Clinical TrialTreatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)PsilocybinPsilocybinPlaceboPlaceboRecruiting

Does Psilocybin Require Psychedelic Effects to Treat Depression? (PSI-RIS)

This double-blind, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept trial (n=60) aims to investigate whether the antidepressant effects of psilocybin are dependent on its psychedelic effects. Participants with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1) psilocybin 25 mg plus risperidone 1 mg; 2) psilocybin 25 mg plus placebo; and 3) placebo plus risperidone 1 mg.

Target Enrollment
60 participants
Study Type
Phase II interventional
Design
Randomized, quadruple Blind

Detailed Description

Randomised, quadruple-blind, parallel-group proof-of-concept RCT (n=60) in treatment-resistant depression comparing psilocybin 25 mg with and without risperidone 1 mg using a double-dummy design.

Single dosing session (5–6 hours) with preparatory therapy (up to 4 hours) and two 1-hour integration sessions; participants receive 10 hours of manualised supportive psychotherapy overall.

Primary aim is to test whether blockade of 5-HT2A receptor-mediated psychedelic effects by risperidone alters psilocybin’s antidepressant efficacy; safety and tolerability are closely monitored with psychiatric and medical oversight.

Study Protocol

Preparation

1 sessions
240 min each

Dosing

1 sessions
360 min each

Integration

2 sessions
60 min each

Therapeutic Protocol

support

Study Arms & Interventions

Psilocybin + Risperidone

experimental

Psilocybin 25 mg with risperidone 1 mg (double-dummy).

Interventions

  • Psilocybin25 mg
    via Oral• single dose• 1 doses total
  • Compound1 mg
    via Oral• single dose• 1 doses total

    Risperidone 1 mg

Psilocybin + Placebo

experimental

Psilocybin 25 mg plus placebo capsule (double-dummy).

Interventions

  • Psilocybin25 mg
    via Oral• single dose• 1 doses total
  • Placebo
    via Oral• single dose• 1 doses total

    Placebo capsule

Risperidone + Placebo

active comparator

Risperidone 1 mg plus placebo capsule (double-dummy active-comparator).

Interventions

  • Compound1 mg
    via Oral• single dose• 1 doses total

    Risperidone 1 mg

  • Placebo
    via Oral• single dose• 1 doses total

    Placebo capsule

Participants

Ages
18 – 65
Sexes
Male & Female

Inclusion Criteria

  • Inclusion Criteria:
  • Outpatient adults 18 to 65 years old;
  • Able to provide informed consent and read and communicate in English;
  • Primary DSM-5 diagnosis of non-psychotic MDD, single or recurrent, based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5);
  • Diagnosis of treatment-resistant depression defined as a baseline HamD-17 score > 14 and have not responded to two or more separate trials of antidepressants at an adequate dosage and duration (an antidepressant resistance rating score of three or more is considered an adequate trial) based on the Antidepressant Treatment History Form (ATHF); there is no upper limit on the number of treatment failures;
  • Ability to take oral medication;
  • All bloodwork within normal limits or assessed as not clinically significant by study physicians and an eGFR above 40mL/min/1.73m2;
  • Individuals who are capable of becoming pregnant: use of highly effective contraception for at least 1 month prior to screening and agreement to use such a method during study participation;
  • Willing to and have tapered off current antidepressant and antipsychotic medications for a minimum of 2-weeks (or more depending on the medication) prior to baseline and for the duration of the study and whose physician confirms that it is safe for them to do so; AND
  • Willing to and have tapered off current inhibitors of 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)1A9 and 1A10, aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors (ALDHs) and alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitors (ADHs) for a minimum of 2-weeks (or more depending on the medication) prior to baseline and for the duration of the study and whose physician confirms that it is safe for them to do so;

Exclusion Criteria

  • Exclusion Criteria:
  • Pregnant or individuals that intend to become pregnant during the study or are breastfeeding;
  • Treatment with another investigational drug or other intervention within 30 days of screening;
  • Have initiated psychotherapy in the preceding 12 weeks prior to screening;
  • Have a DSM-5 diagnosis of substance use disorder (recreational use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and prescribed opioids are permitted) within the preceding 6-months;
  • Have active suicidal ideation with intent and plan as determined by item 3 of the HamD-17;
  • Any DSM-5 lifetime diagnosis of a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, psychotic disorder (unless substance induced or due to a medical condition), bipolar I or II disorder, paranoid personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, or neurocognitive disorder as determined by medical history and the SCID-5 clinical interview;
  • Any first-degree relative with a diagnosis of schizophrenia-spectrum disorder; psychotic disorder (unless substance-induced or due to a medical condition); or bipolar I or II disorder;
  • Presence of a relative or absolute contraindication to psilocybin, including a drug allergy, recent stroke history, uncontrolled hypertension, low or labile blood pressure, recent myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmic, severe coronary artery disease, or moderate to severe renal or hepatic impairment;
  • Presence of baseline prolonged QTc or Torsade de Pointes as measured by the ECG or a history of long QTc syndrome or related risk factors;
  • History of allergy or contraindication to risperidone including insulin-dependent diabetes, history of hypoglycemia on oral hypoglycemic agent(s);
  • Lifetime use of serotonergic psychedelic drugs; OR
  • Any other clinically significant physical illness including chronic infectious diseases or any other major concurrent illness that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with the interpretation of the study results or constitute a health risk for the participant if they take part in the study.

Study Details

Locations

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health — Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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