Can magnetic pulses sharpen a bipolar brain?
NCT ID NCT05964777
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether a combination of two brain stimulation techniques—repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)—could improve cognitive function in people with bipolar disorder who are in remission. 116 participants received either real or sham stimulation. The goal was to see if targeting specific brain areas could help with memory, attention, and thinking speed.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) and tACS (transcranial alternating current stimulation) devices
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a non-drug treatment to help with memory and focus problems in people with bipolar disorder.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with no phase, so results may not be conclusive. The effect may be small or not last long, and not everyone may benefit.
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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116 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jul 2023
- Finished
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Aug 2024
- 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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14 to 45 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\. Age 14-45 years old, regardless of gender\] 2.Meet DSM-V diagnostic criteria for bipolar depressive in remission 3.Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) ≤ 6 points; 4.Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD-17)≤7 points; 5.Cognitive deficit questionnaire PDQ≥17 points; 6.Han nationality, right-handed; 7.More than 9 years of education. Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of severe somatic or brain organic diseases and craniocerebral trauma; 2. Abnormal brain structure or any MRI contraindications were found by magnetic resonance examination; 3. Those who do not cooperate or cannot effectively complete the experiment; 4. Drug, alcohol or other psychoactive substance abusers; 5. Pregnant, lactating or planned pregnancy; 6. ECT or rTMS or tACS treatment was performed within six 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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, China