The Effect of SSRIs on Threat of Shock Potentiated Neural Circuitry

Official Summary

This study aims to increase the knowledge about psychological processes which may contribute to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. This study aims to investigate if administering Escitalopram, an antidepressant which increases serotonin levels in parts of the brain, affects how the brain processes emotional information. It is hoped that measuring these changes will increase the understanding of processes involved in mental health problems.

Study Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Model: PARALLEL
• Masking: SINGLE
• Enrollment: 145 participants

Interventions

• DRUG: Escitalopram — Participants received 2-3 weeks of escitalopram.
• DRUG: Placebo — Participants received 2-3 weeks of placebo, matched in colour and size to the escitalopram.

Primary Outcomes

• 'Aversive amplification circuit' connectivity (Baseline and 2-3 weeks after baseline)

Secondary Outcomes

• Cognitive task performance: Loss/risk aversion task (Baseline and 2-3 weeks after baseline)
• Cognitive task performance: Go/no-go task (Baseline and 2-3 weeks after baseline)
• Cognitive task performance: Facial emotional processing task (Baseline and 2-3 weeks after baseline)
• Cognitive task performance: Emotional face recognition task (Baseline and 2-3 weeks after baseline)
• Cognitive task performance: Visual affective bias task (Baseline and 2-3 weeks after baseline)

Trial Locations

• University College London, London, United Kingdom

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