Brain scans could make TMS for depression more precise
NCT ID NCT05680727
First seen Jul 07, 2026 · Last updated Aug 26, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study tests whether using brain scans to guide transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) works better than standard head measurements for treating depression. Participants with major depressive disorder receive accelerated TMS, but they won't know if their treatment spot was chosen by neuroimaging or by traditional methods. The goal is to see if personalized targeting improves depression scores one month after treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that personalized brain imaging improves TMS outcomes for depression, leading to more effective treatments.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small Phase 2 trial, so results may not apply to everyone. The benefit of imaging-guided targeting may be small or absent, and TMS can cause headache or scalp discomfort.
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
-
Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
40 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jul 2023
- Finished
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Feb 2026
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
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 80 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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: * English proficiency sufficient for informed consent, questionnaires/tasks, and treatment * Primary diagnosis of major depressive disorder per Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-V criteria (MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview) * \>20 on BDI * \>20 on the MADRS 10, 11 * Moderate to severe level of treatment resistance (Maudsley Staging Method) * Stable antidepressant medication regimen, or remain medication free, for 4 weeks prior to treatment and to remain on this regimen throughout the study (including all follow-up assessments after the 5-day treatment protocol). * Primary clinician responsible for psychiatric care before, during, and after the trial * Agreement to lifestyle considerations * Abstain from becoming pregnant from screening through end of treatment * Continue usual intake patterns of caffeine- or xanthine-containing products (e.g., coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate) throughout treatment * Abstain from alcohol for at least 24 hours before the start of each MRI and TMS session * Abstain from tobacco products during treatment day Exclusion Criteria: * Active pregnancy as determined by a urine pregnancy test * Primary psychiatric diagnosis other than major depressive disorder requiring treatment other than comorbid anxiety disorder * Those who did not respond to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) after 8 sessions * Recent (within 4 weeks) or concurrent use of rapid acting antidepressant agent (ketamine/esketamine/ECT) * History of: * Prior exposure to TMS * Neurosurgical intervention for depression * Autism spectrum disorder * Intellectual disability * Severe cognitive impairment * Significant neurological illness (e.g., dementia, Parkinson's, Huntington's, brain tumor, seizure disorder, subdural hematoma, multiple sclerosis, brain lesion) * Untreated or insufficiently treated endocrine disorder * Treatment with investigational drug or intervention during the study period * Depth-adjusted TMS treatment dose \> 65% maximum stimulator output * ≥ 30% change in MADRS score between screening and baseline * Anyone presenting with: * Mania or hypomania * Psychosis * Active suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt (defined by C-SSRS) within the past year * Neurological lesion * Contraindications to either TMS or MRI (e.g., metallic implants, severe insomnia \> 4 hours per night with hypnotic, etc.). * Current moderate or severe substance use disorder or demonstrating signs of acute substance withdrawal * Positive urine drug screen for illicit substances * Severe borderline personality disorder * Any other condition deemed by the PI to interfere with the study or increase risk to the participant
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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
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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