Testing Dextromethorphan-Bupropion for major depressive disorder (MDD)
Official title: Dextromethorphan-Bupropion on Striatal Activity in Adults With Major Depressive Disorder
Two-Week, Open-Label, Exploratory Neuroimaging Study Evaluating the Effect of Dextromethorphan-HBr Bupropion-HCl on Striatal Reactivity During Reward Processing in Adults With Major Depressive Disorder
Interventions
Dextromethorphan-Bupropion
The generic name of the study drug is dextromethorphan-bupropion (150 mg), which is an oral, extended-release tablet comprised of 45 mg dextromethorphan HBr and 105 mg bupropion HCl. The brand name of this study drug is Auvelity. Eligible participants that provide written informed consent will be assigned to a single-arm, open-label treatment group, for a treatment period of 14 days. Participants in this treatment group will be asked to take one oral dextromethorphan-bupropion extended-release tablet once daily for Days 1-3 of the treatment period. Participants will then be asked to increase their dose to one oral dextromethorphan-bupropion extended-release tablet twice daily, for Days 4-14 of the treatment period.
Canadian Sites (1)
Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Eligibility Criteria
See who this study is looking for40 criteria
The trial’s own eligibility text, word for word from the registry. Only the trial site can say who takes part.
Inclusion
- +Male or female between the age of 18 to 65 years, inclusive.
- +Capable of providing voluntary, written, informed consentInformed consentThe process of being told what taking part involves, then choosing freely.Read more → prior to study enrollmentEnrolmentThe number of participants a study plans to include, or has included.Read more →.
- +Meets DSM-5-TR criteria for a Major Depressive Disorder and currently experiencing a Major Depressive Episode (MDE) without psychotic features. Diagnosis will be confirmed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) conducted by a delegated physician or trained research study staff.
- +Must present with a current MDE with moderate to severe intensity, as determined by the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score equal to or greater than 21 and Clinical Global Impression Scale-Severity (CGI-S) total score equal to or greater than 4.
- +Lifetime history of less than five prior adequate trials of a pharmacologic treatment for depression.
- +Deemed safe and eligible by the study doctorPrincipal investigatorThe doctor or researcher responsible for running the study at a site.Read more →, study investigator, trained research staff and/or fMRI technicians/trained staff to participate in fMRI scans according to intake screeningScreeningThe checks done before joining, to see whether a study fits.Read more → form and (if applicable) related medical documentation (e.g., doctor notes, medical charts documenting medical/dental implants, pacemakers).
- +Access to reliable internet for the entire study period and an internet-based device (i.e., a smartphone, laptop, desktop or tablet).
- +Must have the ability to speak and read English. This is due to the diagnostic and study assessments being administered in English.
- +Note: there is no inclusionInclusion criteriaThe things you must have or be for a study to consider you.Read more →/exclusionExclusion criteriaThe things that would prevent someone from taking part.Read more → based on prior history of manual-based psychotherapy (e.g., cognitive behavioural therapy).
Exclusion
- −Hypersensitive to bupropion in any formulation
- −Hypersensitivity: Do not use in patients with known hypersensitivity to dextromethorphan, bupropion, or any component of DXM/BUP.
- −Anaphylactoid/anaphylactic reactions and Stevens-Johnson syndrome have been reported with bupropion. Arthralgia, myalgia, fever with rash, and other serum sickness-like symptoms suggestive of delayed hypersensitivity have also been reported with bupropion.
- −Currently has symptoms of mania or hypomania or mixed state bipolar disorder, as determined by the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score greater than 12.
- −Current symptoms of psychosis or a substance use disorder within the past 12 months. Other select secondary psychiatric comorbidities (e.g. anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders) will not be excluded according to the clinical judgment of an investigatorPrincipal investigatorThe doctor or researcher responsible for running the study at a site.Read more →.
- −Lifetime history of a primary psychotic disorder (including, but not limited to, schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder).
- −Failure of five or more prior trials of pharmacological treatment for depression.
- −Lifetime history of failure of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).
- −Lifetime history of treatment with intravenous racemic ketamine and/or intranasal esketamine for depression.
- −History of non-response to a prior trial of dextromethorphan-bupropion
- −Duration of current MDE greater than 2 years
- −Recreational cannabis use daily, weekly or cannabis use disorder.
- −History of neurological disorders (including, but not limited to, uncontrolled seizure disorder, history of stroke within past 12 months, major head injuries, aneurysmal vascular disease \[including thoracic and abdominal aorta, intracranial, and peripheral arterial vessels\], arteriovenous malformation, or intracerebral hemorrhage).
- −Are actively suicidal (e.g., any suicide attempts within the past 12 months) or are at serious suicidal risk as indicated by any current suicidal intent, including a plan, as assessed by the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) (score of "YES" on suicidal ideation Item 4 or 5 within 3 months prior to Visit 1 \[ScreeningScreeningThe checks done before joining, to see whether a study fits.Read more →\]) and/or based on clinical evaluation by the Investigator; or are homicidal, in the opinion of the Investigator. Participants who are currently hospitalized for MDD symptoms or suicidality are not allowed into the study.
- −Current or history of severe hepatic or renal impairment.
- −Use of prohibited concomitant medications \[e.g., antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), CYP2B6 or CYP2D6 inhibitors\]. See section 9 for details on contraindications, side effectsSide effectAn unwanted effect thought to be caused by the treatment itself.Read more →, prohibited concomitant medication, warnings and precautions with the investigational agent.
- −Any medical or psychiatric history that may exclusionary for fMRI scanning, including but not limited to:
- −Cardiac pacemaker
- −Surgical aneurysm clips
- −Neurostimulator
- −Implanted pumps
- −Metal fragments in body/eyes
- −Nitroglycerin patch
- −Certain cochlear implants
- −Weight\> 440 lbs
- −Presence of any contraindications for dextromethorphan-bupropion (DXM/BUP):
- −Seizure: Do not use DXM/BUP in patients with a seizure disorder.
- −Current or prior diagnosis of bulimia or anorexia nervosa: A higher incidence of seizure was observed in such patients treated with bupropion.
- −Undergoing abrupt discontinuation of alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and antiepileptic drugs: Due to risk of seizure.
- −Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): Do not use DXM/BUP concomitantly with, or within 14 days of stopping, an MAOI due to the risk of serious and possibly fatal drug interactions, including hypertensive crisis and serotonin syndrome. Conversely, at least 14 days must be allowed after stopping DXM/BUP before starting an MAOI antidepressant. Do not use DXM/BUP with reversible MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue.
- −Pregnant or breastfeeding women or women who intend to become pregnant in the next 6 months. Patients who are sexually active must agree to use a highly effective contraceptive method (as outlined in section 9.7).
In plain language
Assembled directly from this trial’s registry record. Every sentence traces to a field below — nothing here is generated or interpreted.
What this study is
This study does not fall into the standard research categories.
Phase 2Phase 2A middle-stage study looking at what a treatment does and watching for side effects.Read more → — a middle-stage study in a few hundred people at most, looking at what the treatment does and watching for side effectsSide effectAn unwanted effect thought to be caused by the treatment itself.Read more →.
What is being given or done in this study: Dextromethorphan-Bupropion.
From the trial registry
Built from these fields:
- designModule.designInfo.primaryPurpose
- designModule.phases
- armsInterventionsModule.interventions[].name
How the study is run
There is only one group in this study, so there is no assignment to different treatments.
This study is open-labelOpen-labelEveryone knows which treatment is being given — nothing is hidden.Read more →: everyone knows which treatment is being given, including you and the study team.
From the trial registry
Built from these fields:
- designModule.designInfo.allocation
- designModule.designInfo.maskingInfo.masking
Is there a placebo?
This study does not list a placeboPlaceboA dummy treatment with no active medicine, used for comparison.Read more → group.
There is one group in this study.
From the trial registry
Built from this field:
- armsInterventionsModule.armGroups[].type
Who the study is looking for
The study lists an age range of 18 years to 65 years.
The study is open to people of any sex.
The study does not accept healthy volunteersHealthy volunteerSomeone without the condition being studied who takes part anyway.Read more →.
These are the criteria the study lists. Only the trial siteTrial siteA hospital or clinic where a study is actually run.Read more → can decide whether someone can take part.
From the trial registry
Built from these fields:
- eligibilityModule.minimumAge
- eligibilityModule.maximumAge
- eligibilityModule.sex
- eligibilityModule.healthyVolunteers
How big and how long
The study aims to enrol about 30 people.
The study is currently expected to finish around January 2027.
The main measurement is taken over: BaselineBaselineYour starting measurements, taken before treatment begins.Read more → (Day 1) to endpointEndpointThe specific thing a study measures to answer its question.Read more → (Day 14).
From the trial registry
Built from these fields:
- designModule.enrollmentInfo.count
- statusModule.completionDateStruct.date
- outcomesModule.primaryOutcomes[].timeFrame
What the study measures
Change in Striatal BOLD Signal During Reward Processing — measured over BaselineBaselineYour starting measurements, taken before treatment begins.Read more → (Day 1) to endpointEndpointThe specific thing a study measures to answer its question.Read more → (Day 14).
From the trial registry
Built from these fields:
- outcomesModule.primaryOutcomes[].measure
- outcomesModule.primaryOutcomes[].timeFrame
Source: NCT07523048 on ClinicalTrials.gov. The full registry text is further down this page — this summary never replaces it.
Not medical advice. What do these terms mean?
What is being tested — in plain terms
About Dextromethorphan-BupropionDrug
The generic name of the study drug is dextromethorphan-bupropion (150 mg), which is an oral, extended-release tablet comprised of 45 mg dextromethorphan HBr and 105 mg bupropion HCl. The brand name of this study drug is Auvelity. Eligible participants that provide written informed consent will be assigned to a single-arm, open-label treatment group, for a treatment period of 14 days. Participants in this treatment group will be asked to take one oral dextromethorphan-bupropion extended-release tablet once daily for Days 1-3 of the treatment period. Participants will then be asked to increase their dose to one oral dextromethorphan-bupropion extended-release tablet twice daily, for Days 4-14 of the treatment period.
From the trial registry — its own words, unedited.
What a drug is here: A medicine — a chemical or small-molecule treatment — given as the thing being studied.
Read the full explanation → · in clinical review
Common questions
Answered from this trial’s registry record. Where the record doesn’t say, these answers say so rather than filling the gap.
Am I eligible for this trial?
Only the trial siteTrial siteA hospital or clinic where a study is actually run.Read more → can decide whether someone can take part. Concord cannot make that determination, and neither can any tool that has not examined you.
What the study lists: an age range of 18 years to 65 years.
The full inclusionInclusion criteriaThe things you must have or be for a study to consider you.Read more → and exclusion criteriaExclusion criteriaThe things that would prevent someone from taking part.Read more → are published on this page, exactly as the study team wrote them.
The useful next step is to bring this trial to your doctor. Answering a few questions first gives them something concrete to review.
From the trial registry
- eligibilityModule.minimumAge
- eligibilityModule.maximumAge
- eligibilityModule.eligibilityCriteria
Is there a placebo?
This study does not list a placeboPlaceboA dummy treatment with no active medicine, used for comparison.Read more → group.
From the trial registry
- armsInterventionsModule.armGroups[].type
Would I know which treatment I am getting?
This study is open-labelOpen-labelEveryone knows which treatment is being given — nothing is hidden.Read more →: everyone knows which treatment is being given, including you and the study team.
There is only one group in this study, so there is no assignment to different treatments.
From the trial registry
- designModule.designInfo.maskingInfo.masking
- designModule.designInfo.allocation
Who can join?
The study lists an age range of 18 years to 65 years.
It is open to people of any sex.
It does not accept healthy volunteersHealthy volunteerSomeone without the condition being studied who takes part anyway.Read more →.
Only the trial siteTrial siteA hospital or clinic where a study is actually run.Read more → can confirm whether a particular person can take part.
From the trial registry
- eligibilityModule.minimumAge
- eligibilityModule.maximumAge
- eligibilityModule.sex
- eligibilityModule.healthyVolunteers
How long would this take?
The study's main measurement is taken over: BaselineBaselineYour starting measurements, taken before treatment begins.Read more → (Day 1) to endpointEndpointThe specific thing a study measures to answer its question.Read more → (Day 14).
The study as a whole is currently expected to finish around 2027-01.
How long any one person takes part can differ from the study length. The study team can tell you what the schedule looks like in practice.
From the trial registry
- outcomesModule.primaryOutcomes[].timeFrame
- statusModule.completionDateStruct.date
How many people are taking part?
The study aims to enrol about 30 people.
From the trial registry
- designModule.enrollmentInfo.count
Where is this happening?
This study lists one location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Sites can open and close during a study, so confirm with the team before travelling.
From the trial registry
- trial_locations
About This Trial
This study will look at how a new medication (dextromethorphan and bupropion taken together in one pill) affects the brain in people with depression. All participants will take the medication for two weeks and have brain scans done. Since people with depression often feel reduced enjoyment in day-to-day activities, our goal is to learn if this treatment can change brain activities in ways that could help improve mood and enjoyment in life.
Worth passing on?
Save it to the Care Package and send it to them, or to their doctor, in one message. Whether they follow it up is theirs to decide.
Review the Care PackageThis page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical trial eligibility can only be determined by the trial site after proper screening. Trial information is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov and may not reflect the most current status. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about clinical trial participation.