Depression (psychotic features) Dopamine Function and Cerebral Glucose Metabolism in Psychotic Depression

Contact name: Gwenn Smith, Ph.D.

Phone: (718)-470-8373

Fax: (718)-343-1659

Email: gsmith@lij.edu

Disorder: depression with psychotic features

Geographic location: New York

Other keywords: brain imaging, cortisol, depression with psychotic features

Participant compensation: $200

Time commitment required: two, three hour testing sessions (over 9 days)

Drug trial: Yes

Recruitment end date (approximate): 8/02/06

Study criteria (i.e., age or gender requirements):
Age 18-75, male or female and meets diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorders with psychotic features

Exclusion criteria:
No history of drug or alcohol dependence within the previous six months; Medically stable (not insulin dependent diabetic); No current or past (within the previous month) use of systemic or inhaled corticosteroids; Not be pregnant or nursing; No contraindications for MR imaging

Brief description of study:
Patients will undergo PET scanning and cognitive testing before and after mifepristone treatment. Mifepristone has been shown to be effective in the treatment of depression with psychotic features possibly because of the effect of the medication on the stress hormone cortisol.

Additional information: