Developing evidence for antidepressant choice to treat depression in Huntington’s disease (DEVISE-HD) [Conference Abstract]

Foscarini-Craggs, Paula, Rosser, Anne ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4716-4753, Pickles, Tim ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7743-0234, Salmoiraghi, Alberto, Rickards, Hugh, Farley, Natallie, Watson, Guy, Drew, Cheney and Mclauchlan, Duncan 2026. Developing evidence for antidepressant choice to treat depression in Huntington’s disease (DEVISE-HD) [Conference Abstract]. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 97 (Supp 2) , A174. 10.1136/jnnp-2026-ehdn.370

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Abstract

Background: Currently our knowledge on antidepressant efficacy for depression in HD is drawn from clinical trials not including people with HD (pwHD) or expert opinion. Our target-trial emulation work in the Enroll-HD dataset has shown evidence of slowed disease progression and improved depression outcomes in antidepressant users compared to non-users. DEVISE-HD is a randomised, double blind feasibility trial of sertraline against placebo for depressive symptomatology in HD, designed to explore feasibility of a future effectiveness trial. Aims: The primary objective of DEVISE-HD is to determine feasibility for planning of a future effectiveness trial. Secondary and exploratory objectives include determination of sensitivity and minimal important clinical difference of depression measures in HD and changes in biomarkers and digital depression measures of interest Methods. We will include adult patients with confirmed CAG repeat expansion >35 at any disease stage. Participants will be randomised to sertraline (50mg increasing to 100mg after 1 month) or placebo for 6 months. The primary outcome is feasibility (recruitment, retention, adherence); Secondary outcomes include common depression measures (PBAs, MADRS, PHQ9, BDI-II). Exploratory outcomes include digital depression measures and assessments of disease progression (composite UHDRS, NfL and CNS inflammation). Efficient collection of data and samples will utilise both Enroll-HD and HDClarity where possible. Results: Recruitment opened June 2026 and we are currently recruiting at a rate to meet the feasibility targets, using recruitment strategies designed by our PPI leads. Conclusions: DEVISE-HD will determine if a double-blind randomised controlled trial of sertraline for depressive symptomatology in HD is feasible.

Item Type:	Short Communication
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Medicine Research Institutes & Centres > Centre for Trials Research (CNTRR)
Publisher:	BMJ Publishing Group
ISSN:	0022-3050
Last Modified:	28 Oct 2026 12:15
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/190496

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