Epinephrine and Cortisol in Depression

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study investigates the effects of two hormones called epinephrine and cortisol on how the brain processes emotional material using functional MRI to measure brain activity. The study hopes to learn how epinephrine and cortisol affect the brain differently in depressed and non-depressed individuals.

Official Title
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The Effects of Epinephrine and Cortisol on Emotion in Depression

Conditions
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Depression

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Hydrocortisone Acetate (CORT)
* Drug: Epinephrine Sulfate (EPI)
* Drug: Placebo (PLB)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Weight of less than 280 pounds HAM-D Score of greater than 7 for depression participants Exclusion Criteria: Psychotropic medications Recent surgery Endocrine disorders Liver disease Kidney disease Thyroid disorder History of malaria Tuberculosis Osteoporosis Glaucoma or cataracts Chronic expressed infections (herpes, HIV, etc) History of congestive heart failure History of recurring seizures Stomach ulcers Comorbid psychosis Current use of illicit drugs Diabetes Any cardiovascular disease (angina, hypovolemia, coronary artery disease, low/high blood pressure, etc) Any pulmonary disease Any cerebrovascular disease Sulfate hypersensitivity Glaucoma Infection Pregnancy Parkinson's Disease Panic Disorder Over 280 pounds in weight In-dwelling ferrous metals Left handed Abnormal hearing Claustrophobic Head injury with loss of consciousness Active suicidal ideation

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 21 Years
Maximum Age: 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Healthy Arm, CORT + EPI, then PLB + EPI<br>Healthy participant will receive cortisol pill and epinephrine infusion | Drug: Hydrocortisone Acetate (CORT)<br>* Participants will receive a single dose of hydrocortisone at a dosage of 0.65 mg/kg<br>* Other names: Cortef;Drug: Epinephrine Sulfate (EPI)<br>* Participants will receive a continuous infusion of epinephrine at a dosage of 80 ng/kg/min<br>* Other names: Adrenalin;|
| Active Comparator: Healthy Arm, PLB + EPI, then CORT + EPI<br>Healthy participant will receive placebo pill and epinephrine infusion | Drug: Epinephrine Sulfate (EPI)<br>* Participants will receive a continuous infusion of epinephrine at a dosage of 80 ng/kg/min<br>* Other names: Adrenalin;Drug: Placebo (PLB)<br>* Participants will receive a placebo<br>|
| Experimental: Depression Arm, CORT + EPI, then PLB + EPI<br>Depressed participant will receive cortisol pill and epinephrine infusion | Drug: Hydrocortisone Acetate (CORT)<br>* Participants will receive a single dose of hydrocortisone at a dosage of 0.65 mg/kg<br>* Other names: Cortef;Drug: Epinephrine Sulfate (EPI)<br>* Participants will receive a continuous infusion of epinephrine at a dosage of 80 ng/kg/min<br>* Other names: Adrenalin;|
| Experimental: Depression Arm, PLB + EPI, then CORT + EPI<br>Depressed participant will receive placebo pill and epinephrine infusion | Drug: Epinephrine Sulfate (EPI)<br>* Participants will receive a continuous infusion of epinephrine at a dosage of 80 ng/kg/min<br>* Other names: Adrenalin;Drug: Placebo (PLB)<br>* Participants will receive a placebo<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sadness-induced subgenual cingulate activity as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging |  | 2 hours |