Electric brain zap tames mania in small trial
NCT ID NCT05445466
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a non-invasive brain stimulation technique to reduce mania symptoms in people with bipolar or schizoaffective disorder. Fourteen participants with mild-to-moderate mania received targeted electrical stimulation to brain areas linked to impulse control and risk-taking. The goal was to see if this approach could safely lower manic symptoms without the side effects of standard medications.
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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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14 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Dec 2022
- Finished
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Jun 2025
- 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.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Aged 18-65 years of age 2. Proficient in English 3. Able to give informed consent 4. Meet diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type as verified by the SCID 5. History of mania ( \>1 lifetime episode) 6. Experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of mania 7. No changes to mood stabilizing medications for a period of 2 weeks prior to participation 8. Has not recently participated in tES/TMS treatments Exclusion Criteria: 1. Substance abuse or dependence (w/in past 6 months) 2. Those who are pregnant/breastfeeding 3. History of head injury with \> 15 minutes of loss of consciousness/mal sequelae 4. DSM-V intellectual disability 5. Having a non-removable ferromagnetic metal within the body (particularly in the head) 6. History of seizures
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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
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Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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