The purpose of this research is to understand how a neurostimulation technique, transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), affects brain function in adults with major depression measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This study targets a specific kind of tES called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), where a mild, constant current is passed between electrodes placed on the scalp.
This is an investigator-initiated MRI research study of a noninvasive neurostimulation technique, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) using focal "high definition" (HD) electrodes positioned using pre-treatment MRI. Primary objective is to measure changes in brain function during MRI-guided HDtDCS with MRI. Secondary objective is to measure changes in depressive symptoms after five consecutive days of MRI-guided tDCS (20 minutes per session).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
26
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) uses a mild electrical current to make small (or subtle) changes to how the brain works (or functions).
Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
CTI Northwestern
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Changes in brain functional connectivity
Functional MRI will measure changes in brain function during tDCS. Specifically, the investigators will measure change in functional connectivity of prefrontal cortex (% change in Fisher's z).
Time frame: Acute/immediate
Changes in depressive symptoms (Hamilton)
Symptoms of depression will be measured before and after 5 sessions of tDCS using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS 17-item). Change HDRS score will be used as a secondary outcome measure. Score range is 0-53, where low scores indicate low symptoms.
Time frame: 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month
Changes in depressive symptoms (Beck)
Symptoms of depression will be measured before and after 5 sessions of tDCS using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Change BDI score will be used as a secondary outcome measure. Score range is 0-62, where low scores indicate low symptoms.
Time frame: 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month
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