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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Rapid-Acting TMS for Depression

N/A
Recruiting
Led By Alan F. Schatzberg, MD
Research Sponsored by Stanford University
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Medical records confirming a history of moderate to severe treatment-resistance as defined by a score of 7-14 on the Maudsley Staging Method (MSM 3)
Currently diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and meets criteria for a Major Depressive Episode, according to the criteria defined in the Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5).
Must not have
History of significant neurologic disease, including dementia, Parkinson's or Huntington's disease, brain tumor, seizure disorder, subdural hematoma, multiple sclerosis, or history of significant head trauma
Contraindication to receiving rTMS (e.g., metal in head, history of seizure, known brain lesion)
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up baseline, 1-month.

Summary

This trial is testing if a new, accelerated schedule of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can help people with depression who haven't responded to other treatments. TMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for adults aged 22-65 with Major Depressive Disorder who haven't responded well to other treatments. Participants must be in good health, not have certain mental health conditions or severe personality disorders, and can't be using substances or have metal implants that interfere with MRI scans.
What is being tested?
The study tests a rapid version of theta-burst stimulation (TBS) via transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) against a sham treatment for depression. It's randomized and double-blind, meaning neither the researchers nor participants know who gets real TBS until after the study.
What are the potential side effects?
While TMS is generally considered safe, it may cause discomfort at the site of stimulation, headache, lightheadedness, or seizures in rare cases. The sham treatment should have no side effects as it's designed to mimic TBS without delivering active treatment.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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My medical records show I have hard-to-treat depression.
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I have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder.
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I have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder.
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I have never undergone TMS therapy.
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I am between 22 and 65 years old.
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I have never undergone TMS therapy.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I have a history of serious brain or nerve conditions.
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I do not have metal implants in my head, a history of seizures, or known brain lesions.
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My depression symptoms have not worsened by 30% or more recently.
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My treatment's intensity is more than 65% of the maximum level.
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I've had more than 8 ECT sessions without improvement.
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I have a hormone-related condition that is untreated or not fully treated.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~baseline, 1-month.
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline, 1-month. for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Rates of remission one month after treatment in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score.
Secondary study objectives
Rates of response one month after treatment in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Active Control
Placebo Group
Group I: Active TBS-DLPFCActive Control1 Intervention
The active group will receive theta-burst TMS stimulation.
Group II: Sham TBS-DLPFCPlacebo Group1 Intervention
The sham group will receive sham theta-burst TMS stimulation.

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Stanford UniversityLead Sponsor
2,487 Previous Clinical Trials
17,516,643 Total Patients Enrolled
Alan F. Schatzberg, MDPrincipal InvestigatorStanford University
David Spiegel, MDPrincipal InvestigatorStanford University
11 Previous Clinical Trials
1,717 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

TBS-DLPFC (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT04739969 — N/A
Major Depressive Disorder Research Study Groups: Active TBS-DLPFC, Sham TBS-DLPFC
Major Depressive Disorder Clinical Trial 2023: TBS-DLPFC Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT04739969 — N/A
TBS-DLPFC (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT04739969 — N/A
Major Depressive Disorder Patient Testimony for trial: Trial Name: NCT04739969 — N/A
~22 spots leftby Dec 2025