Study on the Influence of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) on Homocysteine Levels

December 10, 2020 updated by: University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Medical School

Modulation of Homocysteine-Plasma Levels by ECT - Association With Clinical Response. A Pilot Study in Patients With Major Depression

Elevated homocysteine levels are associated with depression and cognitive impairment. When depression ameliorates due to treatment, homocysteine serum levels often normalize. Aim of the present study is to investigate, whether repeated ECT treatment leads to changes in homocysteine levels and if these changes are associated with the occurrence of cognitive impairment after ECS.

10 patients suffering from therapy-resistant depression shall be enrolled. Patients are treated with repeated ECT (three times the week). Before, directly after and one day after ECT treatment, blood samples are drawn and patients receive cognitive testing. Depressive symptomatology is checked with different rating scales.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

BACKGROUND:

Elevated homocysteine levels have been found in depressive disorders. The modulating effects of homocysteine on glutamatergic neurotransmission have been discussed to be an underlying cause of depression and can also lead to cognitive impairment and may facilitate seizures. Electroconvulsive therapy is the most effective treatment for depression, but often leads to cognitive impairments.

HYPOTHESIS:

Homocysteine levels normalize during rECT. This normalization is associated with the clinical improvement of depression. Short term changes in homocysteine levels (i.e. increase directly after ECT) may explain the cognitive impairments of the patients.

METHOD:

10 patients with therapy-resistant depressive disorder are to be enrolled into the trial. Patients are treated with rECT, two to three times a week. Blood withdrawal and psychometric analysis will be performed before, directly after and one day after ECT treatment 1,4,7,10,(13). Necessity of further treatment will be checked after the first 6 ECTs.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

10

Phase

  • Phase 4

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

  • Germany
      • Erlangen, Germany, 91054
        • Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Erlangen-Nuremberg

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

18 years to 80 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Key Inclusion Criteria:

  • Men and women aged 18 years or above
  • Diagnosis of major depressive disorder (according to DSM IV)
  • Secured therapy resistance (at least two trials with antidepressive medication of different classes for more then 4 weeks in adequate dosage)
  • Written, informed consent

Key Exclusion Criteria:

  • Major neurological or other diseases
  • Current medication with antiepileptic drugs
  • History of major head trauma
  • Any medical condition not allowing anesthesia

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

  • Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Homocysteine serum levels

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Cognitive functioning (e.g. concentration, memory tasks, etc.)
Depressive symptomatology
Measures of Seizure quality (duration, threshold, postictal suppression index, ...)

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Medical School

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Stefan Bleich, M.D., University Erlangen-Nuremberg
  • Study Director: Wolfgang Sperling, M.D., University of Erlangen-Nürnberg

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

August 1, 2006

Primary Completion (Actual)

August 1, 2007

Study Completion (Actual)

August 1, 2007

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 29, 2006

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 29, 2006

First Posted (Estimate)

August 30, 2006

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

December 14, 2020

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 10, 2020

Last Verified

December 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • ECT and Homocysteine
  • ECT
  • Homocystein

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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