Brain scans seek clues to why childhood trauma leads to depression
NCT ID NCT04713722
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study uses brain imaging to explore how severe childhood stress may cause chemical changes in the brain that increase depression risk. Researchers will scan the brains of 160 women aged 20-32, some with a history of childhood adversity and some without. The goal is to understand why some people stay resilient while others develop depression.
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 study could reveal brain mechanisms linking childhood stress to depression, pointing toward new targets for prevention or treatment.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational imaging study, not a treatment trial. It may not directly lead to new therapies, and results may not apply to everyone.
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
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About 160 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Feb 2021
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2026
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.
Who is studied
Healthy controls, those with depression (current or remitted), and those with depression and history of childhood adversity
- Ages
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20 to 32 years
- Sex
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Female participants only
- 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: * Females of all races and ethnic origins * Ages from 20 to 32 * Right-handed * Capable of providing written informed consent * Currently unmedicated. Note that this criterion applies at enrollment only, and subjects will be informed that they can continue to be in the study if they begin a new medication after enrollment. * Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing * Fluency in written and spoken English * Absence of first-degree relatives with a history of a psychotic disorder or psychotic symptoms; (adopted individuals are eligible to participate but we will probe about family history in case such information is available to the adopted subject) Exclusion Criteria: * Participants with suicidal ideation where continued study participation is deemed unsafe by the study clinician (these participants will be immediately referred to appropriate clinical treatment) * Pregnant women, or women of childbearing potential who have a positive result on a urine pregnancy test * Failure to meet MRI safety requirements including but not limited to any metal implants or prostheses that cannot be removed, or exposure to shrapnel * Claustrophobia or severe anxiety that might impact participation in neuroimaging * Injury or movement disorder that may make it difficult to lie still in the scanner * Any current recreational/illicit drug use as assessed by a urine drug test (covering cocaine, cannabinoids, opiates, amphetamines, methamphetamines, phencyclidine, MDMA, benzodiazepines, methadone, oxycodone, tricyclic antidepressants, and barbiturates) * Use of drug or herbal supplement for depression (e.g., St. John's Wort or SAMe) of those that could affect stress response * Use of any medication in the 24 hours prior to the Scanning procedure (including antibiotics, asthma inhalants, pain relievers, antihistamines, or over-the-counter medications). * Recent use (within 3 weeks) or any medication that affects blood flow or blood pressure, or which is vasodilating/vasoconstricting * Use of Melatonin within 5 days of the Scanning procedure * Metformin use in the past 6 months (for either clinical care or as part of research) * Serious or unstable medical illness, including cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, respiratory, endocrine (hypothyroidism), neurologic, autoimmune disease (such as Lyme, Crohn's), or hematologic disease * Current infectious illness (either transient or chronic); Current episode of allergic reaction or asthma * Hemophilia; Diabetes with poor glucose control; History of chronic migraine (\> 15 days/mo.); History or current diagnosis of dementia * History of seizure disorder * Any history of significant head injury or concussion * Past/current DSM-5 diagnosis of: OCD, ADHD, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, psychotic disorders NOS, bipolar disorder, patients with mood congruent or mood incongruent psychotic features, autism or any other pervasive developmental disorder, organic mental disorder, anorexia, binge eating disorder or bulimia (however a history of bulimia or binge eating disorder is allowable if it has been in remission for at least two years) * History of moderate or severe substance or alcohol use disorder; or, mild substance or alcohol use disorder within the last 12 months (with the exception of cocaine or stimulant abuse, which will lead to automatic exclusion). * History of ECT * Patient is clinically unstable, in the judgment of the clinician
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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 places running it
1 site. 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
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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McLean Hospital
RECRUITINGBelmont, Massachusetts, 02478, United States
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