Precision brain zapping: new hope for stubborn depression?

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * DSM-5 diagnosis of major depressive disorder confirmed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI30) Axis 1 and mood modules * Treatment-resistant MDD during the current major depressive episode documented in the MGH Antidepressant Treatment History Questionnaire (ATRQ31), which will be defined as being non-responders (less than 50% of symptom improvement) to two or more depression treatment trials of adequate dose and duration as defined by the MGH ATRQ. * At least moderate depression severity, operationalized as Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score ≥ 20 Exclusion Criteria: * Ever met criteria for a psychotic disorder (Sz, SzAff, Bipolar disorder) * Anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa within the last year * Unstable medical condition by history, physical exam or laboratory results * Currently pregnant or breastfeeding women; fecund women not using adequate contraceptive methods or with plan to become pregnant * Contraindications to MRI (based on metal screening form) * Meets criteria for claustrophobia * Recent drug or alcohol use disorder with DSM-5 specifier of moderate or severe within 6 months, or mild within 2 months; or lifetime history of IV drug use A- ctively suicidal, as defined by expressive ideation with a plan or with suicidal ideation that requires immediate medical or treatment intervention. * Neurological or neuromuscular disorder * Requires medications for a general medical condition that contraindicate the TMS treatment * Prior non-response to ECT, vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) or deep brain stimulation (DBS) * History of ketamine treatment within 6 months * History of monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past month * Lacks capacity to consent * Taking medications that increase the risk of seizures. * For patients on permitted concomitant psychotropic agents (antidepressants, anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines, hypnotics, opiates, triiodothyronine (T3), modafinil, psychostimulants, buspirone, melatonin, omega-3 fatty acids, folate, l-methylfolate, s-adenosyl methionine, lithium) dosing must be stable for at least four weeks prior to study entry and patients must agree to continue at the same dose during the study