Title

The Treatment of Depression With Botulinum Type A Toxin
The Treatment of Depression With Botulinum Type A Toxin (Botox): A Randomized, Double Blind, Crossover Study
  • Phase

    Phase 2
  • Study Type

    Interventional
  • Study Participants

    30
A 24-week Randomized, Double-blind study treating people who suffer from depression who also have moderate to severe frown lines in forehead region with Botox injections. Subjects participating will have their photos taken and complete a questionnaire regarding their depression. They will see a psychiatrist at every visit who will assess their depression.
Participants will be assigned to receive either placebo or botulinum toxin injections in the forehead
Study Started
Jul 31
2011
Primary Completion
Nov 30
2012
Study Completion
Jun 30
2013
Results Posted
Jul 26
2018
Last Update
Jul 26
2018

Drug botulinum toxin type A neurotoxin complex

29-40 U injection

  • Other names: Botox, botulinum toxin type A (BTA)

Drug Placebo

29-40 U 0.9% NaCl injection

  • Other names: botulinum toxin type A neurotoxin complex matched injection

Botox, Then Placebo Experimental

At baseline visit (week 0) participants received an injection of clostridium botulinum toxin type A neurotoxin complex (Allergan; total injection of 29-40 U) in the glabella region according to standard protocols of cosmetic botulinum toxin applications. After a 3 month evaluation period, participants received a placebo injection (matching botulinum toxin) to glabella region at study visit 4 (week 12).

Placebo, Then Botox Experimental

At baseline visit (week 0) participants received a placebo injection (matching botulinum toxin) to glabella region. After a 3 month evaluation period, participants received an injection of clostridium botulinum toxin type A neurotoxin complex (Allergan; total injection of 29-40 U) in the glabella region according to standard protocols of cosmetic botulinum toxin applications at study visit 4 (week 12).

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Male/Female between the ages of 18 and 65

Major Depression Disorder as defined by DSM IV criteria and diagnosed by a psychiatrist. DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) IV criteria for depression are: a depressed mood or anhedonia for at least a two week period. This mood must represent a change from the person's normal mood; social, occupational, educational or other important functioning must also be negatively impaired by the change in mood. Major depressive disorder cannot be diagnosed if a person has a history of bipolar disorder or if the depressed mood is better accounted for by substance abuse or a psychotic disorder. In addition, the patient must have 5 of the following symptoms:

Significant weight loss or weight gain.
Insomnia or hypersomnia
Psychomotor agitation or retardation
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
Poor Concentration
Fatigue or loss of energy
Suicidal thoughts
History of depression for at least 6 months
Initial score 14 or higher on initial Hamilton Depression rating scale.
Melancholic facial expressions amenable to treatment with Botox. Photos will be taken of potential participants and ranked independently by two investigators, on a scale of 1-10 based on how negative they look, 10 being the highest. Patients with an average score of 6 or above will be included in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

Active substance abuse
Bipolar Depression
Subjects who are pregnant, nursing or trying to become pregnant during study participation
Subjects who are currently on more than 3 psychiatric medications at the time of enrollment
Current medications used to treat depression must be stable for at least 60 days prior to enrollment
Previous Botox treatment
The Principle Investigator has determined that this study is not in the best interest of the subject and therefore the subject will not be enrolled.

Summary

Botox, Then Placebo

Placebo, Then Botox

All Events

Event Type Organ System Event Term

Change From Baseline in Depression Symptoms on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 21 (HDRS-21) AT WEEK 6

HDRS-21 is a validated, clinician-administered depression assessment scale. Possible scores range from 0 - 7 (within normal range or remission) 8-16 (mild depression) 17-23 (moderate depression) 24-52 (severe depression). Change = (Week 6 post injection score - baseline week 0 score). PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE IS THE CHANGE IN HDRS-21 SCORE AFTER WEEK 6

Placebo, Then Botox

-0.4
units on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 4

Botox, Then Placebo

-12.7
units on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 4

Change From Baseline (Week 0) in Depression Symptoms on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 21 (HDRS-21) at Week 6 (Six Weeks Post Placebo Injection at Week 0) and Week 18 (Six Weeks Post Botox Injection at Week 12)

HDRS-21 is a validated, clinician-administered depression assessment scale. Possible scores range from 0 - 7 (within normal range or remission) 8-16 (mild depression) 17-23 (moderate depression) 24-52 (severe depression). Change = (Week 6/18 score - baseline week 0 score) Outcome measure is the change in HDRS-21 score 6 weeks after injection with placebo (week 0) and Botox (week 12) - HDRS-21 done at week 6 and week 18.

Placebo, Then Botox (Week 6)

-0.4
units on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 3

Placebo, Then Botox (Week 18)

-8.4
units on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 3

Total

30
Participants

Race and Ethnicity Not Collected

0
Participants

Age, Categorical

Sex: Female, Male

Week 0 (First Intervention)

Botox, Then Placebo

Placebo, Then Botox

Week 12 (Second Intervention)

Botox, Then Placebo

Placebo, Then Botox

Week 24 Follow-up

Botox, Then Placebo

Placebo, Then Botox

Drop/Withdrawal Reasons

Botox, Then Placebo

Placebo, Then Botox