Zapping the brain to tame bipolar mood swings?

NCT ID NCT04284267

Completed Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, could improve emotion regulation in people with bipolar disorder. Fifty-six participants, including healthy controls, underwent brain scans while performing tasks designed to measure emotional control. The goal was to understand how TMS affects brain activity related to emotion regulation, not to provide a 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 point toward a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment to help people with bipolar disorder better manage their emotions.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study focused on understanding brain activity, not testing a proven treatment. Results may not lead to a direct therapy or apply to all patients.

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.

bipolar disorder bipolar I disorder Emotional Regulation

As listed by the trial registrant

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

BIPOLAR DISORDER

Contacts and locations

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Locations

Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging

Charlestown, Massachusetts, 02129, United States

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