Engaging Mood Brain Circuits with Psilocybin (EMBRACE): a study protocol for a randomized, proof-of-principle, placebo-controlled and crossover, neuroimaging trial in depression

About one third of people with depression do not fully respond to standard treatments, and psilocybin may offer a rapid-acting alternative. This registered trial will randomize 36 adults with major depressive or persistent depressive disorder to receive either 25 mg psilocybin or an active placebo (100 mg niacin), then cross over three weeks later so that all participants receive psilocybin. Using serial neuroimaging, the study will test whether psilocybin acutely alters cerebral blood flow and functional brain activity in mood-related networks compared to placebo, and whether those changes persist subacutely. Clinical scales and serum biomarkers will also be collected to explore relationships with treatment response.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Background: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide across domains of health and cognition, affecting overall quality of life. Approximately one third of individuals with depression do not fully respond to treatments (e.g., conventional antidepressants, psychotherapy) and alternative strategies are needed. Recent early phase trials suggest psilocybin may be a safe and efficacious intervention with rapid-acting antidepressant properties. Psilocybin is thought to exert therapeutic benefits by altering brain network connectivity and inducing neuroplastic changes that endure for weeks post-treatment. Although early clinical results are encouraging, psilocybin’s acute neurobiological effects on neuroplasticity have not been fully investigated. We aim to examine for the first time how psilocybin acutely (intraday) and subacutely (weeks) alters functional brain networks implicated in depression. Methods: Thirty-six participants diagnosed with MDD or Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) will be recruited from a tertiary mood disorders clinic and undergo 1:1 randomization into either an experimental or control arm. Participants will be given either 25 mg psilocybin or active placebo (100 mg niacin) for the first treatment. Three weeks later, those in the control arm will cross over and all participants will receive 25 mg psilocybin. We will investigate whether treatments are associated with changes in arterial spin labelling and blood oxygenation level dependent contrast neuroimaging assessments at acute and subacute timepoints. Primary outcomes include testing whether psilocybin demonstrates acute changes in 1) cerebral blood flow and 2) functional brain activity in networks associated with mood regulation and depression when compared to placebo. Secondary outcomes include changes in MADRS score over time compared to placebo, and changes across complementary clinical psychiatric, cognitive, and functional scales from baseline to final follow-up. Serum peripheral neurotrophic and inflammatory biomarkers will be collected at baseline to examine relationships with clinical response, and neuroimaging measures. Discussion: This study will investigate the acute and additive subacute neuroplastic effects of psilocybin on brain networks affected by depression using advanced serial neuroimaging methods. Results will improve our understanding of psilocybin’s antidepressant mechanisms versus placebo response and whether biological measures of brain function can provide early predictors of treatment response. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06072898. Registered on 6 October 2023.