Could a blood test spot teen suicide risk?
NCT ID NCT05437588
First seen Jul 13, 2026 · Last updated Jul 14, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study investigates whether tiny particles called exosomes, released by brain cells and found in the blood, can serve as biomarkers for depression and suicide risk in adolescents. Researchers will analyze genetic material from these exosomes in 240 teenagers, including those with depression, suicidal thoughts, or a recent suicide attempt, as well as healthy volunteers. The goal is to better understand the biological links between depression and suicide, which could eventually lead to better screening and treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a simple blood test that helps doctors identify teenagers at risk for suicide, enabling earlier intervention.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. The biomarkers may not prove reliable enough for clinical use, and results may take years to translate into practice.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 240 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Oct 2022
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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10 to 24 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: All participants: 1. Physically healthy 2. willing and able to provide informed consent (if under 18 also parent or guardian consent) MDD participants: 1. A definite diagnosis of DSM-5 2. a Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R) score \>=30. Suicidal ideation participants: Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) score \>=4 rated over the last two weeks. Suicide attempt group: 1\. Participants will have had an attempt in the previous two weeks that is serious enough to require medical attention and shows evidence of at least a medium level of intent on the Suicide Intent Scale. Non-psychiatric controls: 1\. No history of any major mental illness (excluding specific phobia) or substance use disorder. Exclusion Criteria: * Exclusion criteria: 1. Pregnancy or lactation 2. post-partum state (being within 2 months of delivery or miscarriage); 3. homicide risk as determined by clinical interview 4. any of the following DSM-V diagnoses or categories: a) a lifetime history of psychotic disorder; b) alcohol or drug use disorder (except nicotine/caffeine) within the last month; the use of any hallucinogen (except cannabis), including phencyclidine in the last month; c) bipolar disorder; d) pervasive developmental disorder; e) cognitive disorder; f) DSM-5 paranoid, schizoid, or schizotypal personality disorders (PDs) (participants with other PDs will be allowed as long as MDD criteria are met); g) anorexia nervosa. 5. recent myocardial infarction or unstable angina, active neoplasm in the past 6 months, immunosuppressive or corticosteroid therapy within the last month, chemotherapy, and head injury or loss of consciousness in the past 6 months 6. use of hallucinogens (except for cannabis), methamphetamine, or cocaine in the last 2 weeks.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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The places running it
2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
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Contacts and locations
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Locations
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UAB Huntsville Regional Medical Campus
RECRUITINGHuntsville, Alabama, 35294, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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University of Alabama at Birmingham
RECRUITINGBirmingham, Alabama, 35233, United States
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