Cytokine-Induced Transcription in Depressed Inpatients Undergoing Psychotherapy
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Enrollment
- 63
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in depression
Study Overview
Brief Summary
The goal of this observational study is to measure the levels of cytokine-induced transcription factor activation in a cohort of depressed inpatients undergoing psychotherapy. The study aims to answer the following main questions:
- Do psychological traits (i.e.: social inhibition, negative affectivity, ...) affect the activation of immunomodulatory transcription factors (STAT3, NFkB) in depressed patients?
- Are subjects with these psychological traits affected differently by psychotherapeutic intervention?
Study subjects are assessed for their psychological and behavioral traits and receive psychotherapeutic care over several weeks during hospital treatment. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells are isolated from the study subjects, and activation of transcription factors is measured by flow cytometry.
Detailed Description
Study subjects are assessed for their psychological and behavioral traits and receive psychotherapeutic care over several weeks during hospital treatment. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells are isolated from the study subjects, and activation of transcription factors is measured by flow cytometry.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Observational
- Observational Model
- Cohort
- Time Perspective
- Prospective
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Diagnosis of current depression
Exclusion Criteria
- •inadequate knowledge of the German language
- •unable to give informed consent
- •severe psychiatric comorbidities, such as drug abuse and psychotic diseases
- •deemed critically unstable by their treating physician
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in depression
Time Frame: 6 weeks
Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS). The HADS instrument is a 14-item scale, with seven items relating to anxiety and seven relating to depression item. Each item on qestionnaire is scored from 0-3 resulting in a score between 0 and 21 for either anxiety or depression with higher scores meaning a worse outcome.
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported
Investigators
Prof. Thomas Meyer
Clinical Professor, Head of the Molecular Psychocardiology laboratory
University Medical Center Goettingen