A more personal approach for depression treatment.
Join the SPARCLE Treatment Study
A Stanford research study examining the relationship between brain activity and response to the study medication pramipexole.
Stanford researchers are conducting the SPARCLE Study (Stratified Pharmacological Approaches for Regulating Circuit-Level Effects) to better understand why some depression treatments work for certain individuals but not others. This study focuses on brain circuits involved in processing positive emotions (the “reward” or “positive affect” circuit) and examines whether differences in these circuits can help predict response to a specific medication.
As part of the study, participants will complete a non-invasive brain scan, computer-based tasks, and interviews about emotional health, and will receive an 8-week course of pramipexole, a medication that influences dopamine systems involved in motivation and reward.
Eligibility Criteria:
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- Are between 18 to 65 years old
- Have depression
- Are able to receive an MRI scan
- Live in CA and are able to travel to Stanford University for in-person visits
The SPARCLE study includes:
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- Up to 3 study visits at Stanford: 1 medical screening & 2 brain scans
- 8 weeks of open label treatment with psychiatric supervision
- Compensation for your participation
To participate in the study, Click Here.
To learn more, click here.
See study approval letter here.
For Research Questions:
Email: sparcle-up@stanford.edu
If you have any concerns, complaints, or general questions about the research or your rights as a participant, please contact the Stanford Institutional Review Board (IRB) to speak to someone independent of the research team at (650) 723-2480 or toll free at 1-866-680-2906.
