This randomized trial with a crossover design will examine the efficacy of rTMS targeting the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex as a treatment for medication-resistant major depression in patients meeting diagnostic criteria for borderline personality disorder.
Patients meeting standard DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for borderline personality disorder, who also meet diagnostic criteria for a major depressive episode that has not responded to medication, will be eligible for inclusion. In a study with a randomized crossover design, they will undergo a course of either either active followed by sham or sham followed by active treatment. Each phase (active or sham) will involve 15 days of rTMS targeting the bilateral dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, 5x weekly, twice-daily with sessions 1 hour apart, using 20 Hz stimulation. Followup visits will occur at 1, 4, and 12 weeks after both courses of treatment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
20
Active or sham rTMS targeting the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, 20 Hz stimulation, 120% resting motor threshold, 1500 pulses per hemisphere, using a MagVenture R30 stimulator and Cool-DB80 coil.
Toronto Western Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
HRSD-17 change
The change in the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression from baseline to first followup (1 week post treatment) for period 1 and 2 of the treatment
Time frame: baseline to first followup (1 week post treatment), 3 months post-treatment
ZAN-BPD change
The change in the Zanarini Rating Scale for Borderline Personality Disorder from baseline to first followup (1 week post treatment) for period 1 and 2 of the treatment
Time frame: baseline to first followup (1 week post treatment), 3 months post-treatment
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