Pain, Reward, Attention and Neurocircuitry: Biomarkers of Suicidality

Summary

The ultimate aim of this study is to identify a biomarker of suicide risk in MDD by measuring the "hedonic spectrum" (pain and reward responsivity), attention and its associated brain structures using brain scans (fMRI and DTI), as well as the stability of markers over time.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. DSM-5 criteria for Major Depressive Episode within a MDD, confirmed through MINI diagnosis104
2. Ages between 18 and 70 years
3. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale - 17 item (HAMD-17) \>= 14
4. Capable of giving informed consent
5. Groups 1 and 2 participants only: HAMD-17 item 3 (suicide) \>= 2
6. Group 2 participants only: positive history of a suicide attempt within the last six months
7. Group 3 participants only: positive history of a lifetime suicide attempt

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnancy/lactation
2. Medical condition requiring immediate investigation or treatment
3. Recent (\< 6 months)/current history of drug abuse/dependence (other than caffeine, or nicotine)
4. Lifetime history of psychosis, Bipolar I or Bipolar II; other Axis I comorbidities are allowable
5. Individuals who are taking a daily sedative hypnotic, atypical antipsychotic or stimulant must be on a stable dose for at least 4 weeks prior to the neuroimaging scan. The dose must not be taken after 10:00pm the evening prior to the scan. Those receiving a benzodiazepine or an atypical antipsychotic on an "as needed" basis (taken, but not every day) will be washed out of their benzodiazepine/atypical antipsychotic for two weeks prior to neuroimaging. Those receive stimulants on an "as needed" basis will be washed out for 1-3 days prior to neuroimaging, depending on the stimulant half-life.
6. Participation in experimental treatment trials for the study duration.

Conditions4

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