Placebo brain zaps reveal power of expectation in depression
NCT ID NCT07397858
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study gives 25 depressed individuals aged 15-25 a fake version of accelerated transcranial magnetic stimulation (no real brain stimulation). The goal is to see how their beliefs and expectations about treatment change over time and whether those expectations influence mood, motivation, and cravings. Participants complete MRI scans and questionnaires before and after the sham treatment, with follow-ups at 1 and 4 weeks.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
sham transcranial magnetic stimulation (no active stimulation)
What this could lead to
If successful, this study could help researchers understand how much of a treatment's effect comes from a person's expectations, which may improve the design of future depression therapies.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage study with only 25 participants and no active treatment. It is designed to measure expectations, not to treat depression, so it will not directly lead to a new therapy.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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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.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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UC Davis Medical Center
RECRUITINGSacramento, California, 95817, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••