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RELMED
Reinforcement learning mechanisms of pharmacological treatments for depression: a double-blind, four-arm, placebo-controlled multi-site trial in UK primary care (IRAS: 345935)
To test whether serotonergic and catecholaminergic antidepressants alter different, specific Reinforcement Learning (RL) processes. Primary objective is comparing:
- A) escitalopram and placebo,
- B) bupropion and placebo,
- C) bupropion and escitalopram.
Secondary objectives include Reinforcement Learning (RL) behaviour parameters at week 4 and EEG parameters at week 2. Practices are invited to act as Participant Identification Centres (PICs) for the study.
- Chief Investigator: Dr Quentin Huys
- Study Sponsor: University College London
Patient participation
Participants will be randomised to 8 weeks + 3 days escitalopram or 8 weeks + 3 days bupropion or 2 weeks + 3 days placebo followed by 6 weeks escitalopram or 2 weeks + 3 days placebo followed by 6 weeks bupropion. After the 8-week (59 days) blinded phase, participants will be provided with open-label treatment up to week 26.
Participants will be tapered off medication at the end of the open-label phase, and followed up to monitor for relapse up to one year. The home assessments contain the main outcomes of the study - participants will log on to the online system and perform all assessments on the web browser.
Patient eligibility
Inclusion:
- Low mood, depressed mood.
Exclusion:
- has had pharmacological treatment for depression in past 6 weeks.
- contraindications to treatment with bupropion or escitalopram.
- chronic neurological disease; CHD/IHD or heart failure.
- significant active suicidality.
- unwilling or unable to perform the online behavioural assessments.
Full list of inclusion & exclusion criteria available on request. Study team will provide practices with a pre-built EMIS search.
To express an interest in this study or find out information on other studies open to you, please contact us.