The Neurobiology of Approach Avoidance Training in Depression
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Depression, Depression, Major Depression Disorder (MDD) |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology, Pulmonary / Respiratory Diseases |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 55 |
| Updated: | 9/2/2017 |
| Start Date: | July 2014 |
| End Date: | July 2017 |
The purpose of this study is to test the effects of a computerized approach/avoidance
training (AAT) procedure on behavioral, affective, and brain mechanisms that are important
for reward sensitivity and well-being in individuals diagnosed with major depression. The
training procedure is designed to modify automatic approach responses for positive social
stimuli. The primary aim is to determine the effects of approach/avoidance training on the
functioning of brain systems during reward processing in individuals diagnosed with major
depression. A secondary aim will determine whether brain activation patterns following
approach/avoidance training predict subsequent affective and behavioral responses during
reward processing. An exploratory aim will test whether completing the approach/avoidance
training procedure in combination with a brief computer-delivered behavioral activation
program for depression will produce larger changes in depression symptoms, positive emotions,
and social relationship functioning from pre- to post-intervention compared to the control
training procedure.
training (AAT) procedure on behavioral, affective, and brain mechanisms that are important
for reward sensitivity and well-being in individuals diagnosed with major depression. The
training procedure is designed to modify automatic approach responses for positive social
stimuli. The primary aim is to determine the effects of approach/avoidance training on the
functioning of brain systems during reward processing in individuals diagnosed with major
depression. A secondary aim will determine whether brain activation patterns following
approach/avoidance training predict subsequent affective and behavioral responses during
reward processing. An exploratory aim will test whether completing the approach/avoidance
training procedure in combination with a brief computer-delivered behavioral activation
program for depression will produce larger changes in depression symptoms, positive emotions,
and social relationship functioning from pre- to post-intervention compared to the control
training procedure.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Ages 18-55
- Principal psychiatric diagnosis of major depressive disorder
- Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 item score ≥ 10
- Ability to read and speak English sufficiently to complete study procedures
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of psychosis, mania, or substance dependence
- Current severe medical disorder that requires inpatient treatment or frequent medical
follow ups including but not limited to: unstable hypertension, unstable angina,
unstable diabetes mellitus, unstable cardiac arrhythmias, transient ischemic attacks,
sever coronary artery disease, sever peripheral vascular disease, severe
hepato-gastro-intestinal disease, severe infectious disease (e.g. HIV), recurrent
severe headache or migraine, fainting spells, seizures, and history of traumatic brain
injury with loss of consciousness > 30 minutes
- Current use of the following medications: antidepressants, benxodiazepines,
antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, or other drugs that can acutely affect the
hemodynamic response (methylphenidate and acetazolamide)
- Caffeine intake > 10 cups/day or recent significant changes in consumption
- MRI exclusions, including claustrophobia, cardiac pacemaker, metal fragments in
eyes/skin/body (shrapnel), aortic/aneurysm clips, prosthesis, by-pass surgery/coronary
artery clips, hearing aid, heart valve replacement, shunt (ventricular or spinal),
electrodes, metal plates/pins/screws/wires, or neuro/bio-stimulators (TENS unit),
persons who have ever been a metal worker/welder, history of eye surgery/eyes washed
out because of metal, women who are or may be pregnant (determined by a positive
pregnancy test), women using an intrauterine device, vision problems uncorrectable
with lenses, inability to lie still on one's back for 60 minutes; prior neurosurgery;
older tattoos with metal dyes; unwillingness to remove nose, ear, tongue or face
rings.
- Concurrent psychosocial treatment: Participants completing ongoing psychosocial
treatment will be required to meet a 12-week stability criteria so that symptom
changes as a result of other psychosocial treatments are not confounded with changes
due to the research.
- Inability to complete the initial assessment battery or behavioral training sessions.
- Clinical conditions assessed by the interviewer that necessitate more imminent
clinical care (e.g., active suicidal ideation). These criteria are in place so
participants with these other, more several symptoms can be referred for appropriate
mental health services.
We found this trial at
1
site
San Diego, California 92037
Principal Investigator: Charles T Taylor, PhD
Phone: 858-534-9446
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