5-Day brain zaps could lift depression fast
NCT ID NCT07487454
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether 5 days of accelerated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can quickly reduce depression symptoms. 264 adults with major depressive disorder will receive either real or sham stimulation, along with brain scans and mood tracking. The goal is to see if this rapid treatment works and how it changes brain activity.
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 stimulation (iTBS) via transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a fast, non-invasive treatment option for major depression that reduces symptoms within days.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage study with no phase designation, so results may not confirm effectiveness. The sham group helps control for placebo effects, but individual responses vary.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
UC Davis Medical Center
Sacramento, California, 95817, United States
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