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Can brain activity reveal why some people with depression lose motivation and pleasure?

NCT ID NCT06080646

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

What the study statuses mean

This study's is highlighted.

Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed This study
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
The full record has not been published yet, so there is little to show here.
Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Sep 08, 2026 · Last updated Sep 09, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This observational study examines how the brain processes rewards in people with major depressive disorder compared to those without. Using MRI and EEG, researchers measure brain responses during reward anticipation and feedback. The goal is to identify distinct neural patterns, or biotypes, that may relate to specific symptoms, suicide risk, and how well someone responds to treatment. Participants are adults aged 18 to 70, and the study requires in-person visits for brain imaging.

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 this study succeeds, it could help identify brain-based markers that predict which depression treatments work best and who is at higher risk for suicide, leading to more personalized care.
What could go wrong
This is an observational study, so it cannot prove cause and effect. The findings may not apply to all people with depression, and more research will be needed before any clinical use.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Participants

158 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Jun 2021

Finished

Sep 2025

Lead sponsor

A government agency

The lead sponsor is a US federal agency other than the NIH.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Who is studied

Individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (age range 18 - 70)

Ages

18 to 70 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show 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.

* Our studies require some in-person visits to our research lab, located at 42nd Ave and Clement St in San Francisco. * Because this study includes an MRI, part of the screening process will be to ensure you don't have any metal in your body, you do not have head or neck tattoos, and you are comfortable inside the MRI scanner. Inclusion Criteria: * 18-70 years with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) for MDD group, or without for unaffected comparison (UC) group * Negative metal screen for MRI safety * Normal (or corrected to normal) vision Exclusion Criteria: * Past or present neurological problems (including seizures and head trauma resulting in neurological or cognitive symptoms) * Loss of consciousness (LOC) greater than 30 minutes or any LOC with neurologic symptoms * Major medical conditions (e.g., seizure disorders, treatment with anticonvulsant medication, endocrine disorders, significant cardiac pathology) * Substance dependence, within the past year, or failed urine toxicology on the day of neuroimaging sessions * Known claustrophobia * Current Pregnancy * IQ estimate \< 70

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Anhedonia Depression depressive disorder major depressive disorder Suicidal Ideation Suicide

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Anhedonia Depression Depressive disorder Depressive symptoms Major depressive disorder Major depressive episode

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • San Francisco Healthcare System

    San Francisco, California, 94121, United States

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