Recruiting

Neurofeedback to Treat Depression - 2

This study tests the efficacy of a new psychotherapeutic strategy for reducing negative attention bias (and therefore depression severity) in participants with MDD. This real-time fMRI neurofeedback therapy uses cloud-based pattern classification to decode a patient's attentional state and dynamically modulate task stimuli (in a closed loop) based on this state.

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ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT07159061

PhaseNA

Enrollment80

SponsorUniversity of Pennsylvania

Age18 Years – 65 Years

SexALL

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Conditions studied

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

About this study

Interventions

Behavioral: Active Closed Loop Real Time fMRI Neurofeedback — Active neurofeedback to target neural mechanisms underlying attentional bias in participants with major depressive discover (MDD)
Behavioral: Sham Closed Loop Real Time fMRI Neurofeedback — Sham (placebo) neurofeedback to target neural mechanisms underlying attentional bias in participants with major depressive discover (MDD)

Primary outcomes

Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) (3 months)

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: * Gender, inclusive * Adult aged 18 - 65 * Meets Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria for MDD according to the Clinician-Administered MDD Scale for DSM-5 (unipolar depression or bipolar II depressed) * Scores at least a minimum score of 16 on Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) * Normal cognition * Participants must be able to read and understand English * Participants must be able to provide consent Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy (female participants) * Outside age range * MRI contraindications (medical implant, claustrophobia, etc.) * Use of psychoactive medication (including antidepressants) or currently in therapy * Neurological disorder or any condition that in the view of the PI could impact brain data, cause depression, require medication that could cause depressive symptoms, or otherwise result in participant being unfit for study (for example, co-morbid psychotic, neurological disorders, developmentally or cognitively disabled/impaired, active alcohol or drug abuse/dependence within the past 6 months). * Non-English speaking * Non-correctable vision loss * Refusal to provide informed consent * representing an active suicide risk

Study locations

Center for Neuromodulation in Depression and Stress, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 United States

Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-11-09.