Who is eligible for clinical trial NCT05548244?

Participants must meet protocol criteria for Depression. Confirm exact inclusion and exclusion requirements with the study coordinator.

Does clinical trial NCT05548244 provide travel or cost reimbursement?

Check with the site coordinator at the participating facility for travel and lodging stipend availability, and for which routine-care costs are covered.

🏛️ Verified NIH Record • Updated 2026-05-28

Mechanisms of Behavioral Activation (BA) (NCT05548244)

🟢 Recruiting Observational / Diagnostic 🧠 Behavioral & Psychological Program Sponsor: Emory University

🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

The investigators will be comparing brain (neural) activation of depressed adolescent patients before, during and after a course of Behavioral Activation (BA) therapy using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In particular, the project seeks to determine whether BA targets different neural mechanisms for behavioral avoidance associated with low motivation as compared to threat avoidance. A group of healthy controls will also be scanned as a comparator group for behavioral and imaging measures.

Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (9 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (17 items).

Location: Emory University — Atlanta, Georgia

📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Check every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).

Male and female adolescents ages 15-17;
current MDD diagnosis as determined by K-SADS-PL,
CDRS-R raw score \> 45 (T-score \> 65) at baseline;
estimated full scale IQ \> 80 as determined by the WASI-II;
able to receive outpatient care;
willing to not partake in other psychosocial treatments;
not taking psychotropic medications in the two weeks (four weeks for fluoxetine) prior to consent, with the exception of psychostimulant medication prescribed for the treatment of ADHD.
Additionally, depressed patients must have access to required technology (e.g. smart phone, tablet, or desktop computer) to complete the EMA portion of the study.
Healthy controls cannot not meet criteria for MDD and their CDRS-R raw score must be below 28; T-score \< 52).

Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:

Exclusion Criteria:
Current or past diagnosis of bipolar, schizophrenia, schizophreniform, schizoaffective disorders, or psychosis NOS;
current diagnosis of developmental disorder, severe conduct disorder, life-threatening anorexia, OCD, or autism-spectrum disorders;
taking psychotropic medications prior to entry;
estimated IQ \< 80; alcohol/drug dependence or abuse within the last 3 months;
potential/confirmed neurological disorder or epilepsy;
claustrophobia;
presence of a medical condition that precludes fMRI;
endorsement of imminent and serious suicidality;
medical conditions that take precedence over the presence of MDD;
pregnancy;
substance use (excluding nicotine) within two weeks of the fMRI scan;

🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.

📍 All Participating Trial Locations (3 Sites)

Emory University — Atlanta, Georgia
Facility for Education and Research in Neuroscience (FERN) — Atlanta, Georgia
Child and Adolescent Mood Program (CAMP) — Atlanta, Georgia

💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

🏛️ View Official NIH Record ↗