Take an anti-inflammatory medication alongside your current depression treatment

Recruiting

What is this trial?

This is an early-stage study testing whether minocycline, an anti-inflammatory medication, can help people who struggle with both obesity and treatment-resistant depression. Researchers believe that inflammation may play a role in depression that doesn't respond to standard antidepressants, and this medication might help. The study will see whether people can take this medication along with their regular antidepressant treatment, and whether it helps their mood and overall health.

Many people with depression don't get better with standard antidepressants alone, and some research suggests that inflammation in the body may be part of the problem. This medication has anti-inflammatory properties, so scientists want to find out if it could be a helpful add-on treatment for people with both obesity and depression that hasn't responded to other medicines.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder that hasn't improved despite trying at least two different antidepressants for at least 6 weeks each
you have obesity (a BMI of 30 or higher) along with your depression
you have elevated inflammation markers in your blood (specifically, a C-reactive protein level above 3 mg/L)
you are able to undergo two MRI brain scans during the study
you are willing to add this medication to your current antidepressant treatment and keep your treatment stable throughout the study
you are able to understand the study procedures and give informed consent

You likely don't qualify if…

you are currently having active thoughts of suicide
you have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder
you have an active infection, autoimmune disorder, or neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease
you are currently taking any antibiotic, immunosuppressive medication, or certain other drugs that interact with this medication
you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or unwilling to use reliable contraception during the study

What participation looks like

You would visit the clinic at baseline to start the medication, then return after 4 weeks and again after 8 weeks for check-ups, blood tests, saliva samples, and brain scans. You would take the medication by mouth once daily for 8 weeks while continuing your regular antidepressant. You would also complete questionnaires and interviews about your mood and how you're feeling. The whole study lasts 12 weeks, and researchers will pay close attention to whether people like the treatment and find it manageable.

Testing an anti-inflammatory medication for depression and obesity

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)