Parkinson's drug shows promise for Depression's pleasure loss
NCT ID NCT04121091
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study tested whether pramipexole, a drug used for Parkinson's disease, could help people with depression who struggle with anhedonia—the inability to feel pleasure or motivation. Thirteen adults with depression and significant anhedonia took pramipexole alongside their usual antidepressant. Researchers measured changes in anhedonia symptoms and brain activity to see if the drug might target this specific symptom.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Pramipexole pill
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a treatment for anhedonia in people with depression who don't respond to standard antidepressants.
- What could go wrong
- This was a very small pilot study with only 13 people, so results may not apply widely. Pramipexole can cause side effects like nausea, dizziness, or impulse control issues.
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.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
13 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2019
- Finished
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Mar 2021
- 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
-
18 to 75 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age ≥18 and ≤75. 2. Diagnosis of unipolar depression; bipolar disorder in depressive phase or dysthymia. 3. Symptoms of depression; Total-score ≥ 18, measured by Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). 4. Symptoms of anhedonia; Total-score \< 27, measured by Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS). 5. Ongoing treatment with at least one antidepressant drug ≥ 4 weeks without major changes in dosage. Patients with bipolar disorder must have a mood-stabilizing drug treatment. 6. Must sign an informed consent. - Exclusion Criteria: 1. Ongoing pregnancy, breastfeeding or planning for pregnancy. 2. High suicidality assessed by the researcher with medical degree. 3. Ongoing substance use disorder (last 12 month). 4. Diagnosis of psychosis. 5. Ongoing involuntary psychiatric treatment. 6. History of Impulse-control disorder or current ADHD diagnosis. 7. Diagnosis of Intellectual disability, dementia, or other circumstances leading to difficulties to understand the implications of participating in the study and to give informed consent. 8. Diagnosis of renal failure (eGFR \< 50 ml/min/1,73 m2 ) or severe cardiovascular disease (defined as symptoms of heart failure NYHA class 2). 9. Recently committed to psychotherapy (during the last 6 weeks) or planning for psychotherapy during the participation of the study. 10. Ongoing ECT-treatment. 11. Other diseases, disorders or medical treatments that according to the researchers might influence the results of the study or increases the risks of the study. Such as Parkinson's disorder, liver failure, cancer not in remission (for at least over a year). 12. Confirmed or suspected allergy to the active substance or excipients of the drug used in this study. 13. Committed to other trials 14. Other reasons that according to the researcher might prevent the subject to fulfill the obligations of the study. For example insufficient drug compliance. -
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Psychiatry Clinic, Lund, Region Skåne
Lund, 22358, Sweden
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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