RecruitingPhase IVInterventional

Anti-depressants for depression in Huntington's disease

Huntington's Disease (HD) can cause movement and thinking problems, and many people with HD also suffer from depression. This study aims to see if a widely used antidepressant called Sertraline could help treat depression in people with HD. We want to find out the best way to measure depression in this group and if a larger study would be possible. Participants will take either Sertraline or a dummy pill for six months, with assessments at the start and end. We're also checking blood and spinal fluid for changes related to inflammation. This research could help us better treat depression in HD in the future.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Phase IV

Sponsor

Cardiff University

Enrolment target

Start

30 Mar 2026

Estimated completion

31 Oct 2026

Antidepressant treatment for depression in individuals with a confirmed genetic diagnosis of Huntington's Disease.

What is this study about?

Huntington's Disease (HD) is a condition that affects your brain, leading to problems with movement, thinking, and memory. These symptoms tend to get worse over time. Many people living with HD also experience depression, which can make daily life much harder for them and their families. If we can find better ways to treat depression in HD, it could significantly improve quality of life and potentially reduce the need for expensive hospital care.

However, depression in people with HD might be different from depression in people who don't have HD. This means we don't fully understand how well standard depression treatments work for someone with HD. This study, called DEVELOPING EVIDENCE FOR ANTIDEPRESSANT CHOICE TO TREAT DEPRESSION IN HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE (DEVISE HD), is a first step to answer these important questions.

Our main goals are to find out if it's practical to conduct a larger study on antidepressants for depression in HD. We also want to learn the best ways to measure how depression changes in people with HD. By doing this, we hope to gather valuable information that could lead to more effective treatments and better support for individuals with Huntington's Disease and their families.

Key takeaways

The study aims to understand how antidepressants work for depression in Huntington's Disease.
Participants will receive either Sertraline (an antidepressant) or a dummy pill.
It lasts about six months per participant and involves assessments and some medical procedures.
The goal is to gather information to help design better future treatments for depression in HD.
Participation contributes to medical knowledge, but may not directly improve your own symptoms.
The study is funded by Health and Care Research Wales and run by Cardiff University.

Who may be eligible?

This study is open to adults aged 18 or older who have a confirmed diagnosis of Huntington's Disease through a genetic test. You should also be experiencing a new episode of mild or moderate depression, meaning you've not had depressive symptoms for at least four months before this new episode.

There are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you are currently taking any antidepressant medication, or have taken one in the last six months, you won't be suitable. Also, if you've had a bad reaction to Sertraline before, or if it didn't work for you, you won't be able to participate.

We also cannot include people with other brain conditions that might be causing depression, or those with very severe depression or thoughts of harming themselves, as their care needs are different and they might be at higher risk in this type of study. You must also be able to understand the study information and give your permission to take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have a genetically confirmed diagnosis of Huntington's Disease?
Are you currently experiencing mild to moderate depression that's a new episode?
Are you NOT currently taking antidepressant medication, or have not taken any in the last 6 months?
Have you NOT had a bad reaction to Sertraline before, or found it didn't help you?
Are you able to understand the study information and give your permission to participate?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll be involved in the study for about six months. At the very beginning, you'll have some checks to see if you're suitable. Once you're in, you will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group will receive a common antidepressant called Sertraline, and the other group will receive a 'dummy' pill, called a placebo, which looks the same but contains no medicine. Neither you nor the study team will know which you are taking during the study.

You'll have regular assessments to check your depression symptoms and other HD symptoms at the start of the study and again after six months. These assessments might involve talking to a doctor or nurse and filling out questionnaires. The study also involves taking blood samples and a small sample of the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord, called a lumbar puncture. These samples help us look for tiny changes in your body that might be linked to inflammation, to see if the medication has an effect. We will also monitor how many people join and stay in the study, and which methods for measuring depression work best.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may or may not directly improve your own depression symptoms, as some participants will receive a dummy pill. However, a potential benefit is that you'll be closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. More importantly, your participation will help researchers learn valuable information about treating depression in Huntington's Disease. This understanding could lead to better treatments for you and others in the future. As for risks, you might experience side effects from the medication, such as nausea or headaches, which will be explained to you. There's also a small risk of discomfort or bruising from blood tests and the lumbar puncture procedure. All these procedures will be carried out by experienced staff who will explain everything to you carefully. Remember, you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual care.

Locations (3)

Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust
Approximate
Cardiff, Wales
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Approximate
Birmingham, England
Betsi Cadwaladr University Lhb Colwyn Bay Office
City only
Colwyn Bay, Wales

Common questions

What is Huntington's Disease?

Huntington's Disease is a genetic condition that affects the brain, causing problems with movement, thinking, and mood over time.

What is Sertraline?

Sertraline is a common medication often prescribed to treat depression and some anxiety conditions.

What is a 'dummy pill' or placebo?

A dummy pill (placebo) looks exactly like the real medication but contains no active drug. It helps researchers compare the true effects of the medicine.

Why do you need blood and spinal fluid samples?

These samples help researchers look for changes in your body, like inflammation, that might be linked to depression or the effects of the treatment.

How long will I be involved in the study?

If you join, you will be involved for about six months in total.

How to find out more

Paula Foscarini-Craggs

DEVISEHD@cardiff.ac.uk +44 29 206 87522 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.