Theta Burst Stimulation for Teenage Depression

(SAINT-KID Trial)

Overseen By Elyse J Lemke

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Texas at Austin

Must not be taking: Antidepressants, Ketamine, ECT

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Anxiety, Bipolar, Autism, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 7

Duration: 1 week

40 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether a new therapy called SAINT®, a type of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), can effectively treat teenagers experiencing their first episode of depression. The researchers aim to determine if this non-invasive brain stimulation can relieve depression symptoms and serve as a practical first treatment option. Teens aged 14 to 19 who are currently dealing with depression, have not been treated for it before, and are not on antidepressants might be suitable candidates. Participants will undergo a series of treatments over a week, with symptoms assessed before and after the therapy. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for teens to explore a promising new treatment option early in its development.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

Yes, participants must remain antidepressant-free throughout the study, which means stopping any current antidepressant medications.

What prior data suggests that the SAINT® protocol is safe for treating adolescent depression?

Previous studies have found that a treatment called accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (aiTBS) is safe and well-tolerated. These studies examined aiTBS's effects on depression and anxiety, showing it to be more effective than a sham treatment in improving symptoms.

No major safety issues have been reported with aiTBS. Some participants in other studies experienced mild side effects, such as headaches or scalp discomfort, but these effects were temporary. Overall, the treatment appears safe for people with depression, including teenagers.

This evidence provides confidence that the SAINT® protocol, which uses aiTBS, is also likely safe for teens with depression. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Theta Burst Stimulation treatment for teenage depression because it offers a unique, rapid approach to alleviating symptoms. Unlike traditional antidepressants, which may take weeks to show effects, this treatment has the potential to deliver results in just five days through a series of non-invasive brain stimulation sessions. By using Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (SAINT®), the method targets brain activity patterns directly, potentially reducing depressive symptoms much faster than medications or talk therapy. Additionally, the trial is exploring two variations of this method: a "Truncated" version with fewer sessions and a "Standard" version with more, allowing researchers to evaluate the effectiveness of different intensities. This innovative technique could significantly change how we approach treating depression in teenagers, offering a quicker and potentially more effective option.

What evidence suggests that the SAINT® protocol is effective for treating teenage depression?

Research has shown that a treatment called accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (aiTBS), similar to the SAINT® protocol, may help with depression. This trial will compare two versions of the SAINT® protocol: Truncated SAINT® and Standard SAINT®. Studies have found that aiTBS can quickly and effectively reduce depression symptoms in teenagers compared to fake (inactive) treatments. Specifically, one study noted that aiTBS had strong antidepressant effects, especially noticeable after just two days of treatment. This therapy may also help reduce suicidal thoughts. Overall, these findings suggest that SAINT® could be an effective first choice for treating teenage depression. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Sean J O'Sullivan, M.D., Ph. D.

Principal Investigator

University of Texas at Austin

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for teens aged 14-19 with their first major depressive episode, who haven't had a full depression treatment before and can stay off antidepressants. They must be in good health, agree to lifestyle rules during the study, and have ongoing psychiatric care.

Inclusion Criteria

I can read and understand English well enough to follow study instructions and communicate with the study team.

I am between 14 and 19 years old.

I am generally healthy aside from my current condition.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive 5 days of aiTBS (SAINT®) with either 5 or 10 daily sessions

1 week

5 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in depressive symptoms at baseline and two follow-up visits

4 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (SAINT®)

Trial Overview

The trial tests SAINT®, an accelerated form of TMS therapy called aiTBS, as a potential first-line treatment for adolescent depression. Over 5 days, participants receive targeted brain stimulation and are monitored for changes in depression symptoms.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Truncated SAINT® Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

5 daily sessions (25 total over 5-days) of SAINT® stimulation (3-pulse 50-Hz bursts at 5-Hz for 2-second trains, with trains every 10 seconds), delivered with 50-minute inter-session intervals (10-minute sessions, 50-minutes in between sessions). Stimulation will be delivered at 90% of the resting motor threshold (with depth correction to account for the distance between the scalp and cortex).

Group II: Standard SAINT® Active Control 1 Intervention

10 daily sessions (50 total over 5-days) of SAINT® stimulation (3-pulse 50-Hz bursts at 5-Hz for 2-second trains, with trains every 10 seconds), delivered with 50-minute inter-session intervals (10-minute sessions, 50-minutes in between sessions). Stimulation will be delivered at 90% of the resting motor threshold (with depth correction to account for the distance between the scalp and cortex).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Texas at Austin

Lead Sponsor

Trials

387

Recruited

86,100+

Magnus Medical

Industry Sponsor

Trials

5

Recruited

1,100+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a randomized-controlled trial involving 32 patients with major depression, bilateral theta burst stimulation (TBS) to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex showed a significant increase in treatment response compared to sham stimulation, with 9 responders in the TBS group versus 4 in the sham group.

The study also indicated a trend towards higher remission rates in the TBS group as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory, suggesting that TBS may enhance the effectiveness of ongoing medication and psychotherapy in treating major depression.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment of major depression with bilateral theta burst stimulation: a randomized controlled pilot trial. Plewnia, C., Pasqualetti, P., Große, S., et al.[2018]

In a randomized controlled trial involving 56 patients with moderate to severe depression, bilateral theta-burst stimulation (TBS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) did not show significant improvements in depression scores compared to sham treatment.

However, there was a noted tendency for both active treatments to increase the responder rate, particularly for the TBS group, suggesting that further research may be needed to explore its potential benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bilateral prefrontal rTMS and theta burst TMS as an add-on treatment for depression: a randomized placebo controlled trial. Prasser, J., Schecklmann, M., Poeppl, TB., et al.[2015]

In a randomized, double-blind trial involving 56 patients, intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) over the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex showed a significant reduction in negative symptoms for patients with depression, but not for those with schizophrenia.

The treatment was generally safe and well-tolerated, with serious adverse events occurring only in the sham group, indicating that iTBS may be a promising intervention for depressive symptoms in certain patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dorsomedial prefrontal theta burst stimulation to treat anhedonia, avolition, and blunted affect in schizophrenia or depression - a randomized controlled trial. Bodén, R., Bengtsson, J., Thörnblom, E., et al.[2021]

In a study involving 50 patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (aiTBS) significantly reduced depression symptoms over time, indicating its potential efficacy as a noninvasive treatment option.

The treatment was associated with changes in brain network organization, specifically a reduction in modularity of structural networks, suggesting that aiTBS may promote beneficial neuroplasticity effects in the brain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation in major depression induces decreases in modularity: A connectome analysis. Caeyenberghs, K., Duprat, R., Leemans, A., et al.[2023]

Theta burst stimulation (TBS) appears to be safe and tolerable for children and adolescents, with reported adverse events mostly being mild, such as headaches, similar to those seen in adults.

Despite the promising safety profile, there is a lack of long-term studies on TBS in younger populations, highlighting the need for further research to better understand its effects and potential risks.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Systematic Review of the Safety and Tolerability of Theta Burst Stimulation in Children and Adolescents. Elmaghraby, R., Sun, Q., Ozger, C., et al.[2023]

Accelerated, high-dose intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) showed promising results in treating highly treatment-resistant depression, with most patients achieving remission after treatment.

However, the effects were short-lived, as all patients experienced relapse within two weeks, indicating a need for improved treatment strategies that enhance the durability of the therapeutic response.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Is accelerated, high-dose theta burst stimulation a panacea for treatment-resistant depression? Caulfield, KA.[2021]

This study is the first randomized controlled trial investigating the efficacy of accelerated theta burst stimulation (aTBS) in treating suicidal ideation in adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD), involving three daily sessions over 10 days.

The trial aims to address underlying neurotransmission deficits in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and will measure biomarkers to understand the neurophysiological mechanisms of suicidal ideation, potentially leading to more effective treatments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sequential bilateral accelerated theta burst stimulation in adolescents with suicidal ideation associated with major depressive disorder: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Yuruk, D., Ozger, C., Garzon, JF., et al.[2023]

Theta burst stimulation (TBS) shows significant efficacy in reducing depression symptoms, with a large effect size (Hedges' g = 1.0) based on a meta-analysis of 5 randomized controlled trials involving 221 subjects.

Active TBS resulted in higher response rates compared to sham TBS (35.6% vs. 17.5%), although there was no significant difference in remission rates, indicating that while TBS is promising, further research is needed to optimize treatment parameters.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of theta burst stimulation (TBS) for major depression: An exploratory meta-analysis of randomized and sham-controlled trials. Berlim, MT., McGirr, A., Rodrigues Dos Santos, N., et al.[2018]

Theta-burst stimulation (TBS) was found to be safe for children, with no serious adverse events reported among 40 participants aged under 18, including those with Tourette syndrome and typically developing children.

Only 11.6% of participants experienced mild, self-limited side effects, such as finger twitching and headaches, indicating that TBS is well tolerated in this age group.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety and tolerability of theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation in children. Wu, SW., Shahana, N., Huddleston, DA., et al.[2012]

Continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) was found to be safe and well-tolerated in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar depression (BD), with no significant differences in adverse events compared to sham treatment.

However, the meta-analysis of three randomized controlled trials involving 78 participants showed no significant improvement in depression scores or response rates with cTBS compared to sham, indicating that cTBS may not provide a therapeutic advantage for treating major depressive episodes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adjunctive continuous theta burst stimulation for major depressive disorder or bipolar depression: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. Cai, DB., Qin, XD., Qin, ZJ., et al.[2023]

In a study of 27 participants, a prolonged intermittent theta burst stimulation (piTBS) protocol using 1,800 pulses showed limited effectiveness for major depressive disorder, with only 18.2% of participants achieving a response and 9.1% reaching remission.

Safety and tolerability were concerns, as 18.5% of participants experienced issues, suggesting that while piTBS is a promising approach, further research is needed to optimize its parameters and improve outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Prolonged intermittent theta burst stimulation in the treatment of major depressive disorder: a case series. Richard, M., Noiseux, C., Desbeaumes Jodoin, V., et al.[2022]

Theta burst stimulation (TBS) is as effective and safe as standard repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for treating depression, based on a meta-analysis of nine randomized controlled trials involving 1124 patients.

The study found no significant differences in response rates or adverse events between TBS and rTMS, suggesting that TBS could be a viable alternative due to its shorter treatment sessions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy and Safety of Theta Burst vs Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Depression: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Liu, C., Li, L., Li, B., et al.[2023]

Citations

1.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006322325013563

Efficacy and Safety of Accelerated Intermittent Theta-burst ...

Several systematic reviews have supported TMS as a potentially effective treatment option for adolescents with MDD, suggesting that high- ...

2.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11043680/

Effect of novel accelerated intermittent theta burst ...

These results indicate that 20 Hz aiTBS has promising antisuicidal and antidepressant efficacy in adolescents. A recent study examining 50 Hz ...

3.

jamanetwork.com

jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2830095

Accelerated Intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation for ...

They found that active aiTBS was significantly more effective than sham stimulation for depressive symptoms, supporting the clinical efficacy of ...

4.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032725000023

Efficacy study of intermittent theta burst stimulation(iTBS) in ...

The current study suggests that two days of active iTBS to the DLPFC region can rapidly, safely, and effectively improve depressive symptoms in adolescents ...

5.

nature.com

nature.com/articles/s41380-024-02630-5

Theta burst stimulation for depression: a systematic review ...

The current study outcomes included the response rate (primary), depression symptom improvement, remission rate, all-cause discontinuation rate, ...

6.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40738417/

Efficacy and Safety of Accelerated Intermittent Theta-burst ...

The a-iTBS group showed significantly greater improvements in anxiety and self-reported depression at all time points compared to the sham group ...

7.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06210100

aiTBS for NSSI and Suicide in Adolescent Depression

The study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of aiTBS in depressive patients with NSSI or suicidal thoughts and behaviors by measuring changes in clinical ...

8.

nature.com

nature.com/articles/s41380-025-03183-x

Intermittent theta burst stimulation for non-suicidal self ...

The results support our hypothesis that prolonged accelerated iTBS targeting the DLPFC is feasible, effective, and safe for alleviating NSSI ...