Effect of SSRIs on Response to Psilocybin Therapy

Evaluating the Effect of Length of Time on Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) on the Response to Psilocybin-assisted Therapy in Individuals With Mild-moderate Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

This study is an open-label, single-arm, within-subjects design in individuals with mild-moderate Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). All participants will receive a single dose of 25mg of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting. In order to investigate the effects of length of time on SSRI therapy, 30 participants with varying lengths of time on SSRI therapy will be enrolled, stratified into four groups:

• Group 1: ≤ 1 year
• Group 2: 1 to ≤ 5 years
• Group 3: 5 to ≤ 10 years
• Group 4: > 10 years

Study Overview

• Status: Withdrawn
• Conditions: Depressive Disorder; Depression; Major Depressive Disorder; Moderate Depression; Mild Depression
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Psilocybin

Detailed Description

The majority of clinical investigations with psilocybin to date either exclude participants on SSRIs or taper them off SSRIs prior to psilocybin administration. While evidence derived from the use of larger doses of psilocybin suggests that its predominately serotonergic effects are safe when administered in controlled settings, research investigating the effects of psilocybin with individuals taking SSRIs is lacking, despite the prevalent and chronic use of SSRIs in individuals with depression.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of length of time on SSRIs on psilocybin-assisted therapy response in individuals with MDD. Specifically, this feasibility study investigates participants who undergo a single-dose of psilocybin (25mg) in combination with pre- and post-dose therapy sessions. The follow-up period in the present study is 12 weeks (3 months).

• Study Type: Interventional
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Canada
  • British Columbia
    • Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, V2T 2X5
      • Centre for Neurology Studies x Upstream

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 19 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female, 19 to 65 years of age
2. Fluent in English
3. Currently receiving treatment with an SSRI (consistent dose for at least 6 weeks), with no changes anticipated throughout the duration of the study
4. QIDS-SR-16 score ≥6
5. Clinically diagnosed Major Depressive Disorder by a psychiatrist prior to screening 5a. Diagnosis defined as meeting the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) criteria (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) for MDD
6. MADRS score 7-34 inclusive (mild-moderate)
7. Be medically stable as determined by screening for medical problems via a personal interview, a medical questionnaire, a physical examination, an electrocardiogram (ECG), and routine medical blood and urinalysis laboratory tests
8. Concurrent psychotherapy is allowed if the type and frequency of the therapy has been stable for at least two months prior to screening and is expected to remain stable during participation in the study.
9. Agree to consume approximately the same amount of caffeine-containing beverage (e.g., coffee, tea) that he/she consumes on a usual morning, before arriving at the research unit on the mornings of the drug session day. If the participant does not routinely consume caffeinated beverages, he/she must agree not to do so on session days.
10. Agree that for one week before the drug session, he/she will refrain from taking any nonprescription medication, nutritional supplement, or herbal supplement (specifically SAM-e, 5-HTP, L-tryptophan, St John's Wort) except when approved by the study Investigator. Exceptions will be evaluated by the Investigator and may include acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and common doses of vitamins and minerals.
11. Agree to refrain from consuming alcohol within two days prior to drug administration.
12. Agree not to take any "as needed" medications on the morning of the drug session.
13. Agree to use of highly effective methods of contraception during the study (females)
14. Normal body mass index (BMI 18.5-24.9)
15. Own an Android or iOS device compatible with the fitness tracker software (Apple iOS 13 or higher, Android OS 7.0 or higher)
16. Able to have a friend or family member pick them up after the dosing session
17. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) above 40 mL/min/1.73m2 and all other blood-work values Within Normal Limits

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Current or past history of schizophrenia, psychotic disorder (unless substance induced or due to a medical condition), bipolar disorder, delusional disorder, dissociative disorder, paranoid personality disorder, schizoaffective disorder, borderline personality disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or substance abuse, as assessed by medical history
2. Currently diagnosed psychotic disorder in first-degree relatives, not including psychotic disorders secondary to an apparent medical reason, e.g. brain injury, dementia, or lesions of the brain, as assessed by medical history.
3. History of seizures
4. Uncontrolled diabetes, insulin-dependent diabetes, or history of hypoglycemia on oral hypoglycemic agent(s)
5. Paraneoplastic syndrome
6. History of traumatic brain injury within the last 2 years
7. Significantly intrusive PTSD as determined by the Investigator
8. Significant suicide risk as defined by C-SSRS within the past two years
9. Any other clinically significant cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, vascular or any other major concurrent illness that, in the opinion of the Investigator, may interfere with the interpretation of the study results or constitute a health risk for the participant if he/she takes part in the study
10. Cardiovascular conditions: coronary artery disease, stroke, angina, uncontrolled hypertension, a clinically significant ECG abnormality (e.g., atrial fibrillation), prolonged QTc interval (i.e., QTc > 450msec), artificial heart valve, or TIA in the past year
11. Psychoactive substance use within the previous two months. 11a. The following criteria are preferred: lifetime total psychoactive substance use less than 10 times.
12. Pregnant, nursing or breastfeeding women. Females of childbearing potential must be on a highly effective or double barrier method of contraception, or abstinent.
13. Participation in another clinical trial (currently or within the last 30 days)
14. Current use of rifamycins (rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine), anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital), nevirapine, efavirenz, taxol, dexamethasone); cytochrome P450 Inhibitors - including all HIV protease inhibitors, verapamil, diltiazem, itraconazole, ketoconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, and troleandomycin; ergot alkaloids, pimozide, midazolam, triazolam, lovastatin, simvastatin, fentanyl, warfarin, metoprolol, propranolol, buspirone, tramadol, selegiline, sumatriptan.
15. Current use of inhibitors of UGT1A9 and 1A10, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), Tricyclic antidepressants, aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors (ALDHs) and alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitors (ADHs).
16. Use of steroids within the past two weeks.
17. Resting blood pressure >140 mmHg systolic and >90 mmHg diastolic at screening

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: PEX010; 25mg of PEX010 (one-time administration)	Drug: Psilocybin; 25mg of psilocybin provided by Filament Health; Other Names: PEX010

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR-16)	The QIDS-SR16 is a 16-item self-reported rating scale designed to assess severity of depressive symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating greater depression.	Baseline to end of study (week 12)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
QIDS-SR-16 response	Defined as a reduction in score of >50%. The QIDS-SR16 is a 16-item self-reported rating scale designed to assess severity of depressive symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating greater depression.	Baseline to end of study (week 12)
QIDS-SR-16 remission	Defined as a score of ≤5. The QIDS-SR16 is a 16-item self-reported rating scale designed to assess severity of depressive symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating greater depression.	Baseline to end of study (week 12)
Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)	A clinician-rated interview to assess the severity of depression. Each item has a severity scale from 0 to 6, with higher scores reflecting more severe symptoms. Ratings can be added to form an overall score (from 0 to 60).	Baseline to end of study (week 12)
Number of adverse-events (AEs)	Number of reported AEs	Baseline to end of study (week 12)
Number of serious adverse events (SAEs)	Number of reported SAEs	Baseline to end of study (week 12)
Recruitment rate	Recruitment feasibility will be defined as a minimum recruitment rate of 70% of our target of 30 individuals within 6 months.	6 months
Retention	Retention feasibility will be defined as a retention rate of 90% at study completion	Through study completion, an average of 6 months

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Electroencephalography (EEG) - Response size of select ERPs (N100, P300, N400)	The NeuroCatch® Platform is an objective, rapid neuro-physiological brain function assessment system, licensed by Health Canada as a Class II medical device. The platform provides acquisition, display, analysis, storage, reporting, and management of EEG and event related potential (ERP) information. Response size will be measured as amplitude in microvolts.	Baseline to end of study (week 12)
Electroencephalography (EEG) - Response timing of select ERPs (N100, P300, N400)	The NeuroCatch® Platform is an objective, rapid neuro-physiological brain function assessment system, licensed by Health Canada as a Class II medical device. The platform provides acquisition, display, analysis, storage, reporting, and management of EEG and event related potential (ERP) information. Response timing will be measured as latency in milliseconds.	Baseline to end of study (week 12)
Heart rate variability	Measured by the WHOOP fitness tracker device	1 month (week -2 to week +2)
Sleep disturbances	Measured by the WHOOP fitness tracker device	1 month (week -2 to week +2)
Time in bed	Measured by the WHOOP fitness tracker device	1 month (week -2 to week +2)
Respiratory rate	Measured by the WHOOP fitness tracker device	1 month (week -2 to week +2)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Cybin Therapeutics Inc.
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Reginald Peters, MD, Upstream

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 14, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): March 14, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 19, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 25, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): October 26, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 6, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 4, 2023
• Last Verified: July 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Psilocybin
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavioral Symptoms; Mental Disorders; Mood Disorders; Depression; Depressive Disorder; Depressive Disorder, Major; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Psychotropic Drugs; Hallucinogens; Psilocybin
• Other Study ID Numbers: Cybin-001-Depression

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No