Brain zapping tailored to you: new study targets depression and anxiety

NCT ID NCT05437705

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study at the University of Pennsylvania is testing whether personalized brain stimulation can reduce negative emotions in people with depression and anxiety. Researchers will use brain scans to map each participant's negative emotion patterns, then apply different types of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to find the best frequency for disrupting those patterns. The goal is to see if the optimal stimulation can improve symptoms like rumination over two 3-day sessions.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could lead to a personalized brain stimulation treatment that reduces rumination and negative emotions in people with depression or anxiety.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage study with only 40 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The optimal stimulation frequency may not work better than the least optimal one.

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

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety anxiety disorder Depression major depressive disorder rumination disorder Rumination Syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ANXIETY MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER RUMINATION

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of Pennsylvania
RECRUITING

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

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