Trial Information

Summary: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Adjunctive Pramipexole, a Dopamine Receptor Agonist, for Treatment-Resistant Major Depressive Episodes

This research study examines the effectiveness of adding pramipexole (Mirapex) for people with major depression who haven’t improved adequately on an antidepressant medication alone. Pramipexole is a drug which has dopamine-like effects in the brain, and is approved by the FDA for Parkinson’s disease, but not for depression.

In the study, subjects receive either pramipexole or placebo, in addition to the antidepressant they are already taking, for eight weeks. There are six visits during this part of the study, and each visit takes about 30 minutes.

At the end of eight weeks, subjects who have improved during treatment are eligible to enter a six-month continuation study, during which they stay on the same treatment and are seen monthly. Subjects who have not improved during treatment will be tapered off the medication and enter free follow-up.


Eligibility Criteria:
Men and Women 18-75

If you would like to learn more about participating in this study, please send an e-mail message using the form below.