Tailored magnetic pulses aim to restore pleasure in depressed patients

NCT ID NCT05537285

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tested a personalized form of brain stimulation for people with depression who no longer feel pleasure (anhedonia). Sixty adults received either individualized, standard, or fake magnetic pulses to the brain over one week. The goal was to see if tailoring the stimulation to each person's brain activity could better improve mood and restore enjoyment.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (aiTBS) using a magnetic coil device

What this could lead to

If successful, this could lead to a more effective, personalized brain stimulation treatment for people with depression who have lost interest or pleasure in activities.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage study (60 people) comparing different types of stimulation. The results may not apply to everyone with depression, and the benefits might be modest or temporary.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Anhedonia bipolar II disorder endogenous depression major depressive disorder melancholia

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • UCSD Interventional Psychiatry

    San Diego, California, 92127, United States