Identifying Biological Markers for Severe Depression

Inclusion criteria

for depressed patients:

• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Edition (DSM-IV) diagnosis of Unipolar Major Depressive Disorder with or without psychotic features.
• 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score greater than or equal to 21.
• Thase Core Endogenomorphic Scale score greater than or equal to 8 on the items included in the 21-item HDRS.
• Between 18 - 70 years of age.
• If currently taking antipsychotic, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, and/or mood-stabilizing medications, must be stable on the medication for at least one-week prior to entering the study.
• Pre-existing (current) primary treating psychiatrist for subjects with psychotic features.
• Any secondary diagnoses from the anxiety disorder spectrum is acceptable. Primary pre-existing chronic Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) will be an exclusion criteria.

Inclusion criteria

for healthy controls:

• Between 18 - 70 years of age.
• Have a HAM-D score of less than or equal to 5.

Exclusion criteria

for depressed patients:

• Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in the 6 months prior to the study.
• Abuse of drugs or alcohol in the 6 months prior to study.
• Unstable or untreated hypertension or cardiovascular disease.
• Use of additional prescription medications, street drugs, or alcohol during the week before the study.
• Any Axis II diagnosis or traits which would make participation in the study difficult.
• Current pregnancy or lactation.
• Post-partum depression
• Diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder
• History of significant cognitive decline

Exclusion criteria

for healthy controls:

• Personal history of Axis I or Axis II disorders.
• Active unstable medical problems.
• Abuse of drugs or alcohol in the 6 months prior to study.
• Use of additional prescription medications, street drugs, or alcohol during the week before the study.
• Currently pregnant or lactating.
• History of significant cognitive decline