Cortical GABA Concentrations in Insomnia

January 18, 2013 updated by: Gerard Sanacora, Yale University

The Association of Cortical GABA Concentrations in Subjects With Primary Insomnia and Depression in Partial Remission With Residual Insomnia

Disturbances in the amino acid neurotransmitter (AANt), gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) function are hypothesized to contribute to the neurobiology of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and insomnia. The principal objective of this project is to use magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to provide the first in vivo characterization of cortical GABA levels in individuals with primary insomnia, and to determine whether subjects with MDD, achieving a partial response with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment but still experiencing significant residual symptoms including insomnia, have altered levels of this neurotransmitter. The investigators are also exploring the correlation between cortical AANt levels and abnormalities in sleep parameters in primary insomnia and as a residual symptom of major depression.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

Three groups of subjects (MDD with partial remission and residual insomnia, primary insomnia, and healthy) will participate in the study. All subjects will complete a telephone screening, and if appropriate a complete face-to-face evaluation, to determine their eligibility for the study. All subjects meeting eligibility criteria for the study will complete a baseline MRS session to evaluate differences in GABA concentrations between the three groups.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

23

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Connecticut
      • New Haven, Connecticut, United States, 06519
        • Yale Depression Research Program

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

25 years to 55 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Community sample

Description

Patient Sample.

  • Healthy subjects without insomnia (Group A) (n=10)
  • Subjects with primary insomnia (Group B) (n=20)
  • Subjects with a history of major depressive disorder and currently in partial remission but with residual insomnia (Group C) (n=20)

Inclusion Criteria for Primary Insomnia Subjects:

  • Males or females between the ages of 25 and 55 years
  • Clinical diagnosis of primary insomnia meeting DSM-IV criteria.
  • Current insomnia ratings (current Sleep Onset Latency SOL > 30 minutes, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) > 14, total sleep time (TST) < 6.5 hrs/night).
  • No lifetime history of psychopathology other than primary insomnia.
  • No sleep disorders previously identified as related to other conditions including sleep disordered breathing, restless leg syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, chronic pain, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, sleep paralysis, nocturnal seizures, nocturia, enuresis; also narcolepsy and REM behavior disorders (assessed by clinical interview and Harvard Center and Cognition Habitual Sleep Survey).

Inclusion Criteria for Depressed Subjects:

  • Males or females between the ages of 25 and 55 years
  • Clinical diagnosis of major depression meeting DSM-IV criteria in partial remission (HDRS-8-17), confirmed after semi-structured interview with the SCID and HDRS.
  • On monotherapy with a single SSRI medication for a period of at least 6-weeks.
  • Remaining symptoms of insomnia (current Sleep Onset Latency (SOL) > 30 minutes, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) > 14, TST < 6.5 hrs/night).
  • Participation is judged clinically appropriate by treatment team.
  • No sleep disorders previously identified as related to other conditions including sleep disordered breathing, restless leg syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, chronic pain, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, sleep paralysis, nocturnal seizures, nocturia, enuresis; also narcolepsy and REM behavior disorders.

Inclusion Criteria for Healthy Control Subjects:

  • Males or females between the ages of 25 and 55 years
  • No lifetime history of psychopathology or insomnia (current SOL < 30mins, ISI < 4, TST > 6.5 hrs)
  • At low risk for depression (e.g., no first degree relative with child onset, recurrent, psychotic or bipolar depression)

Exclusion Criteria for all Subjects:

  • History of serious medical or neurological illness
  • Signs of major medical or neurological illness on examination or as a result of laboratory studies
  • History of psychoactive substance and/or alcohol dependence or abuse in past 6-months.
  • Current use of any psychoactive medication or substance (with the exception of caffeine, as noted below, and the use of an SSRI in the depressed group), during the two weeks prior to the initial scan.
  • More than the caffeine-equivalent of 3 cups of coffee per day, or any regular (i.e., more than 1x/2 weeks) use of caffeine after 7pm.
  • Use of benzodiazepines or olanzapine in past 3-months.
  • Pregnant or nursing
  • Any implanted metal devise or metal fragments

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Case-Control
  • Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
1 Primary Insomnia
Individuals with insomnia not related to another identified cause.
3 Healthy comparison subjects
Healthy subjects with no history of insomnia

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Cortical GABA levels as measured by proton MRS
Time Frame: baseline
baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Ambulatory polysomnography
Time Frame: baseline
baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Collaborators

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Gerard Sanacora, M.D.,Ph.D., Yale University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

November 1, 2007

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 1, 2011

Study Completion (Actual)

June 1, 2011

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

October 1, 2008

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 2, 2008

First Posted (Estimate)

October 3, 2008

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

January 21, 2013

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 18, 2013

Last Verified

January 1, 2013

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 0707002830
  • ESRC 057

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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