Brain implant zaps depression without wires
NCT ID NCT07684794
First seen Jul 06, 2026 · Last updated Jul 07, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests a small, programmable device implanted in the skull that stimulates the brain's left frontal area to treat depression that hasn't improved with multiple medications. Ten adults with major depressive disorder will receive the implant and be monitored for safety and mood changes. The goal is to see if this approach is safe and could help relieve symptoms.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Motif XCS System (implanted brain stimulator)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer a new, on-demand brain stimulation option for people with depression that hasn't responded to multiple medications.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small safety study with only 10 participants. The device requires surgery to implant electrodes in the skull, which carries risks like infection or side effects from stimulation. It may not improve depression.
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
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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
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About 10 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Aug 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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22 to 85 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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 Hide 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: 1. Has a diagnosis of unipolar non-psychotic Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and is currently experiencing a major depressive episode (MDE) as defined by DSM-5 2. Has a screening Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score of ≥20 3. Has not had a sustained response to 2 or more adequately dosed antidepressant treatments from at least 2 different antidepressant treatment classes in at least one episode of major depressive disorder, according to the Antidepressant Treatment History Form (ATHF) 4. Is willing and able to provide written informed consent 5. Is 22-85 years of age 6. Is willing and able to comply with the protocol, including follow-up visits 7. Has been on a stable psychiatric treatment regimen for 30 days before the study screening MADRS and is willing to maintain a stable psychiatric treatment regimen through the Week 4 follow-up visit Exclusion Criteria: 1. Has a cranial implant (with the exception of dental implants), neurostimulator, implanted medication pump, spinal cord stimulator, or pacemaker/implantable cardioverter-defibrillator 2. Has knowledge of planned magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) in the next 12 months, after implant 3. Is unable to undergo imaging with computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) 4. In the opinion of the investigator, the implant and therapy pose an unacceptable surgical or medical risk to the patient 5. Is currently taking blood thinners and cannot be taken off blood thinners 6. Has taken ketamine or esketamine in the past 30 days or is planning on taking ketamine or esketamine before the 4-week follow-up visit 7. Has taken hallucinogenic or dissociative medications in the past 30 days or is planning on taking hallucinogenic or dissociative medications for the treatment of mood or anxiety disorders before the 4-week follow-up visit 8. Has a history of bipolar disorder 9. Has a history of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or other psychotic disorder 10. Has psychotic features in the current depressive episode 11. Has a chronic and clinically significant neurological disorder (epilepsy, dementia, delirium, amnestic disorder, brain tumor), or neuroimaging findings that would potentially impact the efficacy of treatment (e.g., extensive white matter disease, demyelinating lesions, atrophy, brain tumor) 12. Currently taking medication that would alter the seizure threshold, increasing potential seizure risks 13. Has a history of brain injury that resulted in current cognitive impairment 14. Has a history of bony disorders that impact the safe and effective use of the device as well as device implantation 15. Has a history of skin disorders that impact the safe and effective use of the device as well as device implantation 16. Has failed all attempts to achieve at least 50% reduction in depressive symptoms after completion of approved treatment courses of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or TMS for treatment of MDD 17. Is planning to receive any other neuromodulation therapy (e.g., ECT, TMS, tDCS, tACS, DBS, VNS, or focused ultrasound) during the study 18. Meets the DSM-5 criteria for alcohol use disorder or other substance use disorder (not including tobacco/nicotine) within 12 months prior to study enrollment or, in the opinion of the investigator, is using illicit drugs recreationally or therapeutically which could impact the safety or effectiveness of the therapy 19. Female who is pregnant at the time of inclusion, or planning to become pregnant during the duration of the study, or not willing to use an effective method of birth control 20. Has a life expectancy less than 12 months 21. In the opinion of the investigator, is considered to be acutely suicidal (e.g., Type 4 or 5 on the C-SSRS) 22. In the investigator's opinion, any known comorbidity that would complicate the assessment of safety or prevent participation in follow-up visits Before implantation of the Motif DOT Implant, subjects must continue to meet all study eligibility criteria. Subjects must also meet the following additional criteria: 1. Psychiatric treatment regimen has remained stable 2. Has skull thickness ≥5.5 mm and ≤15.5 mm over the implant target
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
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