy
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| 1.Men and women aged between 18 and 70 years, inclusive with a body massindex (BMI) < 35 2. Patients meeting criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or Bipolar Disorder (BP) without psychotic symptoms according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM5) | Yes, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or Ketamine Infusions | Clinical and cognitive assessments, lab work (blood work, urine screen), and electrocardiogram (ECG), and vitals | PI: Dr. Amer Burhan (burhana@ontarioshores.ca) Study Contact: Dr. Mervin Blair (blairmer@ontarioshores.ca); Dr. Amer Burhan (burhana@ontarioshores.ca); Ramandeep Layal (Ontario Shores) (layalr@ontarioshores.ca) | Ontario Shores |
CR + tDCS at Home: Home-Based Remediation and transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to Enhance Cognition in Persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Late Life Depression: A Pilot Study
| KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention | KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) | CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) | SITES |
| Inclusion Criteria for MCI or MDD group: • Age > 60 (on day of randomization) • DSM-IV criteria for Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (“MCI”) OR • Meets DSM-IV criteria for one or more MDE(s)with: a) an offset of 2 months to 5 years from the screening visit date. It is not necessary for this (these) episode(s) to have received medical attention OR b) an offset of 5 years or more from the screening visit date. It is necessary that at least one MDE received medical attention (e.g., previously been on one or more antidepressant(s), saw a psychiatrist, primary care physician, or had a previous hospitalization). Also, the MDE must have occurred during the participant’s adult life (i.e., at 18 years of age or older). • Willingness to provide informed consent • MADRS score of 10 or below • Availability of a study partner who has regular contact with the participant Ability to read and communicate in English (with corrected vision and hearing, if needed) Exclusion Criteria: • Meets DSM-IV criteria for Major Neurocognitive Disorder (“dementia”) • Lifetime DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or OCD • DSM-IV diagnosis of alcohol or other substances use disorder within the past 12 months. • High risk for suicide. • Significant neurological condition (e.g., stroke, seizure disorder, MS) • Unstable medical illness (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or hypertension) • Participants taking anticonvulsants, and other psychotropic medication (see exception below) that cannot be safely tapered and discontinued. In addition to any antidepressant, the following psychtropic medications are allowed if they have been taken at a stable dose for at least 4 weeks prior to study entry: zopiclone, trazodone, or a benzodiazepine; and gabapentin or pregabalin if prescribed for chronic pain. • Having taken a cognitive enhancer (acetylcholinesterase inhibitor or memantine) within the past 6 weeks. • A pace-maker or other metal implants that would preclude safe use of tDCS. |