Can a common drug stop the spiral of negative thoughts in depression?

NCT ID NCT06937476

First seen Dec 18, 2025 · Last updated May 11, 2026 · Updated 22 times

Summary

This study tests whether adding aripiprazole to a standard antidepressant (escitalopram) can reduce repetitive, intrusive negative thinking (rumination) in people with major depression. About 108 adults with depression and high rumination will receive either escitalopram alone or escitalopram plus low-dose aripiprazole for 8 weeks. The study also uses brain scans to understand how the drugs affect dopamine receptors linked to rumination.

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University

    Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China

Conditions

Explore the condition pages connected to this study.