Stanford RAD-AT Study (Research on Anxiety and Depression - Anhedonia Treatment)

This research study is aimed at understanding behaviors and brain circuits that relate to anxiety and depression. Our goal is to learn which circuits of the brain are involved in anxiety and how these circuits might affect daily functioning.

This study has recently added an additional treatment component: participants undergo a 12 week course of either Pramipexole medication or rTMS therapy (explained below). The ultimate goal of the study is to offer participants experiencing anxiety and depression a treatment that is alternative to ones that have failed them in the past, and to apply the knowledge we gain from investigating the brain circuits involved in anxiety and depression to help personalize treatments.

We invite anyone who has recently experienced any symptoms of anxiety and/or depression to participate (no diagnosis is required to participate).

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Key information

Conditions

Anxiety Anxiety Disorders Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Bipolar Disorder Bipolar and Related Disorders Depression Mental Disorders Mood Disorders Phobia, Social Phobic Disorders Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Traumatic Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Gronowski Center-5150 El Camino Real, Los Altos, California, United States

About this study

If you are eligible and choose to participate, we'll ask you to come in for 2 separate testing visits and 8 weeks of treatment in between.

In both the pre-treatment and post-treatment testing visit, you would complete game-like tasks on the computer, undergo a non-invasive MRI brain scan, and answer some questions about your emotional health. The entire visit takes place during 1-2 days at Stanford and lasts about 4-5 hours. We'll also ask you to complete a follow-up 12 weeks later, from home, during which we'll again ask you some questions on your emotional health.

The 8-week treatment phase will consist of your choice of either TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) or Pramipexole (a medication for depression). You will meet with study coordinators and MDs each week (Pramipexole) or each day (TMS) to receive treatment. You will also be asked to complete weekly online surveys to monitor your mood during the 2-month course of treatment.

To inquire more about participation, you can either sign up online or contact us.

Sign up online: http://med.stanford.edu/williamslab/research/current/rad.html Contact us: Call or text (650) 600-1609 or email [email protected]

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Recent experiences of anxiety and/or depression
Ages 18-65

Exclusion criteria

Specific psychiatric medications (case-by-case basis)
A diagnosis of Bipolar 1 Disorder, Schizophrenia, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Any of the following medical conditions: Parkinson's disease; liver or kidney disease; history of epilepsy or seizures; history of cardiovascular disorders (specifically orthostatic hypotension)

Treatment and study plan

Pramipexole Oral Tablet

Drug

Pramipexole is an oral Dopamine agonist.

Primary outcomes

Assessments of symptoms and daily functioning

Time frame: 12 weeks

General demographics questionnaires, alcohol use questionnaire, substance use questionnaires, Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire, Penn State Worry Questionnaire, Health at Work Performance Questionnaire, WHO Quality of Life questionnaire, Satisfaction with Life Survey, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Brief COPE questionnaire, Early Life Stress questionnaire, Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, Beck Depression Inventory, PTSD Checklist - Civilian Version, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, MINI Neuropsychiatric Interview
Brain imaging

Time frame: 12 weeks

Non-invasive MRI brain scan to see function and structure of brain.
Cognitive assessment

Time frame: 12 weeks

WebNeuro is an objective assessment of cognitive strengths and weaknesses. It provides an accurate and objective assessment of person's cognitive function and efficiency.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Stanford University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Neural Dimensions of Threat Reactivity and Regulation for Understanding Anxiety

Important dates

Study start: 2013
Primary completion: 2024
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Aug 19, 2014
Registry last updated: Jan 5, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Active, Not Recruiting