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Cognitive Dysfunction and Inflammation in Depression: Experimental Inhibition Via Infliximab | Clinical Trials | Clareo Health

RECRUITINGPHASE2

Cognitive Dysfunction and Inflammation in Depression: Experimental Inhibition Via Infliximab

The Role of Inflammation in Cognitive Dysfunction in Acute Depression as Determined by Experimental Inhibition of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Signaling in a Randomized Controlled Trial.

NCT06136546•Massachusetts General Hospital

View on ClinicalTrials.gov

Summary

This study is a mechanistic randomized controlled trial that investigates whether inhibition of tumor necrosis factor signaling via intravenous infusion of infliximab improves psychomotor speed and executive functioning in depressed individuals who exhibit an inflammatory phenotype.

Detailed Description

In this mechanistic RCT, depressed adults who exhibit a pro-inflammatory phenotype (C reactive protein ≥3mg/L) will be randomized on a 1:1 allocation to receive a TNF inhibitor (infliximab) or placebo. Over a two-week follow-up, participants will remotely complete brief, daily assessments of depressive symptoms and psychomotor speed/executive functioning using a mobile-based platform (TestMyBrain) in addition to in-person clinician-rated assessment of depressive symptom severity (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale), anhedonia (Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale), and more comprehensive computerized batteries assessing cognitive function (TestMyBrain). Blood will be drawn at baseline and week 1 to assess immune biomarkers (C reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor- alpha and its soluble receptors). Specifically, the study will determine whether randomization to infliximab is associated with improvement in psychomotor speed and executive function.

Eligibility

Age

25 - 50 years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion Criteria

•1. Aged 25-50 years
•2. Able to read and understand English and willing to provide informed consent/comply with the study protocol
•3. Willingness to complete intravenous infusion and have blood drawn
•4. Exhibit circulating blood level of C reactive protein ≥ 3mg/L
•5. Diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder
•6. Moderate depressive symptom severity, as indicated by score ≥15 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
•7. Antidepressant treatment free for at least 4 weeks prior to study entry or be on a fixed treatment regimen for at least 4 weeks; willingness to continue treatment status (i.e., change/begin new treatment) until study termination
•8. Willingness not to begin/change therapies until study termination (maximum of three weeks following screening)
•9. Be of non-childbearing potential per the following specific criteria:
•a. Non-childbearing potential (e.g., physiologically incapable of becoming pregnant, i.e., permanently sterilized (status post hysterectomy, bilateral tubal ligation), or is post-menopausal with her last menses at least one year prior to screening); or b. Childbearing potential and meets the following criteria: i. A negative serum pregnancy test within thirty days of infusion (may be repeated closer to infusion date at the discretion of the PI or study staff) and abstinent after the negative serum pregnancy test and prior to infusion; or ii. Using any form of hormonal birth control, on hormone replacement therapy started prior to 12 months of amenorrhea, using an intrauterine device (IUD), having a monogamous relationship with a partner who has had a vasectomy, or is sexually abstinent; iii. Continuously use one of the following methods of birth control over the last six months: implants, injectable or patch hormonal contraception, oral contraceptives, IUD, double-barrier contraception, sexual abstinence.

Exclusion Criteria

•1. Medical conditions that could confound interpretation or increase participant risk, as indicated via medical history or laboratory testing; exclusionary medical conditions will include:
•i. acute injury/infection within one week of study initiation or infection within one month of study initiation that required antibiotic/antiviral treatment ii. chronic infection (e.g., hepatitis B or C or HIV) or history of Covid 19 infection within the past 6 months or with persisting symptoms.
•iii. latent infection (e.g., tuberculosis, fungal infections), or history of recurrent infections, iv. uncontrolled cardiovascular, endocrine, hematologic, hepatic, renal or neurologic disease (as determined by medical history, physical exam and laboratory testing) v. cancer history vi. autoimmune conditions; neurologic conditions (controlled) that are known to substantially impact cognitive function (e.g., stroke).
•Of note, stable medical conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, will be allowed in the study as they can contribute to endogenous inflammation.
•2. Active antipsychotic and anticonvulsant medication use (that interact with infliximab)
•3. Prior use of a TNF antagonist or use of systemic corticosteroids or anti-proliferative agents within one year of study entry
•4. History of liver abnormalities
•5. Major cognitive impairment as determined by study investigators
•6. Active restrictive eating disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder deemed by study investigators to be primary cause of depressive disorder
•7. History of a psychotic disorder or Bipolar disorder type I/II
+8 more criteria

Locations (1)

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Key Dates

Start Date

January 23, 2025

Primary Completion Date

August 31, 2028

Completion Date

January 31, 2029

Last Updated

May 7, 2025

Enrollment

100

ESTIMATED participants

Conditions

Depressive Disorder, MajorInflammation

Interventions

Infliximab

DRUG

Placebo

OTHER

Contacts

Naoise Mac Giollabhui, PhD

CONTACT

6177241000 nmacgiollabhui@mgh.harvard.edu

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Data Source & Attribution

This clinical trial information is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

ClinicalTrials.gov last update: May 7, 2025Data synced to Clareo: March 29, 2026

Modifications: This data has been reformatted for display purposes. Eligibility criteria have been parsed into inclusion/exclusion sections. Location data has been geocoded to enable distance-based search. For the authoritative and most current information, please visit ClinicalTrials.gov.

Neither the United States Government nor Clareo Health make any warranties regarding the data. Check ClinicalTrials.gov frequently for updates.

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Cognitive Dysfunction and Inflammation in Depression: Experimental Inhibition Via Infliximab

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

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