MR Imaging Biomarkers of Disease Response to ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) in Depression

We aim to study potential MR imaging biomarkers derived from f-MRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging), DTI (diffusion tensor imaging), and proton MR (magnetic resonance) spectroscopy in patients undergoing ECT for severe depression related to major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). Subjects will undergo an MR imaging session of 1.5 hrs duration at 3 time points: A) prior to initial ECT therapy; B) within 24 hrs following initial ECT therapy; C) 60-days following initial ECT therapy. Imaging measures will be correlated with clinical measures of disease severity at time points A and B in order to ascertain the potential utility of imaging biomarkers for prediction of therapy response. Our goal is to identify MR imaging biomarkers that may convey prognostic information which could be useful in the management of depression. Secondarily, the multi-modality MR imaging approach yielded functional connectivity data (both in the resting state and using an emotional regulation paradigm), white matter tract-based spatial statistics, and proton MR spectroscopy-derived metabolic information will facilitate an exploration of the physiologic mechanisms of ECT therapy. Twelve subjects will be recruited from a clinical population already diagnosed with a depressive episode requiring ECT. Patients will they be invited to participate in our study only after they have consented for ECT. Written consent will be obtained before any study procedures is conducted. Patients meeting any of the exclusion criteria will be excluded from participating in the study. Collected data will include: a) measures of depression severity (HAM-D, BDI) and b) multi-modality imaging data (fMRI, diffusion tensor imaging, proton MR spectroscopy, and anatomic MR imaging).

Inclusion criteria

• Men and women ages 18 and older
• Diagnosis of major depressive disorder based on the SCID
• Score of 20 or more on the HAM-D at enrollment
• Ability to provide informed consent
• Referral for ECT, clinical assessment (health screening, i.e. "work-up") confirming suitability of receiving ECT, and consent to receive ECT
• Ability to speak English (necessary for SCID) and an 8th grade English reading equivalency (necessary for completing assessment forms)

Exclusion criteria

• Claustrophobia, or the inability to lie still in a confined space
• Magnetic metallic implants (such as screws, pins, shrapnel remnants, aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, inner ear (cochlear) implants, artificial joints, and vascular stents), as these may heat, pull, or twist in the strong magnetic field of the MRI scanner
• Electronic or magnetic implants, such as pacemakers, as these may stop working
• Non-removable dental implants, such as braces or permanent retainers, as these will distort the MRI images we collect (note: filings, crowns, and silver or gold teeth are OK)
• Permanent makeup or tattoos with metallic dyes
• Self-report of pregnancy at intake
• A positive pregnancy test (for females), since the effect of strong magnetic fields on the developing fetus remains unknown and inconclusive. (We will conduct a pregnancy test for all female participants on the day of the MRI scan.)
• A self-reported history of loss of consciousness (greater than 10 minutes)
• Physical disabilities that prohibit task performance (such as blindness or deafness)
• Any other condition that the investigator believes might put the participant at risk