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Magnetic brain pulses aim to quiet suicidal urges

NCT ID NCT04130958

Disease control Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

What the study statuses mean

This study's is highlighted.

Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed This study
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
The full record has not been published yet, so there is little to show here.
Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Jul 14, 2026 · Last updated Jul 15, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether a noninvasive brain stimulation technique called iTBS-TMS can reduce suicide risk in adults with major depression or borderline personality disorder who are experiencing suicidal thoughts. Participants receive either real or sham (placebo) stimulation to a brain region linked to suicide risk. The goal is to see if this approach changes brain activity and lowers suicidal behavior.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
intermittent theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (iTBS-TMS), a noninvasive brain stimulation technique using a magnetic coil to activate specific brain regions
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a new, noninvasive treatment to lower suicide risk in people with depression or borderline personality disorder.
What could go wrong
This is an early-stage study with a small number of participants, so results may not apply broadly. The sham (placebo) group helps test effectiveness, but the treatment may not reduce suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

75 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Nov 2023

Finished

May 2026

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 65 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * 18-65 years of age * Diagnosed with BPD or MDE * Chief complaint of suicidal thoughts and behaviors Exclusion Criteria: * Neurological conditions with known structural brain lesion * Prior neurosurgical procedure * Metal in the body that is ferromagnetic or metal injury to the eyes * Epilepsy * Implanted pacemaker, medication pump, vagal stimulator, deep brain stimulator, TENS unit, or ventriculo-peritoneal shunt * Psychopathology not appropriate for the treatment (e.g., manic episode or psychosis) * Current alcohol dependence or active symptoms of non-alcohol psychoactive substance use withdrawal, as indicated by self-report * Inability to meet the safety criteria for MRI scanning according to the protocols of the MGH Department of Radiology * Current pregnancy

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

borderline personality disorder major depressive disorder Suicide

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Borderline personality disorder Major depressive episode Suicide

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02129, United States

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