Could magnetic brain zaps ease hoarding and depression?
NCT ID NCT05985356
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This small study tested whether a type of brain stimulation called iTBS could help people who have both hoarding disorder and depression. Fourteen adults received 20 sessions over 4 weeks. Researchers measured changes in hoarding and depression symptoms, as well as brain connectivity. The goal was to see if this non-invasive treatment could improve both conditions at once.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) - a type of brain stimulation using magnetic pulses
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new, non-drug treatment option for people struggling with both hoarding disorder and depression.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early study with only 14 people, so results may not apply to everyone. It's also completed, so no further testing is planned yet.
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
-
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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Aug 2023
- Finished
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Apr 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 70 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: 1. Signed and dated informed consent form 2. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study 3. Male, female, or non-gender conforming individuals (i.e. those who do not identify as male or female) 4. All racial and ethnic groups 5. Ages 18 to 70 6. Meets criteria for current Major Depressive Episode within the context of Major Depressive Disorder, per HAM-D and DIAMOND. 7. Meets criteria for current Hoarding Disorder, per SIHD 8. Score of 18 or higher on the HAMD-17, indicating moderate to severe depressive symptoms 9. Stable on psychiatric medications for 6 weeks, with no changes to psychiatric medications expected during the study period 10. No contraindications to TMS (passes the TMS Adult Safety Screening questionnaire) 11. No contraindications to MRI (passes MRI safety screening questionnaire) 12. Able to commit to the treatment schedule 13. Able to complete assessment procedures in English 14. Intact decision-making capacity and ability to provide voluntary informed consent Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of other neurological condition including but not limited to: conditions associated with increased intracranial pressure; space occupying brain lesions; cerebral aneurysm; stroke; transient ischemic attack within past two years; Parkinson's disease; Huntington's disease; dementia; multiple sclerosis; history of brain surgery; epilepsy; seizure except those therapeutically induced by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or a febrile seizure of infancy 2. Implanted medical devices that are not explicitly recognized as MRI safe, including cardiac pacemaker, medication pump, aneurysm clip, shunt, stimulator, cochlear implant, electrodes, or any other metal object within or near the head (excluding the mouth) that cannot be safely removed 3. Active manic or psychotic illness per DIAMOND 4. Current substance use disorder per DIAMOND 5. Current active suicidal or spontaneously disclosed homicidal ideation. Active suicidal ideation for this study is defined as a score of 3 or greater on the HAMD-17 and/or 3 or more on the PHQ-9. 6. Pregnant or intending to become pregnant within the study period; breastfeeding 7. Other sensory conditions or illnesses precluding participation in assessments or treatment 8. Current dose of lorazepam 2 mg or greater daily (or benzodiazepine equivalent) or any anticonvulsant due to the potential to limit iTBS efficacy 9. Taking medication that lowers seizure threshold 10. Previous failed treatment with rTMS, iTBS, or ECT
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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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UC San Diego
La Jolla, California, 92093, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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