Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the fourth most disabling medical condition worldwide (based on disability-adjusted lifeyears) and is expected to be ranked second by year 2020 [1, 2]. MDD is typically recurrent, often chronic and disabling, with a lifetime prevalence rate of over 15% [3]. Women are approximately twice as likely to develop MDD as men. MDD is associated with high health care costs [4]. Antidepressant medications (ADMs) are effective, [5–9], but only about 50% of patients with MDD show a response (>50% reduction in baseline symptoms) and only about one in three attain remission (virtual absence of symptoms) within the first eight weeks of treatment [10–12]. Those who do not attain remission remain at high risk for subsequent depression, functional impairment and serious general medical conditions (GMCs) [13–18]. Several treatments for MDD are available, but they are currently selected using a trial-by-trial approach because the field has yet to identify clinically-useful patient baseline measures that reliably recommend one treatment over another (moderators) [19–21]. However, several baseline features that foretell overall outcome regardless of treatment type (predictors) have been identified [22–25].

The ongoing International Study to Predict Optimized Treatment - in Depression (iSPOT-D) is designed to evaluate a range of potentially useful moderators and/or predictors within a group of representative outpatients with nonpsychotic MDD. iSPOT-D is a 'practical trial' [26, 27] in that it aims to mirror clinical practice in a representative spectrum of outpatients (to enhance generalizability). In addition to symptoms, iSPOT-D analyzes a range of outcomes including function, adverse events, and side effect burden.

The primary aims of iSPOT-D are to:

  1. 1.

    Identify overall predictors of treatment outcome (response or remission) after up to eight weeks of ADM treatment with escitalopram, sertraline or venlafaxine

  2. 2.

    Identify moderators of treatment outcome (response or remission) after up to eight weeks of ADM treatment

  3. 3.

    Develop a model to incorporate the effects of multiple predictors or moderators on response and remission

  4. 4.

    Conduct a replication study that utilizes the second half of the sample to replicate and confirm the results of the analyses of the first half (Aims 1-3).

Secondary aims include determining predictors and moderators of (1) treatment response according to MDD subtype and (2) symptom severity over time within the primary study period (baseline to week 8) and over the more exploratory follow-up period of 12 to 52 weeks.

In addition, a brain imaging sub-study is assessing 10% of participants and matched controls with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) under rest conditions, and functional MRI under task conditions, to evaluate neuroanatomical and neural circuitry measures for diagnostic sensitivity and state versus trait-like effects from baseline to week 8.

Methods/Design

Organizational Structure

The infrastructure of the iSPOT-D multi-centre, international, randomized, prospective, open-label trial includes the Global Coordinating Center and Data Center (Sydney) with Global Trial Coordinator and executive management team; a Molecular Center (Indianapolis); and 20 clinical sites (see Appendix 1), each with a Principal investigator(s) and Clinical Trial Coordinator (CTC). Study clinical sites include clinical research sites within academic settings and clinical sites in clinical practices. Monitoring visits at each clinical site are conducted by Clinical Trial Monitors every eight to 12 weeks (depending on recruitment rates) to ensure procedural and data integrity.

CTCs at each clinical site assist in the recruitment, evaluation, management and assessments of participants. Clinical data are acquired by trained clinicians (psychiatrists or psychologists) who have passed inter-rater reliability training. The iSPOT-D Executive Committee oversees the trial, which is supported by the Clinical Research Organization.

Site selection/training/recruitment

Clinical sites were selected based on the likelihood of meeting recruitment goals and executing the protocol. Most sites are practices that do not typically engage in clinical trials. During a site initiation visit, CTCs at each site are trained and certified in protocol implementation and data collection methods. As new staff is added, they are trained by the Principal Investigator. CTCs work closely with participants and clinicians, administer some clinician-rated instruments, ensure that participants complete all self-rated instruments, and function as study coordinators (i.e., liaise among sites, Clinical Trial Monitors and the Global Coordinating Center).

Study Participants

The iSPOT-D study is ongoing, with enrolment having begun in January 2009. The goal is to recruit 2016 participants with nonpsychotic MDD, with 672 in each of the three treatment groups and 672 age-, sex- and education-matched healthy controls. Broad inclusion and minimal exclusion criteria (Figure 1) are used to recruit representative adult outpatients with nonpsychotic MDD who would typically receive ADM in routine practice. Patients over age 65 are excluded because concomitant medical conditions or medications could interact with protocol medications. Adolescents/children are excluded because the efficacy and safety of most study ADMs have not been established for this age group.

Figure 1
figure 1

Inclusion/Exclusion criteria for iSPOT-D study entry. *DSM-IV: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition [45]. The term 'primary diagnosis' is used in the context of DSM-IV as shorthand to indicate those mental disorders that are not due to a general medical condition and that are not substance-induced.

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Ethical Considerations

The study is conducted according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki 2008 (see Appendix 2) the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines (see Appendix 2) and/or in compliance with the laws and regulations of the country in which the research is conducted, including the "Good Clinical Practice" principles in the US FDA Code of Federal Regulations (see Appendix 2).

Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval is obtained prior to patient enrolment at any clinical site. All protocol modifications are submitted to each IRB for approval before implementation. Prior to undertaking any study-related procedures, each participant receives a verbal and written explanation of study aims, methods, potential hazards and benefits from investigators, and provides written informed consent.

Study Regimens

Enrolment/randomization

Participants are enrolled at each clinical site and randomized to receive escitalopram, sertraline, or venlafaxine-XR as these ADMs are commonly used in practice http://www.guidelines.gov and have distinct pharmacological properties which may enable the identification of moderators. Randomization is carried out using PhaseForward's™ validated, Web-based Interactive Response Technology. A blocked randomization procedure (block size of 12) is undertaken at the level of the Global Coordinating Center, given that treatment options are equipoise across sites. Open treatment is used to ensure safety and represent clinical practice.

Treatment visits and follow ups

Clinical visits are required at week 0 (baseline) and week 8. Telephone monitoring is undertaken at weeks 2, 4 and 6 to obtain measures of the primary and secondary outcomes. Telephone monitoring with these same measures is continued in the follow-up period at weeks 12, 16, 24 and 52 (Figure 2).

Figure 2
figure 2

Summary of iSPOT-D monitoring of participants.

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Protocol Treatment Delivery

iSPOT-D aims to ensure representative but high quality treatment implementation and maximal participant retention by collaborating with treating clinicians. Doses for ADM medications are adjusted by the treating clinicians according to routine clinical practice, within the following dose ranges: escitalopram (10 to 20 mg/day), sertraline (50 to 200 mgday) and venlafaxine-XR (75 to 225 mg/day). Participants are compensated for each research assessment (equivalent to $25/1-hour assessment). CTCs remain in contact with participants to enhance participation and minimize premature discontinuation. Newsletters and updates are provided to participants on a monthly basis via e-mail and teleconference, respectively, to maintain interest and motivation and to enhance shared learning.

CTCs at each clinical site perform protocol-specified data gathering and enter data in an electronic case report form (eCRF) after each clinic visit and telephone contact. An investigator site file containing all relevant clinical procedures and study-related documentation has been supplied to each site to provide clear instructions on all relevant clinical procedures, including eCRF completion; psychiatric rating scales; how to perform ECGs; Serious Adverse Event (SAE) reporting; example templates of source document collection forms; and logs used to assist in tracking patient screening, enrolment and discontinuation targets.

Concurrent Treatments

The study allows additional treatments for associated symptoms (e.g., insomnia) or medication side effects (e.g., sexual dysfunction) to reflect common practice. Participants may receive any treatment for concurrent GMCs except medications contraindicated for the use of escitalopram, sertraline or venflaxine-XR. The study proscribes any concurrent medication likely to affect brain function recordings and those that cannot be washed out, including antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, anxiolytics and clonidine. Data on concomitant medication are recorded.

Follow-up

All participants are encouraged to continue the same type and dose of ADM used in the 8 week acute treatment period and to provide telephone-acquired data at weeks 12, 16, 26 and 52.

Data Collection

Self-report questionnaires and tasks used in cognitive and electrical brain and autonomic recordings are each based on well-established constructs in the literature. Unlike previous trials and experimental research in which these constructs were assessed using methods that vary across sites and laboratories, iSPOT-D uses a Web- and computer-enabled infrastructure to acquire data in a standardized way across participants and sites. Self-report data are acquired using standardized Web-based questionnaires, cognitive data are obtained using a standardized computerized touchscreen platform, and electrical brain and autonomic data are acquired using standardized hardware and software (see Appendix 2) [28]. The Brain Resource International Database has been established using this standardized infrastructure [21, 29, 30], which provides a systematic frame of reference for quality control in the acquisition of all iSPOT-D data.

Screening and Clinical Data

At screening, CTCs gather participant eligibility and sociodemographic data. The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI-Plus) [31, 32] is used to confirm DSM-IV criteria for nonpsychotic MDD, and assess for psychiatric and substance abuse disorders and other potential exclusion criteria. Depressive symptom severity is rated using the 17-Item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD17) [33] and the 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (QIDS-SR16) [34–36] (Table 1).

Table 1 Data Collection at Baseline Screening
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Clinic Visit Moderator and Predictor Data

Molecular Data

At baseline, two 6 mL blood samples are obtained for genotyping. Initial analyses target 300 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that might predict or moderate response to antidepressant medication, including 5HT-2A rs7997013 AA allele, 5HT-2A 102T/CC and -1438A/G G alleles, GRIK4 rs1954787gene, tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) A218C C allele [37–39], FKBP5 [40] and CRF1 [41]. Others have been implicated as a biomarker for non-response to treatment, including 5HTT-LPR short allele [42], HTR1A (rs6295) - 1019 G allele, COMT (val108/158met) Val allele, and the BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) [38, 39, 42–44]. These candidate genomic variants have also been found to impact the electrical brain, autonomic and brain imaging measures used in iSPOT-D in relation to depression [45–47]. Sufficient blood is collected to also explore gene expression, proteomics and metabolomics. Urine samples are obtained to provide data on illicit drug use and rule out other prescription medications (Table 2).

Table 2 Data Collection at Clinic Visits (Baseline and Week 8): Symptom, Functional Status, Disposition and Molecular data
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Clinical, Functional Status, and Disposition

At the baseline and week 8 clinic visits, participants complete the self-report HRSD17 (primary clinical outcome measure) (see Appendix 2) and secondary outcome measures including the QIDS-SR16 to assess depressive symptom severity, the Frequency and Intensity Burden of Side Effects Rating (FIBSER) [48], the World Health Organization Quality Of Life (WHOQoL) scale [49], the Social Functioning and Adjustment Scale (SOFAS) [50], and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) [51] to assess functional status and measures of disposition (Table 2). These secondary outcome measures are included in the Web-based questionnaire battery (see Appendix 2). The QIDS-SR16 and the FIBSER are also collected during the telephone monitoring sessions in the acute and follow-up phases (Figure 2) (see Appendix 2).

Measurement of Self Regulation and Feeling Processes

The Web-based questionnaire battery (baseline and week 8) includes the Brain Resource Inventory of Social Cognitions (BRISC) [28, 30, 47] for assessment of self-regulation processes. The BRISC contains 45 self-report items from which scores are obtained for: Negativity Bias, the tendency to see oneself and one's world as negative; Emotional Resilience, self-confidence and the capacity for coping with life; and Social Skills, the capacity for building and maintaining relationships (Table 3). The BRISC has been normed and validated with regard to its biological basis [28, 30, 47]. Participants also complete the full version of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS), a 42-item instrument that yields measures of depression, anxiety and stress [52, 53], which has been normed internationally [54].

Table 3 Data Collection at Clinic visits (Baseline and Week 8): Self-Regulation and Feeling data.
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Cognitive Data for Emotion and Thinking Processes

At baseline and week 8, participants complete cognitive tasks that assess Emotion and Thinking processes. Within the Emotion domain, there are two sub-domains: emotion identification and emotion recognition (Table 4). The tasks assessing these sub-domains are, respectively: explicit emotion identification and implicit emotion recognition [55], yielding both accuracy (error rates) and reaction time measures. Participants complete these cognitive tasks using a standard, computerized touchscreen platform (see Appendix 2) [21, 29, 30] which does not rely on keyboard or computer skills. Standardized task instructions are concurrently presented visually on the screen and via headphones. Reaction time and accuracy are recorded via the touchscreen computer and verbal responses via a microphone and recording system attached to the headphones. Psychometric properties have been established, including large norms, validation against traditional paper and pencil tests tapping equivalent domains, test-retest reliability, and consistency across cultures [55–60]. Biological validation against brain measures has also been established in the same participants [56, 59, 61–63]. The touchscreen cognitive assessments have demonstrated utility in clinical groups [64–69].

Table 4 Data collection at Clinic visits (Baseline and Week 8): Cognitive data for Emotion processes
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Within the Thinking domain, there are six sub-domains each assessed by at least one task: response speed, impulsivity, attention-concentration, information processing efficiency, memory, and executive functioning (Table 5). The tasks that assess each sub-domain yield error, reaction time and task-completion-time measures.

Table 5 Data collection at Clinic visits (Baseline and Week 8): Cognitive data for 'Thinking' processes
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Electrical Brain and Autonomic data

At baseline and week 8, electrophysiological measures are acquired using standard pre-specified hardware and software to acquire data on electroencephalogram (EEG), event-related potentials (ERPs) elicited by activation tasks, and concurrent autonomic measures of heart rate function and eye blinks (Table 6).

Table 6 Data collection at Clinic visits (Baseline and Week 8): Electrophysiological and Autonomic data
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Electrical brain data

Resting EEG and task-activated ERP data are recorded continuously from 26 scalp sites with a NuAmps system and QuickCap. Horizontal and vertical eye movement electrodes are placed near the eyes.

Resting EEG

The resting EEG is recorded for two minutes while participants are relaxed with eyes open. Alpha asymmetry, which has been implicated in depression [70], is computed by subtracting Alpha power for a left scalp sites (e.g., left fronto-central sites F3, FC3) from the homologous right sites (F4, FC4), and dividing this difference by their sum.

Positive values reflect greater right versus left frontal alpha power, indicating relatively greater left frontal activity, since higher alpha power has traditionally been interpreted as reflecting less cortical activation [70, 71]. Maximal asymmetry is indicated with 1.0 and maximal symmetry is indicated with 0.

Activation task-elicited ERPs

ERP components are elicited by each activation task and defined by published criteria [28, 58, 72] (Table 7). The primary ERP for each task is quantified as the maximum amplitude (in microvolts) of the change in potential from pre-stimulus baseline, averaged across task trials to obtain a single value for each participant.

Table 7 Activation Task-Elicited Event Related Potentials
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Autonomic data
Resting heart rate

Heart rate is based on an electrocardiogram (ECG) (sampling rate of 500 Hz) with electrodes positioned on the inner left wrist at the radial pulse and on the right clavicle. ECG is recorded concurrently with the EEG during the entire resting condition.

Activation Task Heart Rate

Heart rate is obtained concurrently with ERPs during the Oddball, Continuous Performance, Novelty, Go-No Go and Masked and Unmasked Emotion tasks (Table 6). Mean heart rate is quantified as beats per minute for the duration of each task, which allows a calculation of mean heart rate change and heart rate variability change between resting and task conditions.

Brain imaging data

Ten percent of participants provide brain imaging data including structural MRI, functional MRI and DTI, using 3Tesla scanners. Functional MRI is undertaken with the same Oddball, Go-No Go, Continuous Performance and Emotion tasks used for ERP recording. Brain imaging recording will be completed at Baseline and Week 8. A more comprehensive description of the brain imaging data will be presented in a subsequent report.

Research Outcomes

The primary research outcome is treatment response, defined as a ≥50% decrease from the baseline HRSD17. Secondary outcomes include remission, defined as a score of ≤7 on the HRSD17. The secondary endpoint for remission is a score of ≤5 on the QIDS-SR16. Additional secondary outcomes include depressive symptoms (QIDS-SR16), side-effect burden (FIBSER), WHO quality of life (WHOQoL), social functioning and adjustment scale (SOFAS), satisfaction with life scale (SWLS) and the emotion regulation questionnaire (ERQ).

Data Management

Data upload and transfer

Data from the eCRF are entered by site staff into each site's InForm database, which are coordinated using the PhaseForward InForm protocols and are accessible by the Global Coordinating Center with password control. The source documents are retained by each site and will be archived for 15 years beyond study completion, or in accordance with local regulations, whichever is longest.

Blood samples collected for genomics at each site are placed immediately into a freezer at -20 degrees Celsius or colder. They are then sent on dry ice to the Covance Molecular Coordinating Center (MCC) at Indianapolis, where they are stored at -70 degrees Celsius. Samples from non-US sites are forwarded to Indianapolis via initial storage at Covance sites in Geneva or Singapore.

For the Web-based questionnaire, each self-reported response entered by participants is logged. For the touchscreen-based cognitive tests, the computer registers each touch, press and drag made by the user as each task is performed and writes these with time stamps to a log file. Electrical brain and autonomic data are recorded onto the computer as participants complete each condition and task. The computer registers each datapoint every 2 ms and writes these data with a time-stamped log file. All these data are part of the standard computerized Brain Resource data acquisition infrastructure, which connects to the Web-enabled data upload system. Once the CTC clicks 'submit', the data are instantly uploaded as an xml file to the Upload Server. From there, data are transferred to the 'Scoring Server' (see Data Quantification sub-section) and then into the Data Center database at the Global Coordinating Center (see Data Storage sub-section).

Data Storage

The InForm databases from each site are collated into the central Data Center database. Quantified data are written to a robust relational DB2 database, designed to accept the quantified data from all data modalities. Following quantification, all other measures are written to the DB2 database. In each modality, quantified data for storage is in the form of a numerical value. The database is designed to be scalable and expandable throughout its life. After completion of the final participant visit, the Global Trial Coordinator will lock the data.

Data quantification

A dedicated 'Scoring Server' is in place for quantifying each type of data for iSPOT-D. The 'Scoring Server' implements criteria for screening of data quality and quality control (see Section 6.5 for quality control details).

Clinical data uploaded to the Data Center from the InForm database are quantified according to the scoring manuals for each assessment. Genotyping is undertaken using a standardized array, which allows custom genotyping of SNPs within candidate genes or genomic intervals. Genotyping is expressed as number of alleles (allele loading), coded according to number of a particular allele, as 0, 1 or 2 (corresponding to 2, 1 or 0 of another allele respectively).

Web-based questionnaire data is quantified automatically by the Scoring Server, which has been programmed with the manual scoring criteria for each scale. Cognitive data is quantified into reaction time and error scores automatically using a software program. Verbal responses recorded via sound files are automatically collated by the server and allocated to pre-certified trained scorers, who use text fields (as per dictionary included 'real' words) to transcribe participant responses into the server. Transcription is verified by an independent scorer.

The Scoring Server for Electrical Brain and autonomic data (in the form of 'Neuroscan 5' files) includes a series of artifact correction and rejection procedures. Low and high frequency noise is removed by high-pass and low-pass filters, power line artifact by notch filters, and muscle and blink artifact by second-order blind identification and canonical correlation analysis. The Scoring Server also includes quality control software that detects five additional primary sources of artifact (using thresholds for abnormal voltage, baseline shifts and kurtosis) for removal prior to quantifying the data.

EEG, ERP and autonomic measures are quantified by algorithms in the Scoring Server Software that have been verified against the gold standard of manual scoring with high inter-scorer reliability. Consensus criteria for quantification are used [73].

Quality Control

All data is de-identified using an 8-digit identification number - with a session-number suffix - to provide privacy and confidentiality in accord with relevant guidelines (see Appendix 2). iSPOT-D has a Quality Control Review Record to record any queries about the data and any changes, with reasons. This record will be kept for at least two years after datalock [74].

Training

Quality control of training is overseen by the Global Coordinating Center. Each CTC is trained on-site in data acquisition using the eCRF; the MINI-Plus and HRSD17 with paper forms; and the standardized protocols for the Web-based questionnaire, touchscreen cognitive assessments, and electrophysiological and autonomic recordings. For accreditation, each CTC must perform at least one acquisition under the supervision of the Global Trial Coordinator (or delegated staff from the executive management) and provide three complete datasets that meet the quality control criteria of the Data Center.

Acquisition and Upload

Quality control for clinical data acquisition is overseen by a Clinical Research Organization, PhaseForward, which has on-line data checks which are activated as soon as the data is submitted to the InForm database. A Clinical Trial Monitor performs on-site Source Document Verification to confirm accurate data entry for samples of data, in accordance with the Monitoring Plan.

Procedural quality control of clinical data is undertaken in accordance with ICH Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP) guidelines, overseen by the Global Trial Coordinator. These controls include safeguarding the blinding, maintaining a secure system that prevents unauthorized access to the data, and managing a secure and audited system that permits authorized changes which are documented and ensure that no entered data is deleted. Within these guidelines, an audit trail tracks each data entry to the InForm database and precludes changes to the data once entry is confirmed. Reports are provided to the Data Center confirming the quality control on each participant in iSPOT-D.

Inter-rater reliability for the primary outcome measure (HRSD17) is audited for each clinician at each testing site annually, using an established video-based methodology [75]. Clinicians who differ from the average across sites are advised by the head statistician at the Global Coordinating Center of how their rating on applicable items differs to others and they are allowed to re-sit the rating exam until they are able to rate within the bounds of the combined site group. The quality control of blood sample storage is monitored by the well-established protocols of Covance laboratories at the MCC in Indianapolis.

Quality control for the acquisition and upload of Web-based questionnaire, touchscreen, electrophysiological and autonomic data is incorporated in the Upload Server and Scoring Server software. These protocols also meet the specifications of the ICH-GCP. Recording channels with confirmed artifact are set as missing in the study database. The senior technician has the authority to override an automatic score in the case of discrepancy.

For quality control of data scoring, at least 10% of data for each measure is de-identified, reprocessed and compared to the original results to ensure reproducibility with zero-tolerance for error. For auto-scored EEG and ERP data, trained and accredited hand scorers confirm the quantification against criteria from the established literature (Brain Resource ERP Scoring Manual, 2010). For accreditation, scorers must have ≥50 hours experience and have passed reviews of their scoring by the scoring manager, reporting to the GTC. Any queries or changes must be approved by the Data Center manager and are recorded in the Quality Control Review Record.

Analytic Approach

iSPOT-D has been registered and is being conducted as a single study. However, study aims will be addressed by a two-step analysis procedure.

Aims 1 through 3 will utilize the first half of the sample (n = 1,008) to identify potential predictors and moderators. Aim 4 will utilize the second half of the sample (n = 1,008) to replicate and confirm the results generated from the analyses of the first half. The four aims of the study and hypotheses are as follows:

1. Identify overall predictors of treatment outcome (response or remission) after up to eight weeks of ADM treatment

The predictive effect of baseline characteristics will be assessed overall, controlling for any treatment effect. Regression models will be used to assess the predictive effect of each characteristic on outcome. Independent variables in the model will include main fixed effects for treatment and the possible predictive variable. All effects will be centered to aid interpretability (+1/2 and -1/2 for treatment choice and any binary predictor, deviation from the mean baseline for any ordinal predictor). A baseline characteristic will be considered a predictor if the p-value is <.05.

2. Identify moderators of treatment outcome (response or remission) after eight weeks of ADM treatment

The moderating effect of baseline characteristics will be assessed separately for each pairwise comparison of treatment (escitalopram vs. sertraline, escitalopram vs. venlafaxine-XR, sertraline vs. venlafaxine-XR). Regression models will be used to assess the moderating effect of each characteristic on outcome. Independent variables in the model will include main fixed effects for treatment, the possible moderator variable and the two-way interaction between the characteristic and treatment. All effects will be centered to aid interpretability (+1/2 and -1/2 for treatment choice and any binary moderator, deviation from the mean baseline for any ordinal moderator). A baseline characteristic will be considered a moderator if the p-value is <.05.

3. Develop a model to incorporate multiple predictor or moderator effects on response and remission

Recursive partitioning methods will be used to identify how various baseline characteristics interact with treatment and with each other in their association with treatment response. The recursive partitioning approach will be used to develop a decision tree which selects treatment and baseline characteristics with maximization of the sensitivity and specificity of the decision tree in the prediction of treatment response, while minimizing the complexity of the decision tree. The overall sensitivity and specificity of the tree will be reported, along with 95% confidence intervals for each estimate.

4. Replicate the findings in Aims 1-3

A confirmatory analysis will be conducted and the same models that were fit in Aims 1 and 2 will be fit to the data from the relevant comparison in the replication sample. For example, if gender is identified as a predictor of outcome, then the effect of gender will be examined as a potential predictor in the replication sample. For both the initial model and the replication model, a confidence interval will be estimated for the parameter estimate for the main effect of the potential predictor variable model (Aim 1) or for the interaction term in the model (Aim 2). If the two confidence intervals overlap, the results will be considered partially confirmed.

A decision tree will have been generated using data from the first half of the sample, along with an estimate of the tree's overall sensitivity and specificity, and a calculation of a 95% confidence interval for the sensitivity and specificity. The data from the replication sample will be applied to the decision tree from the initial sample and the sensitivity and specificity will be calculated along with 95% confidence intervals. If the confidence intervals from the initial and replication samples overlap, the results will be considered partially confirmed.

Specific working hypotheses to test each of the primary aims of the study are listed below. These hypotheses draw on a theoretical integration of the published research evidence. From this evidence, 'candidate markers' for predicting and moderating response to antidepressants have been identified. To date, studies have typically examined one candidate marker of antidepressant response and major depressive disorder at a time, using laboratory-specific measures. By using standardized assessments to assess multiple candidate markers in the same study and same patients, iSPOT-D provides enhanced statistical power to identify which markers contribute the most effect size to predicting and moderating antidepressant response.

For each hypothesis, the primary outcome measure of response to antidepressants is change on the HRSD17, and the secondary outcomes are change on the self-reported QIDS-SR16 and functional outcome measures (WHOQoL, SOFAS, SWLS, ERQ):

  1. 1.

    Baseline severity of clinical symptoms will predict acute response to antidepressants, and moderate response to type of antidepressant, at 8-week follow up.

  2. 2.

    Baseline psychological features, including exposure to early life trauma and stress-related temperament, will predict acute response to antidepressants, and moderate response to type of antidepressant, at 8-week follow up.

  3. 3.

    Baseline level of cognitive function on emotion tasks will predict acute response to antidepressants, and moderate response to type of antidepressant, at 8-week follow up.

  4. 4.

    Baseline level of cognitive function on thinking tasks will predict acute response to antidepressants, and moderate response to type of antidepressant, at 8-week follow up.

  5. 5.

    Baseline degree of asymmetry on the EEG measure of Alpha power will predict acute response to antidepressants, and moderate response to type of antidepressant, at 8-week follow up.

  6. 6.

    Baseline degree of heart rate variability on autonomic measures will predict acute response to antidepressants, and moderate response to type of antidepressant, at 8-week follow up.

  7. 7.

    For genetics, the presence of specific SNP alleles will predict acute response to antidepressants, and moderate response to type of antidepressant, at 8-week follow up; the 5HT-2A rs7997013 AA allele, 5HT-2A 102T/CC and -1438A/G G alleles, GRIK4 rs1954787gene, tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) A218C C allele, FKBP5 and CRF1 will moderate a positive response, and the 5HTT-LPR short allele, HTR1A (rs6295) - 1019 G allele, COMT (val108/158met) Val allele, and the BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) will moderate a non-response.

Analyses are planned to test each of the core aims and hypotheses. The primary outcome measure of response to antidepressants is change on the HRSD17. The secondary outcomes are change on the self-reported QIDS-SR16 and functional outcome measures (WHOQoL, SOFAS, SWLS, ERQ). Independent measures of clinical severity, psychological function, EEG and genetics being tested as predictors/moderators of the independent variables are listed in Tables 2 to 7. For genetic predictors and moderators, we have focused on an allele-wise approach to target those SNPs that have reported associations in the literature. Sufficient blood is being collected to also explore genome-wide associations between antidepressant response and predictor/moderator variables in future, unplanned analyses.

Sample Size, Power and Effect Size

The primary goal of the proposed study is to identify a number of characteristics which are differentially associated with outcomes across various treatments. This extends the traditional randomized clinical trials which directly compare treatments or a study designed to specifically test the moderating effect of one or more baseline characteristics. The sample size has been selected to provide statistical power of at least 89% power to detect small effects for predictors (odds ratio 1.3 per standard deviation change in the independent baseline measure) at an alpha level of p < .05; 94% power to detect medium effects for predictors (odds ratio of 1.5) at an alpha level of p < .001, 94% power to detect medium effects for moderator interaction terms (odds ratio of 1.5) at an alpha level of p < .01. In addition to replication in the second 1000 participants, we aim to control type I error by applying effect size criteria for each logistic model that odds ratios for the main parameter of interest must exceed 1.3.

Data Monitoring and Safety Reporting

A data and safety monitoring board (DSMB) meets every two months to monitor various aspects of the study including participant recruitment, protocol compliance, and SAEs. The DSMB comprises a minimum of three members with representation from psychiatrists, primary care physicians and a statistician. Statisticians at the Global Coordinating Centre monitor the age, sex and education distributions of each group every month to ensure matching (±3 years for age, ±1 year for education).

Site recruitment and retention is monitored weekly by the Global Trial Coordinator and CTC for each site. Monitoring is undertaken in accordance with ICH-GCP guidelines. The Monitoring Plan requires 100% source data verification of SAEs and primary outcome measures, and a sample of cognition and brain data. All informed consents are reviewed. Sites that enrol more participants are monitored more frequently.

The Clinical Research Organization is responsible for ensuring that the rights and welfare of participants are maintained, data quality is satisfactory and the trial is conducted in accordance with ICH-GCP and country-specific guidelines, as well as with the protocol's standard operating procedures.

All SAEs (Figure 3) are recorded in the eCRF and on the "Serious Adverse Event Report" form. All SAE entries indicate whether the SAE is serious, the severity, date of onset, whether it is related to study medication or procedure, the action being taken, and resolution. The Global Trial Coordinator may request additional information from the investigator to ensure the timely completion of accurate safety reports. SAE follow-up continues through the last day on study (including the off-study follow-up medication period) and/or until the Global Trial Coordinator and Principal Investigator for the site determine that the participant's condition is stable. Brain Resource may request that certain SAEs be followed until resolution.

Figure 3
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Definition of Serious Adverse Events.

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The Principal Investigator ensures that all measures necessary for resolution of the SAE are taken. All medications necessary for treatment of the SAE are recorded in the concomitant medication section of the eCRF.

The investigator notifies the Institutional Review Board or Independent Ethics Committee (in writing) of SAEs as soon as is practical where this is required by local regulatory authorities and in accordance with the local institutional policy. In accordance with the European Union Clinical Trials Directive (2001/20/EC), the Sponsor or its designee notifies the Ethics Committees of the concerned Member States of SAEs that are unexpected and possibly attributable to the treatment medication. In all countries, SAEs are reported in accordance with the regulations governing expedited reporting for registered products. SAE reporting is monitored by the Clinical Research Organization and all SAEs are reviewed by the DSMB.

Discussion

iSPOT-D, a randomized controlled study, aims to identify moderators and predictors of treatment response among three treatments: escitalopram, sertraline, and venlafaxine-XR. Potential moderators or predictors include measures of depressive symptoms, functional status, side-effect burden, genomic, cognition, brain function and brain imaging. Participants are being recruited from clinical and academic sites to assemble a broadly inclusive and representative population. Thus, study results should be widely generalizable.

iSPOT-D includes an innovation in study design with the use of cognitive, brain and gene measures for the identification of objective markers that may moderate or predict response to ADMs. Identifying these markers will be an important first step in a 'personalized medicine' approach to the management of MDD.

Authors' Information

LMW is founding Chair of the BRAINnet Foundation, a non-profit global consortium for integrative neuroscience (headquartered in California, USA), and Professor in Cognitive Neuropsychiatry at Sydney Medical School. AJR is Vice Dean, Clinical Sciences at Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate medical School. Before this, he was Professor and Vice Chair in Clinical Sciences at Southwestern Medical Centre, US. AJR is an alumnus of Princeton University (biochemistry) and Doctor of Medicine from Columbia College of Physicians, with medical training at Northwestern University and psychiatry training at University of Pennsylvania. He has directed the largest treatment trial of depression ever conducted: the STAR*D trial http://www.star-d.org. AJR is Chair of the iSPOT-D Publication Committee. SHK is Research Director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Director on the board of the BRAINnet Foundation. He was the first Director of the Neuroscience Research Branch at the NIMH where he was responsible for initiating new research programs including Human Brain Imaging. SHK was founder of the International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility. SW is a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Co-Director of the Epidemiology Data Center, University of Pittsburgh. His secondary appointment is in Psychiatry. He is an Associate Dean for Research in the Graduate School of Public Health. CBN is Leonard M. Miller Professor and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami. Before this, he built the Department of Psychiatry at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta into one of the top ten departments in the United States, as Reunette W. Harris Professor and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. AFS is the Chair of Stanford School of Medicine - Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. EG was founding Director of the Brain Dynamics Centre (BDC), Sydney Medical School. He has founded the first standardized international database on the human brain.

Appendices

Appendix 1

Summary of proposed sites for iSPOT-D

USA

Academic Sites:

Stanford University, Department of Psychiatry

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Harvard University, McLean Hospital

University of St Louis Missouri, Department of Psychology

Ohio State University

University of Virginia, Center for Psychiatric Clinical Research

Clinical Sites:

Shanti Clinical Trials, Colton, California

Center for Healing the Human Spirit Tarzana, California

Skyland Behavioral Health Associates, North Carolina

NeuroDevelopment Center, Providence RI, Academic affiliation: Brown University

Brain Resource Center, NYC, Academic affiliation: Columbia University

UK

Academic Sites:

Kings College Institute of Psychiatry, London

Netherlands

Clinical Sites:

Brainclinics Diagnostics & Treatment, Nijmegen, Academic affiliation: Nijmegen University

Australia

Academic Sites:

University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital

Monash University, Melbourne, Alfred Hospital

Swinburne University, Melbourne, Brain Sciences Institute

Flinders University, Adelaide, Cognitive Neuroscience Unit

Clinical Sites:

Mind Medico, Tasmania, Academic affiliation: University of Tasmania

New Zealand

Academic Sites:

Auckand University, Department of Psychiatry

Clinical Sites:

Brain Health, Johannesburg, Academic affiliation: University of Wittswatersrand

Appendix 2

Regulations/Guidelines, Trademark Names, and Outcome Measure Details

Regulations/Guidelines

World Medical Association Declaration of Helskini:

http://www.wma.net/en/30publications/10policies/b3/index.html

ICH Guidelines: http://www.ich.org/home.html

FDA Code of Federal Regulations:

http://www.fda.gov/ScienceResearch/SpecialTopics/RunningClinicalTrials/ucm114928.htm

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?cfrpart=312

European Medical Association: http://www.ema.europa.eu/pdfs/human/ich/013595en.pdf

Australia; Therapeutic Goods Association regulations:

http://www.tga.gov.au/docs/html/ich13595.htm

New Zealand; Medsafe Good Clinical Practice Guideline and Codes:

http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/regissues.asp

South Africa; Department of Health guidelines:

http://www.doh.gov.za/docs/policy/trials/trials_01.html

Trademark Names for Brain Resource Data Acquisition Methods

  • Web-based battery of self-report questionnaires: WebQ™

  • Brain Resource Inventory of Social Cognitions: BRISC™. The BRISC is a Web-based battery implemented in conjunction with WebQ.

  • Computerized cognitive test battery operating on a touchscreen platform: IntegNeuro™. The version of 'IntegNeuro' that operates in conjunction with LabNeuro (listed below) has also been called 'Psychometrics'.

  • Computerized resting and task conditions for recording of EEG, ERPs and autonomic data: LabNeuro™.

  • Standardized sequences and software for MRI, functional MRI and DTI: MRI-Neuro™.

  • Standardized protocols for acquiring and transporting DNA samples for genotyping; Molecular-Neuro™.

Outcome Measure Details

The supplementary four items contributing to the 21-item version of the HRSD17 will also be assessed, but not used as part of the primary outcome score.

Reasons for exit before 8 weeks are recorded. QIDS-SR16 data will be available for these participants, for the weeks prior to week 8.