A Positron Emission Topographic (PET) Study on Depression Patient With Electroacupuncture

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2015-05-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

This is a randomized, assessor-blind, placebo controlled study in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. Subjects receiving antidepressant drug (FLX) would be assigned to receive either 18 sham / active DCEAS for in 6 weeks. Changes in the severity of depressive symptoms over time are measured using depression rating scales. Brain glucose metabolic levels are measured using PET at baseline and endpoint. The most intriguing and expected result might be that acupuncture treated-patients may display comparable or even better outcomes and the clinical improvements by acupuncture are correlated with the restoration of the activities in the related brain regions.

• Phase: N/A
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: The University of Hong Kong
• Collaborators: Kowloon Hospital, Hong Kong; Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong; Southern Medical University, China
• Treatments: Antidepressive Agents; Fluoxetine

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. with righthandedness;

2. have first-episode MDD diagnosed as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV); and

3. HAMD-17 score is ≥ 20; and

4. never had any psychoactive medications.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. unstable medical conditions;

2. have suicidal ideas or attempts or aggressive behavior;

3. previously experienced manic, hypomanic, or mixed episode;

4. immediate family members have bipolar or psychotic disorders;

5. treatment with investigational drugs in past 6 months;

6. alcoholism or drug abuse in past 1 year; or

7. have needle phobia.