Multi-level Mechanisms of Behavioral Activation Therapy for Adolescent Depression
Emory University
Summary
The investigators will be comparing brain (neural) activation of depressed adolescent patients before, during and after a course of Behavioral Activation (BA) therapy using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In particular, the project seeks to determine whether BA targets different neural mechanisms for behavioral avoidance associated with low motivation as compared to threat avoidance. A group of healthy controls will also be scanned as a comparator group for behavioral and imaging measures.
Description
The primary aim of this study is to investigate the behavioral and neurobiological factors predicting response to Behavior Activation (BA), a psychosocial treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), in adolescents. The recruitment age pool will be adolescents ages 15-17. The investigators plan to recruit 40 healthy controls and 96 treatment-seeking adolescents for an overall sample of \~136 participants, Individuals who reach the age of majority (18) during the study will be re-consented as adults and allowed to continue participating in the study. A healthy control group will be included…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 15–17 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female adolescents ages 15-17; * current MDD diagnosis as determined by K-SADS-PL, * CDRS-R raw score \> 45 (T-score \> 65) at baseline; * estimated full scale IQ \> 80 as determined by the WASI-II; * able to receive outpatient care; * willing to not partake in other psychosocial treatments; * not taking psychotropic medications in the two weeks (four weeks for fluoxetine) prior to consent, with the exception of psychostimulant medication prescribed for the treatment of ADHD. * Additionally, depressed patients must have access to required technology (e.g. smart…
Interventions
- BehavioralBehavioral Activation Therapy
Participants will be seen for a maximum of 16 sessions of therapy focused on increasing rewarding behaviors (16 individual therapy sessions of 1-hour, 2 of which include the BSIS component) over 16 weeks. BA intervention includes monthly booster sessions offered throughout 6-month follow up. If needed, two extra sessions will be allowed during treatment.
- BehavioralBaseline assessment procedures
Completion of the K-SADS and CDRS-R to assess MDD, and the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence - 2nd Edition to assess IQ.
Locations (3)
- Emory UniversityAtlanta, Georgia
- Facility for Education and Research in Neuroscience (FERN)Atlanta, Georgia
- Child and Adolescent Mood Program (CAMP)Atlanta, Georgia