Brain Stimulation for Depression

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Stanford University

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an effective treatment for depression, but clinical outcome is suboptimal, partially because investigators are missing biologically-grounded brain markers which show that TMS is modifying activity at the intended target in the brain. The goal of this proposal is to characterize the key markers of the brain's response to repeated doses of TMS with high resolution using invasive brain recordings in humans, and relate these brain markers to noninvasive recordings. These markers will improve the understanding of TMS and can be used to optimize and enhance clinical efficacy for depression and other psychiatric disorders.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for men and women aged 18 to 65 who have medication-resistant epilepsy needing detailed monitoring, and are able to understand the study's risks to give informed consent. It excludes those with major neurological disorders besides epilepsy.

Inclusion Criteria

My epilepsy does not improve with medication and needs special monitoring.

I understand the study and its risks well enough to give informed consent.

I am between 18 and 65 years old.

+1 more

Participant Groups

The study tests how repetitive brain stimulation affects the brain using TMS (a noninvasive treatment for depression) and intracranial electrodes. It aims to identify precise brain activity markers that can enhance TMS effectiveness for treating depression.

4Treatment groups

Active Control

Placebo Group

Group I: TBS via direct electrical stimulationActive Control1 Intervention

Group II: TBS via transcranial magnetic stimulationActive Control1 Intervention

Group III: Sham TBS via direct electrical stimulationPlacebo Group1 Intervention

Group IV: Sham TBS via transcranial magnetic stimulationPlacebo Group1 Intervention