This study evaluates an accelerated schedule of theta-burst stimulation using a transcranial magnetic stimulation device for treatment-resistant depression. In a double-blind fashion, half the participants will receive accelerated theta-burst stimulation while half will receive sham treatment.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an established therapy for treatment-resistant depression. The approved method for treatment is 10Hz stimulation for 40 min over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L-DLPFC). This methodology has been effective in real world situations. The limitations of this approach include the duration of the treatment (approximately 40 minutes per treatment session, 5 days per week, for 4-8 weeks). Recently, researchers have pursued modifying the treatment parameters to reduce treatment times with some preliminary successes. This study aims to further modify the parameters to create a more rapid form of the treatment and look at the change in neuroimaging biomarkers.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
30
Participants in the active stimulation group will receive intermittent TBS to left DLPFC. The L-DLPFC will be targeted utilizing the Localite neuronavigation system. Stimulation intensity will be standardized at 90% of RMT and adjusted to the skull to cortical surface distance (see Nahas 2004). Stimulation will be delivered to the L-DLPFC using a MagPro stimulator.
The parameters in the active arms will be as above with the internal randomization of the device internally switching to sham in a blinded fashion.
All patients will have the option to receive active, open label aTBS treatment after the 1-month mark, following the blinded phase. Stimulation will be delivered to the L-DLPFC using a MagPro stimulator or Nexstim TMS device.
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine
Stanford, California, United States
Percentage Change in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Score From Pre-treatment to 1-month Post-treatment.
A ten item diagnostic questionnaire used to measure the severity of depressive episodes in patients with mood disorders.The MADRS has an overall score range from 0-60, with higher scores corresponding to higher levels of depression.
Time frame: Pretreatment (baseline), 1-month post-treatment
Percentage Change in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17)
A provider administered questionnaire used to assess remission and recovery from depression. The HAMD-17 is a 17-item questionnaire to assess depression severity. Each item is scored from 0-4, with higher scores representing increasing depression severity.
Time frame: pre-treatment (baseline) to 1-month post-treatment
Change in the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) Score
The Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is a questionnaire used for suicide assessment developed by multiple institutions including Columbia University. Participants were asked a series of 6 yes or no questions. Yes answers indicate more suicidal ideation. Here we report a count of participants with an increase, decrease or no change in suicidal ideation.
Time frame: Pretreatment (baseline) to immediately post-treatment (day 8).
Change in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-6) Score
The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS, also known as Ham-D) is the most widely used clinician-administered depression assessment scale. The Ham-6 version consists of 6 items assessing for: mood, guilt, general somatic symptoms, work and activities, anxiety and slowness of thought and speech). Each item is scored on a scale of 0 to 4, except for the somatic symptoms item, which is scored 0 to 2. On the HAM-6 there can be a total score of 22. Higher scores represent higher depression severity. Here, we report a count of participants with an overall increase, decrease or no change in total HAM-6 score. Participants with an increase in total score (row 3) would signify a worse outcome than participants with a decrease in total score.
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Time frame: Baseline (pre-treatment) and at 1-month post-treatment
Percentage Change in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17)
The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS, also known as Ham-D) is the most widely used clinician-administered depression assessment scale. The Ham-17 version consists of 17 items assessing for: mood, guilt, general somatic symptoms, work and activities, anxiety and slowness of thought and speech. Each item is scored on a scale of 0 to 4, except for the somatic, sleep and insight items which are scored 0 to 2. On the HAM-17 there can be a total score of 22. Higher scores represent higher depression severity.
Time frame: Pre-treatment (baseline) to immediately post-treatment (day 8).
Change From Baseline Functional Connectivity to Immediate Post-treatment
We quantified the functional connectivity change between the subcallosal cingulate to the default mode network and within the default mode network using baseline and immediate post-treatment MRI scans. We report below, changes of functional connectivity (Fisher's Z score of Pearson correlation coefficient for each pair of ROIs) from immediately post-treatment (day 8) to baseline.
Time frame: Pretreatment (baseline) to immediately post-treatment (day 8).
Change From Baseline Functional Connectivity to 1-month Post-treatment
We will assess functional connectivity as seen on resting state fMRI, between the subcallosal cingulate to the default mode network and within the default mode network. We report below, changes of functional connectivity (Fisher's Z score of Pearson correlation coefficient for each pair of ROIs) from post-treatment(1m) to baseline.
Time frame: Pretreatment (baseline) to 1-month post-treatment
Change in Baseline Heart Rate Variability to 1-month Post-treatment
Heart rate variability measures will be compared pre-treatment and 1-month post-treatment.
Time frame: Pretreatment to 1-month post-treatment
Change in Baseline Heart Rate Variability to Immediate Post-treatment
Heart rate variability measures will be compared pre-treatment and immediately post-treatment.
Time frame: Pretreatment to immediate post-treatment (day 8).