Near-infrared Transcranial Laser Therapy in Subjects With Major Depressive Disorder: A Study of Dosing With Laser

The Near-infrared transcranial laser therapy (NIR-TLT) is a non-ionizing electromagnetic wave. The NIR-TLT is invisible, penetrates the skin and skull into brain tissue and is non-invasive. The benefits of NIR-TLT are wavelength specific. A mitochondrial enzyme, the Cytochrome c oxidase, is the primary chromophore for the NIR-TLT with a wavelength of around 830 nm. When this enzyme is activated, it leads to increased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and this event is related to the promotion of cellular plasticity and cytoprotection. These are critical cellular processes for recovery of the depressive patients. Therefore, this study will contribute to answer the question of whether NIR-TLT has an antidepressant effect and whether it is acceptable in minority population.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Major Depressive Disorder
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Near-infrared Transcranial Laser Therapy

Detailed Description

Study purpose: The main aim is to assess and compare the effect(s) of each of the four doses of the Near-infrared Transcranial Laser Therapy (NIR-TLT) on the symptomatology of depression: antidepressant effect, in subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD). Study design: This protocol is a multicentered, randomized, simulated, and double-blind clinical study. This work will randomize 112 subjects into 4 equal groups: bilateral continuous wave (BCW), bilateral pulsed wave (BPW 1-2) y SHAM. All subjects, investigators (except the study statistician), and outcomes assessors will be blind to group assignment. The device operator will be aware of group assignments. All subjects will receive 3 NIR-TLT treatments per week for 6 weeks. A follow-up evaluation will be performed 2 weeks after the end of the study. The treatment will follow these specifications: wavelength 830 nm; average irradiance 54,8 mW / cm2; average fluence of 65,8 J / cm2 (consistently with parameters used in the ELATED-2 study at MGH with the device Omnilux New U), being the total Fluency delivered: 3.6 kJ (bilateral) o 1.8 kJ (unilateral), either on the subject's forehead, at or near electroencephalography sites (EEG) F3 and F4. All NIR-TLT sessions will last 20 minutes, regardless of group assignment. Study population: Patients eligible for study participation will be diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) by DSM criteria. Subjects will be between 18-75 years of age (have not had 76st birthday) on the date of screening. Duration of participation: Subjects will be followed in the study for 8 weeks (a 6-week treatment period, plus 2 weeks of follow-up). The total duration of the study will be 24 months. Assessment criteria: The primary efficacy criteria is the improvement in depressive symptoms from each of the four doses of NIR-TLT. Assessed using HAMD-17, at 3 time points (visit 1, visit 9 and visit 18).

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 112
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Raúl Yepez Adrianzén, Dr.; Phone Number: +51 999962145; Email: r.yepez@pcr.pe
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Paula Cahuina Lope, Dr.; Phone Number: +51 923403150; Email: medicalaffairs@pcr.pe

Study Locations

• Peru
  • Lima, Peru, 15007
    • Recruiting
    • Hospital Nacional Hipólito Unanue
    • Contact: Martha Celis Llerena, Bach.; Phone Number: (+51) 997077107; Email: marjecelle@yahoo.com
    • Contact: Elizabeth Valdivia Márquez, Dr.; Phone Number: (+51) 979181614; Email: evaldiviamarquez@gmail.com
    • Principal Investigator: William Aguilar Rivera, Dr.

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects age at screening will be between 18 and 75 years old (inclusive).
2. Diagnosis of major depressive disorder (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, MINI)
3. QIDS-CR≥12 at screening
4. CGI-S ≥4 or higher, i.e., "moderately depressed"
5. Women of child-bearing potential must use a double-barrier method for birth control (e.g. condoms plus spermicide) if sexually active.
6. Subject Informed Consent obtained in writing in compliance with local regulations prior to enrollment into this study.
7. The subject is willing to participate in this study for at least 12 weeks.
8. Subjects will need to be on stable dose(s) of antidepressants (if taking any) for at least six weeks prior to enrollment.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Decrease in Symptoms of Depression Questionnaire (SDQ) self-report from screening to baseline >=30%, calculated as [(SDQ screening-88) - (SDQ initial-88) / (SDQ screening-88)] >=30/100. A score of 88 is "normal" in SDQ.
2. The subject is pregnant or lactating.
3. The subject failed more than 2 adequate treatments with FDA approved antidepressants during current episode per Antidepressant Treatment Response Questionnaire (ATRQ) criteria (less than 50% decrease in depressive symptomatology).
4. Structured psychotherapy focused on treating the subject's depression is permitted if started at least 8 weeks prior to the screening visit.
5. Substance dependence or abuse in the past 3 months.
6. History of a psychotic disorder or psychotic episode (current psychotic episode per MINI assessment).
7. Bipolar affective disorder (per MINI assessment).
8. Unstable medical illness, defined as any medical illness which is not well-controlled with standard-of-care medications (e.g., insulin for diabetes mellitus).
9. Active suicidal or homicidal ideation (both intention and plan are present), as determined by Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) screening.
10. The subject has a significant skin condition (i.e., hemangioma, scleroderma, psoriasis, rash, open wound or tattoo) on the subject's scalp that is found to be in proximity to any of the procedure sites.
11. The subject has an implant of any kind in the head (e.g. stent, clipped aneurysm, implantable shunt - Hakim valve).
12. Any use of light-activated drugs (photodynamic therapy) within 14 days prior to study enrollment (in US: Visudine (verteporfin) for age related macular degeneration; Aminolevulinic Acid- for actinic keratoses; Photofrin (porfimer sodium) - for esophageal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer; Levulan Kerastick (aminolevulinic acid HCl) - for actinic keratosis; 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)- for non-melanoma skin cancer)
13. Recent history of stroke (90 days).
14. The subject failed a device-based intervention FDA-approved for the treatment of depression, during the current episode (e.g. less than 50% decrease in depressive symptomatology with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation).
15. History of dementia, traumatic brain injury (TBI) or any other organic neurological disorder.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

4

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: BCW group; NIR-TLT dose: i. Treatment site(s): EEG F3 and F4 ii. Temporal format: continuous wave iii. Average radiance: 350 mW / cm2 iv. Exposure time: 429 sec. v. Total fluence delivered: 3.6 kJ (1.8 kJ per treatment location)	Device: Near-infrared Transcranial Laser Therapy; The treatment consists in exposing bilaterally the frontal brain to Transcranial Laser Therapy, which may enhance ATP production in depressed subjects.
Experimental: BPW-1 group; NIR-TLT dose: i. Treatment site(s): EEG F3 and F4 ii. Temporal format: pulsed wave, 10 Hz; 50% duty cycle iii. Average radiance: 350 mW / cm2 iv. Exposure time: 429 sec. v. Total fluence delivered: 3.6 kJ (1.8 kJ per treatment location)	Device: Near-infrared Transcranial Laser Therapy; The treatment consists in exposing bilaterally the frontal brain to Transcranial Laser Therapy, which may enhance ATP production in depressed subjects.
Experimental: BPW-2 group; NIR-TLT dose: i. Treatment site(s): EEG F3 and F4 ii. Temporal format: pulsed wave, 40-50 Hz; 50% duty cycle iii. Average radiance: 350 mW / cm2 iv. Exposure time: 429 sec. v. Total fluence delivered: 3.6 kJ (1.8 kJ per treatment location)	Device: Near-infrared Transcranial Laser Therapy; The treatment consists in exposing bilaterally the frontal brain to Transcranial Laser Therapy, which may enhance ATP production in depressed subjects.
Sham Comparator: SHAM group; NIR-TLT dose: i. Treatment site(s): none ii. Temporal format: none iii. Average radiance: 0 mW / cm2 iv. Exposure time: 429 sec. v. Total fluence delivered: 0 kJ	Device: Near-infrared Transcranial Laser Therapy; The treatment consists in exposing bilaterally the frontal brain to Transcranial Laser Therapy, which may enhance ATP production in depressed subjects.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Changes in the scores of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) from baseline to week 3 and week 6.	The antidepressant effects of NIR-TLT doses will be measured using the Hamilton Depression rating scale (HAM-D 17). The HAM-D 17 is a 17-item clinician rated instrument developed to quantify the severity of depression in subjects already diagnosed with this disorder. The rating of this tool will be determined in an interview with the psychiatrist, yielding a maximum score of 52. Higher scores represent greater severity of depression.	From baseline to week 3 and week 6.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Changes in the scores of the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Clinician Rated Scale (QIDS-CR) from baseline to week 3 and week 6.	The antidepressant effects of NIR-TLT doses will be measured using the QIDS-CR. This is a brief (16-item) clinician-rated inventory of core depressive symptoms such as sleep, depressed mood, appetite, concentration, suicidal ideation, interest, energy, psychomotor retardation, or agitation. The range score is 0 to 27. Higher scores represent greater severity of depression.	From baseline to week 3 and week 6.
Changes in the scores of the Clinical Global Impressions - Severity (CGI-S) from baseline to week 3 and week 6.	The antidepressant effects of NIR-TLT doses will be measured using the CGI-S. The CGI-S is one of the two components of the CGI test. This tool asks the clinician one question: "Considering your total clinical experience with this particular population, how mentally ill is the patient at this time?" which is rated on the following seven-point scale: 1=normal, not at all ill; 2=borderline mentally ill; 3=mildly ill; 4=moderately ill; 5=markedly ill; 6=severely ill; 7=among the most extremely ill patients.	From baseline to week 3 and week 6.
Changes of electroencephalogram (EEG) espectral power from baseline to week 3 and week 6.	To compare the effects of NIR-TLT doses on brain electrophysiology, changes in EEG spectral power in all spectral bands for each dose will be analyzed. The waves that will be considered are alpha, theta, and delta. For all of them, frequency and amplitude will be registered.	From baseline to week 3 and week 6.
Changes in the scores of the Systemic Assessment for Treatment Emergent Events (SAFTEE-SI) from baseline to week 3 and week 6.	To compare the safety and tolerability of NIR-TLT doses, mean changes in SAFTEE-SI scores will be analyzed. This is a questionnaire developed for psychiatric trials. The SAFTEE-SI allows ratings of five levels of severity and collects information about the onset, duration, pattern, judgment of attribution of cause, and action taken by the clinician when an Adverse Event happens. The range score is 0 to 128.	From baseline to week 3 and week 6.
Brain metabolism effect of NIR-TLT dose (exploratory assessment) from baseline to week 6.	The analysis of the results obtained in the PET will be for exploratory purposes to study the brain metabolism of the participants, before and at the end of the study intervention in the 4 groups. The cortical regions that will be analyzed are the prefrontal lateral and prefrontal medial regions (right and left for both).	From baseline to week 6.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Peruvian Clinical Research
• Collaborators: NeuroThera
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: William Aguilar Rivera, Dr., Hospital Nacional Hipólito Unanue; Principal Investigator: Beatrice Macciotta Felices, Dr., Clinica Vesalio

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Cassano P, Cusin C, Mischoulon D, Hamblin MR, De Taboada L, Pisoni A, Chang T, Yeung A, Ionescu DF, Petrie SR, Nierenberg AA, Fava M, Iosifescu DV. Near-Infrared Transcranial Radiation for Major Depressive Disorder: Proof of Concept Study. Psychiatry J. 2015;2015:352979. doi: 10.1155/2015/352979. Epub 2015 Aug 19.
• Cassano P, Petrie SR, Mischoulon D, Cusin C, Katnani H, Yeung A, De Taboada L, Archibald A, Bui E, Baer L, Chang T, Chen J, Pedrelli P, Fisher L, Farabaugh A, Hamblin MR, Alpert JE, Fava M, Iosifescu DV. Transcranial Photobiomodulation for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder. The ELATED-2 Pilot Trial. Photomed Laser Surg. 2018 Dec;36(12):634-646. doi: 10.1089/pho.2018.4490. Epub 2018 Oct 20.
• Caldieraro MA, Cassano P. Transcranial and systemic photobiomodulation for major depressive disorder: A systematic review of efficacy, tolerability and biological mechanisms. J Affect Disord. 2019 Jan 15;243:262-273. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.09.048. Epub 2018 Sep 17. Review.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): July 1, 2024
• Study Completion (Anticipated): July 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 8, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 23, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): June 28, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 28, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 26, 2022
• Last Verified: September 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Clinical trial; Major depressive Disorder; Near-infrared transcranial laser therapy; Hamilton Depression rating scale
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavioral Symptoms; Mental Disorders; Pathologic Processes; Mood Disorders; Depression; Depressive Disorder; Disease; Depressive Disorder, Major
• Other Study ID Numbers: NITLT01

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No
• IPD Plan Description: After the completion of the study, the researchers will decide if IPDs can be shared. The data will first be sent to the regulatory institutions involved.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: Yes
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: Yes