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Behavioural Intervention

rTMS Therapy for Depression (SUNSET Trial)

N/A
Recruiting
Led By Andrew Krystal, MD, MS
Research Sponsored by University of California, San Francisco
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Willing and able to undergo non-invasive brain stimulation
Demonstrate a moderate level of resistance to antidepressant treatment in the current episode, defined as a failure of 1-4 adequate medication trials
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up up to one month prior to initial tms session (baseline) to within one month following the completion of tms treatment (~ 8 weeks)
Awards & highlights

SUNSET Trial Summary

This trial is studying whether certain biomarkers can help predict treatment response to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in people with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

Who is the study for?
This trial is for adults aged 18-70 with Major Depressive Disorder currently experiencing a depressive episode without psychotic features. Participants must have moderate to severe depression, have tried 1-4 antidepressants without success, and be stable on current medications if any. They should be able to undergo non-invasive brain stimulation and commit to research visits for about 8 weeks.Check my eligibility
What is being tested?
The study tests the effectiveness of rTMS therapy in treating Major Depressive Disorder by monitoring changes in brain activity through imaging techniques. It aims to identify reliable biomarkers that can predict treatment response and aid clinical diagnosis.See study design
What are the potential side effects?
rTMS therapy may cause discomfort at the stimulation site, headache, lightheadedness, or tingling. Rarely it could lead to seizures or hearing loss if ear protection isn't used during treatment.

SUNSET Trial Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I am willing and able to have a treatment that involves stimulating my brain without surgery.
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I've tried 1-4 antidepressants without success in this episode.
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I am between 18 and 70 years old.
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I have been diagnosed with major depression without experiencing psychosis.

SUNSET Trial Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~up to one month prior to initial tms session (baseline) to within one month following the completion of tms treatment (~ 8 weeks)
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and up to one month prior to initial tms session (baseline) to within one month following the completion of tms treatment (~ 8 weeks) for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary outcome measures
Therapeutic procedure
Change in resting state BOLD signal from baseline to end of treatment
Change in resting state EEG from baseline to end of treatment
+1 more
Secondary outcome measures
Change in Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) score from baseline to end of treatment
Change in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) score from baseline to end of treatment
Change in Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS-30 self report) score from baseline to end of treatment.
+1 more

SUNSET Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Morning rTMS treatmentExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Eligible participants will be assigned to the afternoon treatment group. Prior to the onset of rTMS treatment, EEG scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sessions including diffusion weighted imaging will be recorded as baseline measures. These measures will also be repeated at treatment midpoint and within one month of rTMS discontinuation in order to track structural and functional changes that occur over the course of treatment. Participants will complete an initial screening followed by 30-40 daily sessions of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), completed with their TMS provider.
Group II: Afternoon rTMS treatmentExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Eligible participants will be assigned to the afternoon treatment group. Prior to the onset of rTMS treatment, EEG scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sessions including diffusion weighted imaging will be recorded as baseline measures. These measures will also be repeated at treatment midpoint and within one month of rTMS discontinuation in order to track structural and functional changes that occur over the course of treatment. Participants will complete an initial screening followed by 30-40 daily sessions of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), completed with their TMS provider.

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

University of California, San FranciscoLead Sponsor
2,505 Previous Clinical Trials
15,237,505 Total Patients Enrolled
Andrew Krystal, MD, MSPrincipal InvestigatorUniversity of California, San Francisco
3 Previous Clinical Trials
41 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

rTMS therapy (Behavioural Intervention) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT04581902 — N/A
Major Depressive Disorder Research Study Groups: Morning rTMS treatment, Afternoon rTMS treatment
Major Depressive Disorder Clinical Trial 2023: rTMS therapy Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT04581902 — N/A
rTMS therapy (Behavioural Intervention) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT04581902 — N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Who else is applying?

What state do they live in?
California
What site did they apply to?
University of California, San Francisco
What portion of applicants met pre-screening criteria?
Did not meet criteria
Met criteria
How many prior treatments have patients received?
3+

Why did patients apply to this trial?

I’ve been depressed for many many years and I’m sick and tired of it. I've tried every antidepressant available and even a combination with Adderall. Nothing works to great effect. As a result it's difficult to be fully functional. I'd welcome any viable solution.
PatientReceived 1 prior treatment
~14 spots leftby Sep 2025