Psilocybin With Pimavanserin Compared to Psilocybin Alone for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

Investigating the Role of Serotonin in the Mechanism of Action of Psilocybin in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder

This is an interventional, parallel arm assignment treatment study in individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Each individual will be treated with a single dose of pimavanserin or placebo plus a single dose of psilocybin. Evaluations will be taken before dosing and following dosing at several timepoints up to 5 weeks post-dosing.

In this study, the researchers want to probe the role of the 5-HT2A receptor in mediating the subjective effects of psilocybin. While previous studies have shown that blockage of the 5-HT2A receptor reduces the psychedelic experience in humans, an animal study revealed that blockage of the 5- HT2A receptor abolished the psychedelic effects without affecting the antidepressant response. This suggests that the pathway responsible for the antidepressant response is dissociated from the psychedelic experience pathway, which is mediated by 5-HT2A signaling.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 21-80 years, any gender
• Current primary diagnosis of Unipolar Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) without psychotic features using DSM-5 criteria
• 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) ≥16
• Current diagnosis of Major Depressive Episode (MDE)
• Capable of providing informed consent and complying with study procedures
• Currently using or agreeing to use a highly effective contraception, if person of childbearing potential (such as condoms, IUD, or oral contraceptive), for duration of the study. Male participants agree to use highly effective contraception with partners of childbearing potential
• Discontinuation of any serotonergic drug for at least 2 weeks or 5 half-lives (whichever of the two is longer) prior to psilocybin exposure

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any severity of substance use disorder in the last 6 months (excluding tobacco use disorder) as determined by DSM-V criteria via the SCID
• Current psychiatric hospitalization or psychiatric hospitalization within the last 6 months
• Use of psychedelics in the last 12 months
• Non-medical or illicit use of ketamine in the past 12 months
• Negative reaction after prior use of psychedelics
• Past or current psychotic disorder (including psychotic MDD), mania, or bipolar disorder
• Severe depression as indicated by Clinical Global Impressions (CGI)-Severity score ≥ 5 at baseline
• Significant suicidal ideation as indicated by C-SSRS > 2 in the past 6 months at time of screening
• Suicide attempt in the past 2 years, or clinician concern that the patient poses a risk to self or others
• Acute, severe, or unstable medical illness
• Weight > 300 lbs., or girth size incompatible with scanner bore
• Any conditions/qualities that make participation in MRI imaging unsafe*
• Any physical or intellectual disability adversely affecting ability to complete assessments.
• Current pregnancy or currently breast feeding.
• Any clinically significant abnormal lab test result, including clinically significant abnormal baseline liver and/or renal function tests
• Currently being treated with a contraindicated medication. Contraindicated medications include antipsychotic medications, serotonergic antidepressant medications, and mood stabilizers that may attenuate the effects of psilocybin. Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors and inducers are also contraindicated. UGT1A9 and UGT1A10 inhibitors, monoamine oxidase, and aldehyde or alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitors are prohibited concomitant medications.
• History of abnormal QT prolongation or QTc interval >450 ms on screening
• Use of medications known to prolong the QT interval
• Any congenital prolongation of the QT interval or a family history of long QT syndrome
• A family history of sudden cardiac or unexplained death
• A family history in a first-degree relative of psychosis/schizophrenia or related disorders
• A first-degree family history of bipolar disorder
• A history of cardiac arrhythmias or who require treatment with an antiarrhythmic medication
• A history of any cardiovascular disorder/condition known to increase the possibility of QT prolongation, or any other risk factors for prolonged QT interval/tosades de pointes (including symptomatic bradycardia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, heart failure, or Brugada Syndrome)
• Preexisting cardiovascular conditions, including cardiac valvulopathy, pulmonary hypertension, hypertension, tachycardia, and any cardiovascular conditions that may be worsened/exacerbated by elevated blood pressure or heart rate.
• Baseline vital sign parameters at screening and on day of dosing prior to dose that exceed to the following values for systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and heart rate (HR): SBP > 139 mmHg, DBP 89 mmHg, and HR > 90 bpm
• Hypersensitivity to either psilocybin or pimavanserin
• Psychiatric or other condition judged to be incompatible with establishment of rapport with therapy team and/or safe exposure to psilocybin
• Positive urine toxicology at screening
• Any clinically significant abnormalities on 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score < 25
• Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS-6) > 5
• Potential fall risk