Overview

SPARCLE addresses a critical gap in precision psychiatry: understanding which patients will benefit from specific medications based on their unique neural signatures. Our goal is to identify whether baseline function in areas of the brain that process positive emotions (the "reward circuit" or "positive affect circuit") can predict treatment response to pramipexole, a selective dopamine agonist that directly targets these circuits. Many individuals with depression show dysfunction in these areas, which may explain why traditional antidepressants do not work for everyone. This study will help establish circuit-based biomarkers to guide personalized medication selection.

Sign Up to Participate

Our study is currently recruiting individuals between the ages of 18-65 who have recently experienced symptoms of depression. 

Participation involves an 8-week treatment course of pramipexole followed by a 2-week down taper and follow-up. Participants will be asked to attend up to two in-person testing visits at the beginning of the study. This visit includes a non-invasive functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) brain scan to measure brain circuit function, game-like tasks, and interviews about emotional health.

During the 10-week study period, you will also meet remotely with a study coordinator or clinician each week to monitor mood and answer questions.

If you are interested in participating in the study, please complete the following online screening survey:

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​Once we receive your completed screening survey, we’ll review it and reach out as soon as possible if you appear to be eligible. Thank you for your interest in our research!