PET Imaging Using the Tracer [18F]VAT to Assess the Antidepressant Effect of Nicotine.

In the brain, certain nerve cells communicate using a chemical called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is thought to be important for several functions including mood, memory and wakefulness. The purpose of this study is to explore the role of these nerve cells in depression. Also, we would like to understand how nicotine, the study drug, works in depression and how it affects these nerve cells. To do this, brain imaging will be used before and after this treatment.

NCT Number	NCT07095205
Lead Sponsor	Stony Brook University Collaborators: National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Conditions	Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Enrollment	14 participants
Start Date	2024-10-03
Primary Completion	2029-09-30 (estimated)
Study Completion	2029-09-30 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2025-07-31