Plain-English translation of NCT05973643 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for severe depression that doesn't respond to other treatments, but doctors don't fully understand how it works. This study will take blood samples before and during your ECT treatment sessions and analyze the chemistry of those samples using a special technique called nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. By comparing your blood chemistry over time, researchers hope to understand what happens in your body during ECT and predict who will benefit most from this treatment.
ECT has been proven safe and effective for severe, treatment-resistant depression, but the scientific community knows very little about the actual mechanism behind how it works. This research aims to fill that gap by studying the biological changes that occur during the treatment, which could help doctors better predict who will respond well and potentially improve the treatment.
You likely qualify if…
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If you join this study, you will receive your prescribed electroconvulsive therapy as planned, but with the addition of blood sample collection. You'll have blood drawn before your first ECT session, before your 6th session, before your 12th session, and before your final session. At each of these time points, you'll also complete brief assessments measuring your depression symptoms, mood, thinking ability, and how well you're functioning overall. The entire study spans the course of your ECT treatment, which typically lasts several weeks.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 11, 2026 · Not medical advice
France
Sponsor
Hôpital le Vinatier
Enrollment target
~50 participants
Started
March 2024
Primary completion
October 2025
This trial's estimated completion date has passed — the record may not be fully up to date.
Age range
18 Years and older
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in July 2025.
Reach out to the team running this trial. Response times vary — some teams are faster than others.
Central contact
COSTEMALE-LACOSTE Jean-François, PH
Hôpital le Vinatier
Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.