The goal of this observational study focuses on understanding and addressing a subset ofpersistent neuropsychiatric symptoms occurring within 3 months after mild to moderateCOVID-19 infection (COVID-DNP). COVID-DNP encompasses major depressive episodes (MDE)with or without additional neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Participants will undergo two positron emission tomography (PET) scans, one [11C]DTBZ
scan (for vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) and one [18F]SDM8 scan (for synaptic
vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A)), as well as one magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
The main question[s] it aims to answer are:
1. The investigators will determine if VMAT2 binding potential (VMAT2 BPND) is reduced
in ventral striatum and dorsal putamen in COVID-DNP.
2. The investigators will determine if SV2A total distribution volume (SV2A VT) is
reduced in ventral striatum and dorsal putamen in COVID-DNP
Other: [11C]DTBZ PET scan
One [11C]DTBZ scan for vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2)
Other: [18F]SDM8 PET scan
One [18F]SDM8 scan for synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A)
Other: MRI scan
One MRI scan
Inclusion Criteria:
- New onset MDE within 3 months after mild or moderate COVID-19, with MDE verified by
the research version SCID for DSM 5. See "Positive COVID-19 diagnosis" listed after
inclusion/exclusion criteria for a description of how this is determined.
- Age 18 to 75.
- Good general physical health with no active medical conditions based on self-report
(except migraine or PASC).
Exclusion Criteria:
- Use of antidepressants in the previous month (6 weeks for fluoxetine).
- Use of stimulant medication affecting dopamine release in the previous month
- Use of antipsychotics in the previous month
- History of neurological disease (except migraine, and PASC) based on self-report
- Use of medications or herbal products or natural health products with central
nervous system effects in past 2 weeks based on self-report
- Presence of cigarette smoking in the past two months, based on self-report
- Lifetime diagnosis of severe Substance or Alcohol Use Disorder, or diagnosis of mild
to moderate Substance or Alcohol Use Disorder in the past two years, based on
self-report and verified by the Research Version of Structured Clinical Interview
for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 (SCID-5-RV)
- Use of recreational drugs, including marijuana, in the past two months, based on
self-report and verified by the Research Version of Structured Clinical Interview
for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 (SCID-5-RV)
- Positive urine drug or cotinine screen at any timepoint during the study
- History of psychotic symptoms secondary to schizophrenia, schizophreniform, bipolar
disorder, or brief psychotic disorder prior to COVID-19, based on self-report and
verified by the Research Version of Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual-5 (SCID-5-RV)
- Currently pregnant, based on self-report or positive pregnancy test at any timepoint
during the study, in females (in our PET Centre females up to 65 years of age are
given a urine pregnancy test prior to every PET scan)
- Breastfeeding (for females)
- Current disorders of coagulation, blood or ongoing use of anticoagulant medication,
based on self-report
- Claustrophobia, based on self-report
- Weight over 400lbs and height over 7ft (requirements for fitting in the scanners and
hospital gowns)
- Presence of metal implant, object or electrical devices that are contraindicated for
MRI, based on self-report
- Severe allergic reaction to alcohol
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Investigator: Yuhan Liu
Contact: (416) 535-8501 ext. 39674
yuhan.liu@camh.ca
Karida Liu
416-535-8501 - 39674
liuyuhan0830@gmail.com
Jeffrey Meyer
416-535-8501 - 34007
jeffrey.meyer@utoronto.ca
Jeffrey Meyer, M.D., PhD, Principal Investigator
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health