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Observational Study of Brain Networks and Sleep During ECT for Depression

This study is looking at how Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) affects brain activity and sleep in people with Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD). Researchers want to understand how ECT changes brain networks and sleep patterns. You would undergo high-density Electroencephalography (EEG), which measures brain waves, before each ECT session while awake. You would also have overnight sleep EEG recordings using a DREEM device before each ECT session. The study aims to see how sleep slow-wave activity and brain network efficiency change during ECT treatment. This study is for individuals aged 21 to 65 who are receiving ECT for depression that hasn't responded to at least two other antidepressant medications. The study plans to enroll 50 participants.

Study design
This is an observational study, meaning researchers will collect information without giving new treatments. It plans to include 50 participants.
What's involved
You would have high-density EEG recordings while awake and overnight sleep EEG recordings before each ECT session.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Measurements will be taken for up to 4 weeks during your ECT treatment course.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05905705

Disruptions of Brain Networks and Sleep by Electroconvulsive Therapy

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 21–65Observational
Washington University School of Medicine
~50 participants
Updated 2026-03-12 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Electroencephalography (EEG)Quantitative Measurements of Sleep Microstructure

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Slow wave activity (SWA) during non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) stage N2/N3
Measured over Up to 4 weeks during patients ECT treatment course
+2 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Treatment Resistant Depression

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Bipolar DisorderUnipolar Depression

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Missouri1

Study leadership

  • MohammadMehdi Kafashan · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

Who to contact

Robby Greenspan
[email protected]
314-273-6129
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Referral for initial ECT index course for Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD), unipolar major depressive disorder or bipolar depression. Historic failure of response or remission to at least two antidepressant medications of sufficient dose and duration will be used for TRD diagnostic.

Exclusion

Diagnoses of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders.
Subjects who are unable to tolerate the Dreem device for sleep recordings will be excluded from the study.

What this trial measures

  • Slow wave activity (SWA) during non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) stage N2/N3Up to 4 weeks during patients ECT treatment course

    Total power of EEG slow waves per minute present during N2/N3 sleep

  • Graph-based neural connectivity measure of local efficiency of information transfer (Elocal) during wakefulnessUp to 4 weeks during patients ECT treatment course

    Elocal will be calculated as the average inverse shortest path length among neighbors of a node within the network. Nodes will be constructed based on 5-minute recordings of eyes closed wakefulness theta band (4-8 Hz) EEG.

  • Graph-based neural connectivity measure of global information transfer (Eglobal) during ECT-induced seizureUp to 4 weeks during patients ECT treatment course

    Eglobal will be calculated as the average inverse shortest path length between node pairs in the networks. Nodes will be constructed based on ECT-induced seizure EEG data within the alpha band (8-13 Hz).