Overview

This study aims to determine whether treatment of CMV positive (CMV+) individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) with valganciclovir (VGCV) alters neural circuitry, reduces inflammation, and improves depressive behavior and symptoms to a greater extent than placebo. In this double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled, parallel group trial, 24 individuals with a Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (QIDS-SR) scale score ≥ 14 will be enrolled to participate in an 8-week treatment study. Participants will be randomized with a 1-1 ratio to receive 900 milligrams (mg) VGCV or placebo to be taken orally once per day. Participants will complete a 2-hour pre-screen, a baseline blood-draw, clinical evaluation, and MRI scan (visit 2), a clinical evaluation, blood draw, and MRI scan at week 4 (visit 6), and a clinical evaluation, blood draw, and MRI scan at week 8 (visit 10). Weekly telephonic visits to assess depressive symptoms and side effects will held between the in-person assessments.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
2. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
3. Male or female, aged 18-65 years
4. Diagnosis with major depressive disorder (MDD)
5. Current symptoms of depression, that is, a QIDS-SR score ≥14.
6. Unmedicated for at least 4 weeks (8 weeks for fluoxetine).
7. In good general health as evidenced by medical history, physical exam, and safety labs
8. Ability to take oral medication and be willing to adhere to the VGCV regimen
9. For females of reproductive potential: use of highly effective contraception for at least 1 month prior to screening and agreement to use such a method during study participation and for an additional 4 weeks after the end of VGCV administration
10. For males of reproductive potential: use of condoms or other methods to ensure effective contraception with partner during the study and for at least 90 days after the study.
11. Agreement to adhere to Lifestyle Considerations (see section 5.3) throughout study duration

    Exclusion Criteria:

    General Exclusion Criteria:

    • Pregnancy
    • Breast-feeding
    • Unwillingness to avoid pregnancy during the study due to the possible teratogenic effects of valganciclovir

Medical Conditions:

• Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (>30 min. loss of consciousness or >24 hours posttraumatic amnesia) or other neurocognitive disorder with evidence of neurological deficits.
• Presence of co-morbid medical conditions not limited to but including cardiovascular (e.g., history of acute coronary event, stroke) and neurological diseases (e.g., Parkinson's disease), as well as pain disorders.
• Presence of co-morbid inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune disorders.
• Presence of an uncontrolled medical condition that is deemed by the investigators to interfere with the proposed study procedures, or to put the study participant at undue risk.
• Presence of a chronic infection (e.g. HIV) that may elevate pro-inflammatory cytokines.
• Presence of an acute infectious illness (e.g. SARS CoV-2) or receipt of a vaccination in the week prior to enrollment.

Psychiatric Disorders:

• Current significant suicidal ideation (intent to commit suicide or making specific plans for suicide)
• Suicide attempt within the last 6 months
• Lifetime history of schizophrenia, schizophreniform, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder
• History of a manic or hypomanic episode not better accounted for by substance use
• Moderate to severe substance use disorder within the last year, excluding cannabis or nicotine use disorder
• Moderate or severe alcohol use disorder
• Positive urine toxicology (except cannabis)

Contraindications to Valganciclovir:

• Myelosuppressive chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• Absolute neutrophil count < 500/mm3
• Platelet count < 25,000/mm3
• Hemoglobin < 8g/dL
• Impaired renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60mL/minute/1.73m2)
• Sensitivity to VGCV, ganciclovir or other nucleoside analogues
• Medications that could interact with VGCV (see below):

             Prohibited Medications Abacavir Lamivudine, 3TC Amikacin Aminoglycosides Amphotericin
             B cholesteryl sulfate complex (ABCD) Amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC) Amphotericin
             B liposomal (LAmB) Amphotericin B Aprotinin Bacitracin Bictegravir; Emtricitabine;
             Tenofovir Alafenamide Cisplatin Colchicine; Probenecid Cyclosporine Dapsone Darunavir;
             Cobicistat; Emtricitabine; Tenofovir alafenamide
             Didanosine, ddI:
             Doravirine; Lamivudine; Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate Doxorubicin Efavirenz;
             Emtricitabine; Tenofovir Efavirenz; Lamivudine; Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
             Elvitegravir; Cobicistat; Emtricitabine; Tenofovir Alafenamide Elvitegravir;
             Cobicistat; Emtricitabine; Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Emtricitabine Emtricitabine;
             Rilpivirine; Tenofovir alafenamide Emtricitabine; Rilpivirine; Tenofovir disoproxil
             fumarate Emtricitabine; Tenofovir alafenamide Emtricitabine; Tenofovir disoproxil
             fumarate Entecavir Flucytosine Gentamicin Hyaluronidase, Recombinant; Immune Globulin
             Hydroxyurea Imipenem; Cilastatin Immune Globulin IV, IVIG, IGIV Kanamycin Lamivudine;
             Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Mycophenolate Paromomycin Pentamidine Plazomicin
             Polymyxin B Streptomycin Sulfamethoxazole; Trimethoprim, SMX-TMP, Cotrimoxazole
             Tacrolimus Talimogene Laherparepvec Telbivudine Tenofovir Alafenamide Tenofovir, PMPA
             Tobramycin Trimethoprim Vancomycin Vinblastine Vinca alkaloids Vincristine Liposomal
             Vincristine Vinorelbine Zidovudine
             Other Medications:
               -  Current and/or past regular use of hormone-containing medications (excluding
                  contraceptives)
               -  Current use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs that is deemed by the
                  investigators to potentially confound the results of the study or the increase
                  risk of renal impairment (e.g. more than 3 days/week).
               -  Current and/or past regular use of immune modifying drugs that target specific
                  immune responses such as TNF antagonists
               -  Chronic use of antibiotics such as isotretinoin or minocycline because of their
                  potential effects on the microbiome and immune function.
               -  Current and/or past regular use of antiarrhythmic, anti-anginal, and
                  anticoagulant drugs (does not apply where medications are taken for different
                  purpose).
               -  Inclusion of individuals reporting other types of medications or supplements not
                  listed or considered thus far will be at the discretion of the PI based on their
                  potential to affect immune function, brain function or brain blood flow.
             Contraindications to MRI:
               -  Cardiac pacemaker, metal fragments in eyes/skin/body (shrapnel), aortic/aneurysm
                  clips, prosthesis, by-pass surgery/coronary artery clips, hearing aid, heart
                  valve replacement, shunt (ventricular or spinal), electrodes, metal
                  plates/pins/screws/wires, or neuro/bio-stimulators (TENS unit), persons who have
                  ever been a professional metal worker/welder, history of eye surgery/eyes washed
                  out because of metal, vision problems uncorrectable with lenses, inability to lie
                  still on one's back for 60 minutes; prior neurosurgery; tattoos or cosmetic
                  makeup with metal dyes, unwillingness to remove body piercings, and pregnancy.
               -  Claustrophobia severe enough to prevent scanning
             Health Factors:
               -  BMI > 38 because of the effects of obesity on pro-inflammatory cytokine activity
               -  Clinically significant abnormalities on screening laboratory tests
             Non-English speaking participants:
             • The majority of the assessments proposed for this study have not been translated
             from English, thus, non-English speaking volunteers will be excluded.