Welcome to ASCEnD
The ASCEnD trial
ASCEnD is a clinical trial, designed to determine clinical and cost-effectiveness of an aripiprazole/ sertraline combination as a treatment for bipolar depression. The trial aims to recruit 270 adults with bipolar depression from primary and secondary care services, across 9 centres in the UK. These participants will be randomised to receive either the aripiprazole/ sertraline combination or quetiapine.
You can find out which sites around the UK are recruiting here.
Register your interest in the ASCEnD Trial through Research+ME
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The study is sponsored by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust
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The trial is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme- Project reference number NIHR132773.
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The trial is managed by Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit (NCTU)- UKCRC Registered Clinical Trials Unit
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The trial has been developed in collaboration with a Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) organised by the McPin Foundation.
Study background
A previous small trial indicated a
combination of the antipsychotic aripiprazole with an antidepressant may be effective in bipolar depression, with a reduced burden of side-effects compared to current treatments. It is now time for a larger trial to see if this combination works.
How can I take part?
You may be eligible to take part in this trial
if you have bipolar disorder, are currently depressed and meet other criteria as assessed by the study doctor.
FAQs
Do you want to find out more about the ASCEnD trial? Find answers to the most commonly asked questions on this page.
Patient involvement
The trial was developed in collaboration with
a Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) organised by the McPin Foundation.
The study is led by Dr Stuart Watson of Newcastle University and Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust.
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