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Optimizing Brain Excitability in Depression Study

This study is looking for people aged 18 to 65 with major depressive disorder to help improve depression treatment. Researchers are testing different ways to deliver transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. They are comparing standard TMS with a new method called TARGET-optimized TMS, which adjusts stimulation in real-time based on your brain activity. They are also using a non-optimized TMS and a sham TMS (a fake treatment that feels similar but doesn't stimulate the brain). The main goal is to see how these different TMS methods change brain activity, specifically certain electrical signals called TEPs, measured by EEG (a test that records brain waves). The study aims to enroll 145 participants, but its current status is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive specific treatments. It aims to enroll 145 participants.
What's involved
You would undergo transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and have your brain activity recorded using EEG (electroencephalogram) at different times, including at baseline, after 20 minutes, and after 6 hours of TMS.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants are followed for changes in brain activity after 20 minutes and 6 hours of TMS.

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

NCT07242105

Optimizing Brain Excitability in Depression

Recruiting
NAAges 18–65InterventionalBasic science
Stanford University
~145 participants
Updated 2026-02-10 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Active Single-Pulse TMSSham Single-Pulse TMSTARGET-optimized TMSNon-optimized (Open-Loop) TMSEEG RecordingIntracranial EEG (iEEG) Recording

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Changes in Anterior EL-TEP Amplitude after single-pulse TMS (spTMS)
Measured over Baseline, end of spTMS (6 hours)
+2 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder

Explore related trials

Seizure DisorderUnipolar Depression

Where it's being run

2 sites across 1 states
California2

Study leadership

  • Corey J Keller, MD, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Stanford University

Who to contact

Jade T Truong, BS
[email protected]
408-840-3313
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Men and women, ages 18 to 65
Diagnosis of major depressive disorder, assessed through a Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5)
In a current depressive episode, assessed through a Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) (SCID-5)
Moderate-to-severe depression as indicated by a score between 11-20 on the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms (QIDS)
Must comprehend English well to ensure adequate comprehension of the EEG and TMS instructions, and of clinical scales
No current or history of neurological disorders
No seizure disorder or risk of seizures
Neurosurgical patients: Men and women ages 18-65 with medication-refractory epilepsy who are admitted for phase II intracranial monitoring to detect a seizure focus will be considered appropriate for this study. Participants must have the intellectual capacity to understand the consent process and agree to the study.

Exclusion

Those with a contraindication for MRIs (e.g. implanted metal)
History of head trauma with loss of consciousness
History of seizures or on medications that reduce seizure threshold (e.g., olanzapine, chlorpromazine, lithium)
Neurological or uncontrolled medical disease
Any unstable medical condition
Active substance abuse
Diagnosis of psychotic or bipolar disorder
A prior history of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) failure
History of suicide attempt in the past year
Currently pregnant or breastfeeding
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) treatment in the past six months

What this trial measures

  • Changes in Anterior EL-TEP Amplitude after single-pulse TMS (spTMS)Baseline, end of spTMS (6 hours)

    Changes in Early Local TMS-Evoked Potentials (EL-TEP) following 6 hours of either active or sham spTMS between optimized and non-optimized stimulation conditions in the anterior dlPFC.

  • Changes in Posterior EL-TEP Amplitude after spTMSBaseline, end of spTMS (6 hours)

    Changes in Early Local TMS-Evoked Potentials (EL-TEP) following 6 hours of either active or sham spTMS between optimized and non-optimized stimulation conditions in the posterior dlPFC.

  • Changes in intracranial TMS-Evoked Potential (iTEP) Amplitude after TMS-iEEGBaseline, end of spTMS (20 minutes)

    Changes in the interaction between gyral/sulcal targets and coil angles (45 vs 90 degrees) on local dlPFC iTEP amplitude.