Brain zapping trial targets 'Rumination' in Tough-to-Treat depression
NCT ID NCT06511544
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This pilot study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called TMS can reduce rumination—repetitive negative thinking—in adults with treatment-resistant depression. Twenty participants will receive 20 TMS sessions targeting a specific brain region and undergo brain scans to see if brain activity changes. The goal is to understand if this approach can ease a common and distressing symptom.
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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 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jan 2024
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2026
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 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: * Diagnosis of unipolar major depressive disorder without psychotic features by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and confirmed by study psychiatrist * First depressive episode prior to age 50 * Current moderate to severe depression, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) ≥17) * Failure to respond to ≥1 antidepressant medication at adequate dose and duration in the current depressive episode; (note: this criterion is designed to be consistent with the original 2008 FDA-labeled indication for TMS in Major Depressive Disorder, that specifies failure to respond to "one prior medication at or above the minimal effective dose and duration in the current episode" (https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh\_docs/pdf8/K083538.pdf). )) * Off psychotropic medications OR on a stable dose of medication(s) for 6 weeks, and willing to remain on stable medication dosage throughout the study * Capacity to consent * Ability to safely receive MRI Exclusion Criteria: * Actively/imminently suicidal, Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS) item 12 score \>2) * Current depressive episode duration \> 5 years * Presence of clinically significant psychiatric diagnoses other than unipolar, non-psychotic major depression, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) * Evidence of cognitive impairment, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) \< 23) * Significant substance use disorder within past 6 months * New-onset psychotherapy and/or somatic therapy (e.g., light therapy) within 6 weeks of screening * Prior exposure to any form of TMS * Have participated in any clinical trial with an investigational drug or device within the past 6 weeks prior to screening * Failure to respond to Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) * Any history of neurosurgery to treat a neurologic or psychiatric disorder (e.g. Vagus nerve stimulation, cortical stimulation, deep brain stimulation, or ablative surgery) * Unstable medical illness * Evidence or history of significant neurological disorder, including moderate-severe head trauma, stroke, Parkinson's disease or other movement disorder (except benign essential tremor) * Epilepsy * History of seizures (except juvenile febrile seizures or provoked seizures at the PI's discretion) or any condition/concurrent medication that could notably lower seizure threshold * Pregnancy or planned pregnancy during the study * Presence of cardiac pacemaker, cochlear implant, or other implanted electronic device * Any vision problem that will prevent them from seeing the adjectives presented inside the MRI scanner without glasses
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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
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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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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Goodman Hall Neuroscience Center
RECRUITINGIndianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States