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Procedure

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression

N/A

Recruiting

Led By Susan K Conroy, MD PhD

Research Sponsored by Indiana University

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Capacity to consent

Diagnosis of unipolar major depressive disorder without psychotic features by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and confirmed by study psychiatrist

Must not have

Presence of clinically significant psychiatric diagnoses other than unipolar, non-psychotic major depression, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Prior exposure to any form of TMS

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up before transcranial magnetic stimulation (tms) - immediately following tms

Awards & highlights

Summary

This trial aims to see if using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) on a specific part of the brain can help with rumination in adults with major depression who haven't gotten better with

Who is the study for?

This trial is for adults with major depression that hasn't improved after at least one medication attempt. Participants will undergo brain scans and TMS treatments, and must be able to complete questionnaires and a computer task.

What is being tested?

The study tests if Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) targeting the VMPFC part of the brain can reduce rumination in treatment-resistant depression. It measures changes in brain activity and rumination through fMRI scans before, during, and after TMS sessions.

What are the potential side effects?

TMS may cause discomfort at the stimulation site, headache, lightheadedness, or seizures in rare cases. Most side effects are mild to moderate and improve shortly after treatment.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

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I am able to understand and agree to the study's requirements.

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I have been diagnosed with major depression without psychosis.

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My first depressive episode occurred before I turned 50.

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I am currently experiencing moderate to severe depression.

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My current depression did not improve after trying at least one antidepressant.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

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I have a mental health condition, but it's not major depression without psychosis.

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I have previously undergone TMS therapy.

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ECT treatments did not work for me.

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I have had brain surgery for a neurological or mental health condition.

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I have not had a serious brain injury, stroke, Parkinson's disease, or similar conditions.

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I have epilepsy.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ before tms- immediately following tms

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~before tms- immediately following tms

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and before tms- immediately following tms for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Functional Connectivity

Rumination

Secondary study objectives

Overall Depression Scores

Trial Design

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Active TMSExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

All participants will receive active TMS to the VMPFC for 20 sessions

Treatment

First Studied

Drug Approval Stage

How many patients have taken this drug

Transcranial magnetic stimulation

2015

Completed Phase 4

~580

0 / 11Eligibility criteria met

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)NIH

342 Previous Clinical Trials

410,448 Total Patients Enrolled

6 Trials studying Depression

1,204 Patients Enrolled for Depression

Indiana UniversityLead Sponsor

1,019 Previous Clinical Trials

1,114,195 Total Patients Enrolled

31 Trials studying Depression

11,564 Patients Enrolled for Depression

Susan K Conroy, MD PhDPrincipal InvestigatorIndiana University School of Medicine

~13 spots leftby Jun 2026

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