Zapping the brain to feel joy again: new study tests personalized TMS for anhedonia

This study tested a noninvasive brain stimulation technique called accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (aiTBS) in 60 adults with anhedonic depression—a type of depression where people lose interest or pleasure in things. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a personalized version based on their own brain activity, a standard version, or a sham (fake) treatment over one week. The goal was to see if the personalized approach better improves mood and the ability to feel pleasure.