Studies investigate esketamine, a medication administered by infusion. This is the molecular structure of ketamine. © Zerbor/stock.adobe.com

Studies investigate esketamine, a medication administered by infusion. This is the molecular structure of ketamine.

Do positive expectations improve the effect of antidepressants?

About a third of people with depression do not respond to treatment with antidepressants. Previous patient experiences and expectations play an important role in the treatment outcome. This project will use imaging, among other techniques, to investigate which specific neural mechanisms are responsible for this and how certain areas of the brain work together to influence the efficacy of antidepressants (esketamine).

The effects of esketamine and treatment expectation on an acute depressive episode: a pharmacological fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) study

This project combines pharmacological fMRI with a fully balanced placebo design to investigate the psychological and neural mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of positive treatment expectations in patients experiencing an acute depressive episode. It will also explore how these effects interact with the antidepressant effect of the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor antagonist esketamine. Prefrontal and limbic networks and the reward system are of particular interest here.

Recommended reading:

Bitsch F, Berger P, Nagels A, Falkenberg I, Straube B (2018) The role of the right temporo-parietal junction in social decision-making. Hum Brain Mapp 39(7): 3072-85. PubMed

Kircher T, Arolt V, Jansen A, Pyka M, Reinhardt I, Kellermann T, Konrad C, Lueken U, Gloster AT, Gerlach AL, Ströhle A, Wittmann A, Pfleiderer B, Wittchen HU, Straube B (2013) Effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy on neural correlates of fear conditioning in panic disorder. Biol Psychiatry 73(1): 93-101. PubMed

Nagels A, Cabanis M, Oppel A, Kirner-Veselinovic A, Schales C, Kircher T (2018) S-Ketamine-Induced NMDA Receptor Blockade during Natural Speech Production and Its Implications for Formal Thought Disorder in Schizophrenia: A Pharmaco-fMRI Study. Neuropsychopharmacol 43(6): 1324-33. PubMed

In close cooperation with these projects

A06

A06

A07

A07

How do positive expectations improve mood?

Prof. Dr. Erik M. Müller
Prof. Dr. Dominik M. Endres

A09

A09

How is the effect of antidepressants influenced by treatment experiences?

Prof. Dr. Markus Wöhr
Prof. Dr. Rainer K.W. Schwarting

A15

A15

Does anxiety intensify the discontinuation symptoms of antidepressants?

Prof. Dr. Yvonne Nestoriuc
Prof. Dr. Tilo Kircher

Project Lead

Prof. Dr. Tilo Kircher

Prof. Dr. Tilo Kircher
Psychiatrist

Dr. Irina Falkenberg

PD Dr. Irina Falkenberg
Psychiatrist

Team

Laila Noor
Study Doctor

Alexandros Matsingos
Study Doctor

Cüneyt Yildiz
PhD Student, Psychologist