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Adderall-XR with TMS for Major Depressive Disorder

This study is looking at whether Adderall-XR (amphetamine), when given with repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) therapy, can help people with Major Depressive Disorder (severe depression). You could join if you are 18-65 years old, have major depression, and haven't responded to at least two previous antidepressant treatments. Participants will be randomly assigned to take either 15 mg of Adderall-XR daily or an identical-looking placebo (sugar pill) for 21 days, starting two weeks before and continuing through the first 10 rTMS treatments. The study aims to see how much your self-reported depression symptoms change over about four weeks.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 30 participants. It is a blinded study, meaning neither you nor the researchers will know if you are receiving Adderall-XR or a placebo.
What's involved
You would take a pill daily for 21 days and complete several assessments, including self-rated and clinician-rated depression scales, over approximately four weeks.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your depression symptoms will be measured up to 4 weeks after starting the study, with 6 assessments from the beginning to the end of the study.

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NCT04509102

Psychostimulant Augmentation of Repetitive TMS for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

Enrolling by Invitation
EARLY_PHASE1Ages 18–65InterventionalTreatment
University of California, Los Angeles
~30 participants
Updated 2026-02-03 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Adderall-XRPlacebo

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Mean Percent Change in Self-rated Inventory of Depressive Symptoms
Measured over up to 4 weeks- 6 assessments from baseline to study completion

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder

Explore related trials

Unipolar Depression

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
California1

Study leadership

  • Scott Wilke, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · UCLA Semel

Who to contact

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

All subjects will be between the ages of 18-65 and will meet DSM-V criteria for a current episode of major depressive disorder.
Meet criteria for treatment resistance as defined by lack of response to two prior antidepressant trials at adequate dosage and duration. Participants may use any psychotropic medications other than psychostimulants or benzodiazepines, and may continue these medications during the study.
The outside treating psychiatrist must agree that enrollment in the study is safe and acceptable for the subject.

Exclusion

Inability to give informed consent
Lifetime diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder
Lifetime diagnosis of major depressive disorder with psychotic features, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or any other psychotic disorder
History of psychotic symptoms
Lifetime diagnosis of substance use disorder
History of stimulant misuse or abuse
Active substance abuse
Anxiety, tension, or agitation that is of sufficient severity to make it difficult for the subjects to tolerate psychostimulants and/or 10 Hz rTMS treatment
Current use of psychostimulant medication
Current use of benzodiazepines
Current use of an Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) or use of an MAOI within the past two weeks
History of hypersensitivity to Adderall XR
History of intolerance of any psychostimulant medication
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or plans to become pregnant during the study period
Glaucoma
Presence of motor tics or family history of tic disorder
Symptomatic cardiovascular disease including hypertension, coronary artery disease, arteriosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmia
Hyperthyroidism
Structural cardiac abnormalities
Family history of sudden cardiac death in a first degree relative
History of epilepsy or seizure
History of stroke
History of brain tumor
Presence of any metal in the head
Presence of pacemaker or medical devices implanted close to the site of magnetic stimulation

What this trial measures

  • Mean Percent Change in Self-rated Inventory of Depressive Symptomsup to 4 weeks- 6 assessments from baseline to study completion

    Mean percent change in Self-rated Inventory of Depressive Symptoms assessment scores for subjects, compared between placebo and Adderall XR groups. The 30 item Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS) (Rush et al. 1986, 1996) assess the severity of depressive symptoms. It is a 30 -item questionnaire with scores ranging from 0-3 per time. Minimum and maximum values are 0 and 84, respectively. Higher score indicates a worsening in depressive symptoms and a lower score indicated an improvement in depressive symptoms.