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NESPRED - version 1

Overview

Predicting risk of recurrent depression
Seeking volunteers recovered from depression

What is the study about?
After recovering from depression, it is currently difficult to advise on the risk of future recurring episodes. The aim of this study is to find better ways to predict the risk of future depressive episodes for a particular person. We have previously found some psychological tests and brain scans that could be useful in predicting risk of recurrence. Here, our aim is to replicate and extend our previous work.

What would you have to do?
Participate in an initial clinical and neurocognitive assessment, including a virtual reality task followed by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) session. We would then invite you for two further follow-up sessions over the subsequent 14 months. Optionally, you could also use a mobile app and a wrist-worn activity tracker over that time to see whether this could replace MRI in the future. 

What are the benefits for you?
There are no direct benefits for you. It is you who will benefit the progress of medical research. You can make an important contribution to a better understanding of depression and its treatment by participating in our research project. However, we can pay some compensation in shopping vouchers and we will give you access to the results of all tests performed, including an electronic copy of your MRI scan if you wish. 

If you are interested in participating, please contact us.

You need to:

  • not be currently taking antidepressant medications
  • be fluent in English
  • able to travel to Denmark Hill Campus, King’s College London in about 2 hours
  • have no history of bipolar or psychotic disorders
  • have no history of neurological disorders 
  • not misusing substances or alcohol
  • be 18 years or older 

Are you interested in taking part in this study? 

Find out more by filling in this form

Planned end date

14 Feb 2026 00:00

Conditions

Depression

Inclusion Criteria

General inclusion criteria (studies 1&2):
- Age range: 18+
- Fluent speakers of English (to understand cognitive tasks)

Inclusion criteria specific to MDD group in study 1
- Life time MDD (DSM-5) of at least 2 months duration and requiring treatment
- > = 6 months remission (i.e. no major symptoms)
- Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) < 10
- No ongoing psychotherapy

Inclusion criteria specific to control group in study 2
- No personal or probable first-degree family history of mood disorders or of schizophrenia
- Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) < 10

Exclusion Criteria

General exclusion criteria (studies 1&2):
- High suicide risk (MINI suicidality screen) over the past month or physical self-harm in the past 6 months
- Impairments of vision or hearing which cannot be corrected during the experiment
- History of learning disabilities or developmental disorders
- History of manic or hypomanic episodes or of an otherwise specified bipolar disorder
- Schizophreniform symptoms or schizophrenia
- Substance or alcohol abuse in the past 6 months (PHQ pre-screening, or MINI at screening)
- Clinically significant symptoms of an anxiety disorder in the past 6 months (LIFE Psychiatric Status Rating Scale for anxiety > 2)
- Significantly reduced psychosocial functioning in the past 6 month as an indication of another unassessed mental health condition (DSM-5 Social Occupational Functioning scale (SOFAS) < 61
- History of central neurological disorders
- History of mjor medical disorders (e.g. significant heart insufficiency, severe COPD, uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes, endangiitis obliterans, severe vascular encephalopathy, hypo- or hyperthyroidism, severe liver or kidney disorders, rheumatoid disorders and all other medical conditions affecting brain function, blood flow or metabolism).
- Exposure to centrally active or psychotropic medications within 4 weeks of testing (8 weeks for fluoxetine)
- MRI contraindications including (planned) pregnancy or insufficient contraception in women of childbearing age (assessed on in-depth screening visit and pre-screening)
- breast feeding or within 6 months of giving birth which would invalidate our hormonal measures

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