Can a brain ZAP lift depression in young women?
NCT ID NCT06746857
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called iTBS to help ease depression in young women aged 16 to 24. Eight female participants will receive the treatment to see if it improves mood and brain function. The goal is to find a new way to reduce depression symptoms without medication.
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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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About 8 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Feb 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Aug 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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16 to 24 years
- Sex
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Female participants only
- 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. are assigned female sex at birth; 2. are 16yo to 24yo; 3. outpatients; 4. are competent to assent (those age 16-18) or consent to participate (those age 19-24); 5. have a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth edition (DSM 5) diagnosis of Major Depressive Episode by Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) version 7.0.0 for participants aged 18-24 and Adolescents (MINI-KID) for participants aged 16-17; 6. have a score ≥ 18 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17 item) or Depressive symptom severity as shown by a total Children's Depression Rating Scale Revised (CDRS-R) score 40; 7. have not changed dose or initiated a new regular antidepressant or antidepressant augmentation treatment(s) for 4 weeks prior to starting TMS treatment; 8. are able to adhere to the treatment schedule; 9. pass both the TMS and MRI adult safety screening questionnaires. Exclusion Criteria: 1. have Moderate or Severe Substance Use Disorder (except tobacco) within the last three (3) months; 2. have a concomitant major unstable medical illness; 3. have active suicidal intent; 4. have not responded to 2 or more adequate trials of antidepressant medication in the current episode as meassured by the ATHF form 5. are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study period; 6. have a lifetime (MINI) diagnosis of any psychotic disorder; 7. have a MINI anxiety disorder or personality disorder assessed by a study investigator to be primary and causing greater impairment than MDE; 8. have previously had ECT or rTMS; 9. have any significant neurological disorder or any significant head trauma with clear radiological evidence of cerebrovascular injury on imaging. 10. have any intracranial implant (e.g., aneurysm clips) or any other metal object within or near the head, excluding the mouth, that cannot be safely removed; 11. have history of epilepsy 12. are participating in standardized regular psychotherapy provided by a psychiatrist or a registered psychologist for less than 3 months prior to study entry or planning to start during the course of rTMS treatments; 13. have a clinically significant laboratory abnormality, in the opinion of the one of the principal investigators; 14. have a non-correctable clinically significant sensory impairment (i.e., cannot hear well enough to cooperate with interview);
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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
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The official record
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A doctor treating you
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