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Zapping the brain to beat the blahs: new study targets anhedonia
NCT ID NCT06132581
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Sep 01, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tACS can improve goal-directed behavior in people with depression who have lost interest in activities (anhedonia). 72 participants will receive five daily sessions of stimulation. The goal is to see if the stimulation changes brain activity patterns linked to motivation and pleasure.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment for anhedonia in depression.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage study with only 72 participants. It tests whether the stimulation changes brain activity, not yet whether it works as a treatment. Results may not lead to a therapy.
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
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 72 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jan 2024
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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: * Between the ages of 18 and 65 * Able to provide informed consent * Have normal to corrected vision * Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study * Speak and understand English * Mild suicide risk as determined by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D; less than 3 for the suicidality item) and non-existent or mild risk according to the Depression Symptom Index Suicidality Subscale (DSI-SS). * Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) greater than or equal to 8 prior to the first session * Snaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) greater than 33 at the first session * A diagnosis of major depressive disorder on the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for the DSM-V (MINI) Exclusion Criteria: * ADHD (currently under treatment) * Neurological disorders and conditions including, but not limited to history of epilepsy; seizures, except childhood febrile seizures; dementia; history of stroke; Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral aneurysm; brain tumors * Medical or neurological illness or treatment for a medical disorder that could interfere with study participation. For example, unstable cardiac disease, HIV/AIDS, malignancy, liver or renal impairment * Prior brain surgery * Any brain devices/implants including cochlear implants and aneurysm clips, cardiac pacemaker, or any other implanted electronic device * History of current traumatic brain injury * Pregnancy (for females) * Current severe substance use disorder * Claustrophobia * Based on the use of MRI, additional exclusion/inclusion criteria are considered. Note that many contraindications for stimulation are common with MRI and thus are not repeated. Participants must not have metal in the body that is ferrous, will be required to remove all jewelry, must not have tattoos on the face or neck, must refrain from wearing metal in clothing (underwire) or active gear (possibility of metallic microparticle technology), must not be a metal worker or have an eye injury involving metal. * Anything that in the opinion of the investigator would place the participant at increased risk or preclude the participant's full compliance with or completion of the study * DSM-V diagnosis of present moderate or severe substance use disorder or alcohol use disorder, and past severe substance use disorder or alcohol use disorder, or psychotic disorder within the last 12 months
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Florida State University
RECRUITINGTallahassee, Florida, 32306, United States
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