Neural Response to Inflammatory Challenge in Major Depressive Disorder

Neural Response to Inflammatory Challenge in Major Depressive Disorder (NCT04751331) is a Phase 1 / Phase 2 interventional studying Major Depressive Disorder, sponsored by Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Inc.. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

About This Trial

This is a parallel group, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Participants with MDD (n=90) and HC (n=90) will be randomly assigned (2:1) to receive either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (0.8ng/kg of body weight) or placebo (same volume of 0.9% saline) administered as an intravenous bolus. This will yield the following groups: MDD-LPS (n=60), MDD-Placebo (n=30), HC-LPS (n=60), HC-placebo (n=30). There are three main aims: to identify immune pathways and neural circuits that respond differently to LPS in MDD vs. HC subjects; (2) to test whether the strength of inflammatory changes induced by LPS is associated with degree of change in anhedonic symptoms and neural circuits in the MDD group, and (3) to identify a biotype of MDD that shows a differential immunological and neurophysiological response to LPS. The main outcome variables are symptoms of anhedonia measured with the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS), cytokines (Il-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF), and BOLD signal change in the neural circuitry mediating interoceptive processing, i.e. the insula and cingulate cortex. The exploratory aim is to determine whether the acute inflammatory response to LPS can predict the clinical course of depression over a period of six months. The main outcome of this component of the study is self-reported depressive symptoms assessed with the QIDS-SR.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 1 trials test a new treatment for the first time in humans, focusing on safety, dosing, and how the body processes the drug. For Major Depressive Disorder, a Phase 1 study typically enrolls a small number of participants — often healthy volunteers or patients who have exhausted standard treatment options. Phase 1 results determine whether a treatment moves into larger Phase 2 efficacy studies.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

Target enrollment of 180 participants puts this in the typical range for a Phase 2-style efficacy study or a moderate Phase 3 trial in a focused Major Depressive Disorder subpopulation. At this scale, the study has enough statistical power to detect a clear treatment effect but is not the largest cohort in the field.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: Both healthy controls and depressed participants will be required to be in good general health (as evaluated during Visit 1, including EKG) and to be 18-65 years of age. A DSM-V diagnosis of MDD will be made with the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview and current symptoms of depression will be measured with the clinician-administered MADRS and the self-report PHQ-9. Depressed participants will be required to have symptoms of depression (i.e. a PHQ-9 score ≥10) and/or a MADRS score of ≥7. Who Should NOT Join This Trial: General Who Should NOT Join This Trial: - Pregnancy - A history of fainting during blood draws will be evaluated by the clinical team and may be deemed exclusionary. Medical Conditions: - Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (\>30 min. loss of consciousness or \>24 hours posttraumatic amnesia) or other neurocognitive disorder with evidence of neurological deficits. - Presence of co-morbid medical conditions not limited to but including cardiovascular (e.g., history of acute coronary event, stroke) and neurological diseases (e.g., Parkinson's disease), as well as pain disorders. - Presence of co-morbid inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune disorders. - Presence of an uncontrolled medical condition that is deemed by the investigators to interfere with the proposed study procedures, or to put the study participant at undue risk. - Presence of chronic infection that may elevate pro-inflammatory cytokines. - Presence of an acute infectious illness or receipt of a vaccination in the two weeks prior to an experimental session. Psychiatric Disorders: - Current severe suicidal ideation or attempt within the past 12 months. - Psychosis - Bipolar disorder - Substance abuse or dependence within the previous 6 months Contraindications for MRI: ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language

Inclusion Criteria: Both healthy controls and depressed participants will be required to be in good general health (as evaluated during Visit 1, including EKG) and to be 18-65 years of age. A DSM-V diagnosis of MDD will be made with the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview and current symptoms of depression will be measured with the clinician-administered MADRS and the self-report PHQ-9. Depressed participants will be required to have symptoms of depression (i.e. a PHQ-9 score ≥10) and/or a MADRS score of ≥7. Exclusion Criteria: General Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy * A history of fainting during blood draws will be evaluated by the clinical team and may be deemed exclusionary. Medical Conditions: * Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (\>30 min. loss of consciousness or \>24 hours posttraumatic amnesia) or other neurocognitive disorder with evidence of neurological deficits. * Presence of co-morbid medical conditions not limited to but including cardiovascular (e.g., history of acute coronary event, stroke) and neurological diseases (e.g., Parkinson's disease), as well as pain disorders. * Presence of co-morbid inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune disorders. * Presence of an uncontrolled medical condition that is deemed by the investigators to interfere with the proposed study procedures, or to put the study participant at undue risk. * Presence of chronic infection that may elevate pro-inflammatory cytokines. * Presence of an acute infectious illness or receipt of a vaccination in the two weeks prior to an experimental session. Psychiatric Disorders: * Current severe suicidal ideation or attempt within the past 12 months. * Psychosis * Bipolar disorder * Substance abuse or dependence within the previous 6 months Contraindications for MRI: * 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 professional metal worker/welder, history of eye surgery/eyes washed out because of metal, vision problems uncorrectable with lenses, inability to lie still on one's back for 60 minutes; prior neurosurgery; tattoos or cosmetic makeup with metal dyes, unwillingness to remove body piercings, and pregnancy. * Claustrophobia that is severe enough to preclude MRI scanning. Medications: * Current and/or past regular use of hormone-containing medications (excluding contraceptives) * Use of medications such as oral corticosteroids which may have immunosuppressive effects. * Current use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs that is deemed by the investigators to potentially confound the results of the study (e.g. \> 3 days/week) * Current and/or past regular use of immune modifying drugs that target specific immune responses such as TNF antagonists * Current use of analgesics such as opioids or history of addiction to opioids or other analgesics * Current and/or past regular use of cardiovascular medications, including antihypertensive, antiarrhythmic, anti-anginal, and anticoagulant drugs (does not apply where medications are taken for different purpose e.g. anti-hypertensives for migraine). * Chronic use of antibiotics such as isotretinoin or minocycline because of their potential effects on the microbiome and immune function. * Evidence of recreational drug use from urine test. * Lifetime use of methamphetamine * Inclusion of individuals reporting other types of medications or supplements not listed or considered thus far will be at the discretion of the PI based on their potential to affect immune function, the microbiome, brain function or brain blood flow. Health Factors: * BMI \> 35 because of the effects of obesity on pro-inflammatory cytokine activity * Clinically significant abnormalities on screening laboratory tests * Abnormal EKG * In addition, participants who on arrival to the study, show any of the following symptoms will not be allowed to complete the study: 1. screening supine systolic blood pressure \>140 mmHg or \<100 mmHg 2. screening supine diastolic blood pressure \>90 mmHg or \<60 mmHg 3. 12-lead EKG demonstrating a PR interval \> 0.2 msec QTc \>450 or QRS \>120 msec (Bazett) If the QTc exceeds 450 msec, or QRS exceeds 120 msec, the EKG will be repeated 2 more times and the median value will be used 4. pulse less than 50 beats/minute or greater than 100 beats/minute 5. temperature greater than 99.5 degrees F. Non-English speaking participants: * The majority of the assessments proposed for this study have not been translated from English, thus, non-English speaking volunteers will be excluded.

Treatments Being Tested

BIOLOGICAL

LPS

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (0.8ng/kg of body weight; E. coli group O:113)

BIOLOGICAL

Saline

0.9% saline administered as an intravenous bolus

Locations (1)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

Laureate Institute for Brain Research

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT04751331), the sponsor (Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Inc.), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT04751331 clinical trial studying?

Who can participate in NCT04751331?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT04751331?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT04751331. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT04751331. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-06-07 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.