Multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based Study of Electroconvulsive Efficacy Prediction in Adolescents With Depression: a Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study

The aim of this project is to investigate the multimodal magnetic resonance brain imaging changes in adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) before and after electroconvulsive therapy. Development of a predictive model for the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy in adolescent MDD.

This is a multicenter, prospective, observational study. We will divide the adolescent MDD patients into two groups according to the treatment modality as follows: Group 1 (Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy (MECT), n=60); Group 2 (Non-Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy (Non-MECT), n=60). Patients in group 1 will be treated with MECT according to standard clinical care. Group 2 will receive conventional drug therapy. A healthy control group (n=60) will also be recruited. The most modern MRI sequences examining brain structure and function are used at 4 time points: at baseline (just before MECT series), the second examination (just after MECT series) and the third and forth (follow-up) examination (3 and 6 months after MECT series). Blood, urine and feces samples and the evaluation of clinical effect and side-effects to MECT are performed at the same time points. The primary outcome for the treatment phase is the treatment remission rate and response rate. The secondary outcomes included: symptom scale, Quality of life, Sleep therapy, Symptoms of anxiety, Rumination and safety assessment.