Brain zaps tailored to you: new hope for tough depression?
NCT ID NCT04040062
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This pilot study tests whether a personalized form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is feasible and safe for people with severe major depressive disorder who haven't improved with multiple medications or therapy. Ten participants will receive up to 30 TMS sessions over 6 weeks, with the stimulation frequency tailored to each individual's brain activity. The goal is to see if this customized approach is practical and tolerable, not yet to prove it works.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a more personalized TMS treatment for people with severe depression who haven't responded to other therapies.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small pilot study with only 10 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. It's testing feasibility, not effectiveness, and the personalized approach may not work better than standard TMS.
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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About 10 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2019
- Expected to finish
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Oct 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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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.
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: * All subjects must be over between 18-65 years of age. * Must have confirmed diagnosis of severe Major Depressive Disorder (single or recurrent episode). * Failure to respond to a minimum of 4 trials of antidepressant medication * Failure to respond from at least two different agent classes * Accompanied by at least two evidence-based augmentation therapies (Benzodiazepines do not count). * Must have a trial of psychotherapy known to be effective in the treatment of MDD of an adequate frequency and duration. * Subjects are willing and able to adhere to the treatment schedule and required study visits Exclusion Criteria: * Are mentally or legally incapacitated, unable to give informed consent * Have an infection or poor skin condition over the scalp where the device will be positioned * Have increased risk of seizure because of family history, stroke, or currently use medications that lead to increased risk for seizure * Diagnosis of acute or chronic psychotic symptoms or disorders (such as schizophrenia, schizophreniform or schizoaffective disorder) in the current depressive episode. * Neurological conditions that include epilepsy, cerebrovascular disease, dementia, increased intracranial pressure, having a history of repetitive or severe head trauma, or with primary or secondary tumors in the central nervous system. * Presence of an implanted magnetic-sensitive medical device located less than or equal to 30 centimeters from the transcranial magnetic stimulation magnetic coil or other implanted metal items, including but not limited to a cochlear implant, implanted cardioverter defibrillator, pacemaker, vagus nerve stimulator, or metal aneurysm clips or coils, staples, or stents. (Note: Dental amalgam fillings are not affected by the magnetic field and are acceptable for use with transcranial magnetic stimulation
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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
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of California
Los Angeles, California, 90024, United States
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