Mindfulness-Based fMRI Neurofeedback for Depression
Targeting Adolescent Depression Symptoms Using Network-based Real-time fMRI Neurofeedback and Mindfulness Meditation (NIMH); Mindfulness-Based Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback for Depression (IRB)
Who can join
As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.
- Age
- 13 Years to 18 Years
- Sex
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Compensation
- Not stated
Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.
What to expect
No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.
What participation involves
- Procedures mentioned: MRI scans
Only what the study's summary and detailed description on ClinicalTrials.gov say. Time periods may describe the whole study or a part of it — ask the study team what applies to you.
Show the study's own words
- "Adolescents (N=90; ages 13-18 years) diagnosed with MDD will complete a \~45-minute mindfulness training outside the MRI scanner."
- Compensation
- Not stated
- Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
- Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
- Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
- Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.
About this study
In the United States, adolescents experience alarmingly high rates of major depression, and gold-standard treatments are only effective for approximately half of patients. Rumination may be a promising treatment target, as it is well-characterized at the neural level and contributes to depression onset, maintenance, and recurrence as well as predicts treatment non-response. Accordingly, the proposed research will investigate whether an innovative mindfulness-based real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) neurofeedback intervention successfully elicits change in the brain circuit underlying rumination to improve clinical outcomes among depressed adolescents.
Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.
Eligibility
Official eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Ages 13-18 years-old * Written informed assent/consent and parental/guardian permission for 13-17 year-olds or informed consent for 18 year-olds * Tanner puberty stage ≥3 * Meets current diagnostic criteria for MDD * English fluency Exclusion Criteria: * Lifetime history of primary psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, developmental disorder (e.g., autism), post-traumatic stress disorder, or eating disorders * Substance use disorder, moderate or severe in past 6 months * Active suicidal ideation with a specific plan * History of seizure disorder * Medical or neurological illness (e.g., severe head injury) * MRI contraindications * Current psychotropic medication use other than antidepressant medication * Intelligence quotient (IQ) \<80.
Study sites (2)
MA
- Northeastern University · Boston, MA 02115Susan Whitfield-Gabrieli, PhD · Study contact · s.whitfield-gabrieli@northeastern.eduSusan Whitfield-Gabrieli, PhD · Principal investigatorMore trials in Boston
NY
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center · New York, NY 10032Randy P Auerbach, PhD · Study contact · 646-774-5745 · rpa2009@cumc.columbia.eduRandy P Auerbach · Study contactRandy Auerbach, PhD · Principal investigatorMore trials in New York