Placebo brain zaps reveal power of expectation in depression

NCT ID NCT07397858

Recruiting now Knowledge-focused Sponsor: University of California, Davis Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026 · Updated 2 times

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.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Depression depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

DEPRESSION HEALTHY PARTICIPANTS

Contacts and locations

Locations

UC Davis Medical Center
RECRUITING

Sacramento, California, 95817, United States

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