Heartbeat is controlled by the brain and is regular but flexible to change in response to environmental and internal stimuli. This feature is known as heart rate variability (HRV). Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been associated with diminished HRV and this is a reflection of abnormal brain function caused by MDD. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a treatment that stimulates specific areas of the brain. The goal of this study is to test the hypothesis that rTMS induces changes in connectivity between the area of the brain stimulated with rTMS and deeper areas in the brain associated to heart rate regulation. 110 patients with TRD will be recruited and will undergo a concurrent TMS-fMRI session before receiving a course of iTBS to the L-DLPFC for 30 sessions at 120% rMT.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
110
This study utilizes intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) to the left DLPFC.
Non-Invasive Neurostimulation Therapies (NINET) Laboratory, UBC Department of Psychiatry
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Change from Baseline in Depressive Symptoms using HDRS-17 Scale at Week 10
The 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HRSD-17) will be used as the primary outcome measure as well as the tool to establish severity cut off for eligibility (Hamilton, 1960). The scoring ranges from 0-52, with higher scores indicating more severe depression symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 10
Change from Baseline in Anxiety Symptoms using HAM-A Scale at Week 10
The 14-item Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) will be used as a secondary outcome measure in this study. The scoring of this assessment ranges from 0-56, with higher scores indicating more severe anxiety symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 10
Change from Baseline in Depressive Symptoms using QIDS-16 Scale at Week 10
The self-rated 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms (QIDS-16) will be used as a secondary outcome measure in this study. The scoring of this assessment ranges from 0-27, with higher scores indicating more severe depression symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 10
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