TMS for Depression

Overseen By Nikita Vincecruz, BS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles

Must be taking: Antidepressants

Must not be taking: Seizure-inducing medications

Disqualifiers: Psychotic disorders, Neurological conditions, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 7

Duration: 1 week

30 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a new method of using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to treat Major Depressive Disorder. Researchers aim to determine if different frequencies of TMS are safe and tolerable for individuals who have not found success with at least two types of antidepressant medications and therapy. Participants will undergo several tests and receive 25 TMS treatments over two weeks. Those who have tried multiple treatments for depression without success might be suitable candidates for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could lead to new treatment options for depression.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are on medications that increase the risk of seizures, you may need to stop those.

What prior data suggests that this TMS treatment is safe for depression?

Research shows that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is generally safe and well-tolerated. Studies indicate that repetitive TMS (rTMS) rarely causes problems, with only about 12.4% of people experiencing mild issues. Serious side effects occur even less frequently. The FDA has approved TMS for treating depression, migraines, and OCD, confirming its safety for these conditions. Additionally, experts have reviewed many studies and confirmed that TMS is safe, even for those whose depression hasn't improved with other treatments. While some might experience minor side effects, TMS remains a safe option for treating depression. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is unique because it offers a non-invasive approach to treating depression by using magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. Unlike traditional antidepressants that require time to adjust chemical imbalances, TMS directly targets specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation, potentially offering faster relief. Researchers are excited about TMS as it provides an alternative for patients who have not responded to medications, with fewer side effects and no need for anesthesia, making it a promising option for those seeking different treatment avenues.

What evidence suggests that TMS might be an effective treatment for depression?

Research has shown that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a promising treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). In large studies, TMS has led to significant improvements in depression symptoms. For instance, one study found that 54% of patients experienced at least a 50% improvement in their symptoms. Another study reported a 47% decrease in depression scores after just three days of treatment. Overall, TMS effectively reduces depression symptoms for many patients. Participants in this trial will receive open-label TMS to further evaluate its effectiveness. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults aged 18-65 with moderate to severe Major Depressive Disorder, who haven't improved after trying at least two different types of antidepressants and psychotherapy. Participants must be able to commit to an accelerated treatment schedule but can't join if they have certain neurological conditions, risk of seizures, psychotic disorders, or magnetic-sensitive implants in their body.

Inclusion Criteria

I have undergone psychotherapy for my depression.

Subjects are willing and able to adhere to the accelerated treatment schedule

I have tried at least 2 antidepressants without success.

Exclusion Criteria

I have an infection or poor skin condition on my scalp.

I am at a higher risk of having seizures due to my family history, past stroke, or my current medications.

I am able to understand and consent to participate in the study.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive 25 sessions of individualized a-rTMS over five days to treat Major Depressive Disorder

1 week

5 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Open-label TMS

Trial Overview The study tests the safety and effectiveness of a non-standard frequency accelerated repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (a-rTMS) on patients hospitalized with depression. It involves brain activity recordings, one MRI scan, determining individual TMS settings, daily symptom checks, and receiving 25 TMS treatments over up to two weeks.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Open-label TMS Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Los Angeles

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,594

Recruited

10,430,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In an open-label extension study of trans-cranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) involving patients with medication-resistant major depressive disorder, those who previously received sham treatment showed a significant mean reduction in depression scores (MADRS) of -17.0 after 6 weeks of active TMS, with 42.4% achieving a response and 20.0% reaching remission.

Patients who had not responded to initial active TMS also benefited from continued treatment, showing a mean reduction of -12.5 in MADRS scores, with 26.0% responding and 11.0% remitting, indicating that longer courses of TMS may enhance therapeutic outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Transcranial magnetic stimulation in the acute treatment of major depressive disorder: clinical response in an open-label extension trial. Avery, DH., Isenberg, KE., Sampson, SM., et al.[2019]

In a study of 301 medication-free patients with treatment-resistant major depression, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) significantly improved quality of life (QOL) and functional status compared to sham treatment during a 6-week trial.

The benefits of TMS were not only observed during the acute treatment phase but also sustained over a 24-week follow-up, indicating that TMS provides durable improvements in patients' overall well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improvement in quality of life with left prefrontal transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with pharmacoresistant major depression: acute and six month outcomes. Solvason, HB., Husain, M., Fitzgerald, PB., et al.[2018]

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is shown to be safe for patients with major depressive disorder, with no significant increase in dropout rates or serious adverse events compared to sham treatment, based on a meta-analysis of 53 trials involving 3,273 participants.

While TMS may lead to some mild and transient non-serious adverse events like headaches and discomfort, these side effects are manageable, suggesting that TMS can be a viable treatment option either alone or alongside other therapies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety of transcranial magnetic stimulation in unipolar depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials. Wang, WL., Wang, SY., Hung, HY., et al.[2022]

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was effective in treating treatment-resistant depression, with a response rate of 50.6% and a remission rate of 24.7% after 6 weeks of treatment in a cohort of 100 patients.

TMS was well tolerated, showing a low discontinuation rate of 3% and no serious adverse events, indicating its safety as an adjunctive treatment for patients who have not responded to other antidepressant therapies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of transcranial magnetic stimulation in clinical practice post-FDA approval in the United States: results observed with the first 100 consecutive cases of depression at an academic medical center. Connolly, KR., Helmer, A., Cristancho, MA., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11234753/

Utilization and outcomes of transcranial magnetic ... In this real-world study of a large sample of patients with MDD, TMS patients experienced statistically significant improvements in depression ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032720325933

Clinical outcomes in a large registry of patients with major ... Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an effective treatment for episodes of major depressive disorder ( ...

3. uclahealth.org uclahealth.org/news/release/study-finds-possible-early-predictor-successful-transcranial

Study finds possible early predictor of successful ... The new study published this week in Psychiatry Research found that 54% of patients exhibited clinical response (at least a 50% improvement) in ...

4. bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-024-05545-1

Short-term and long-term efficacy of accelerated transcranial ... showed a significant effect of aiTMS on day 3 of treatment, with a 47% decrease in the mean Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score after ...

5. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22689344/

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for major ... Clinician-assessed response rate (CGI-S) was 58.0% and remission rate was 37.1%. Patient-reported response rate ranged from 56.4 to 41.5% and remission rate ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7894543/

Adverse events of repetitive transcranial magnetic ... In conclusion, rTMS is a safe and well‐tolerated treatment option for older adults with LLD with a relatively low percentage of AE (12.4% in total) and serious ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016517812500215X

Safety and efficacy of Deep TMS for adolescent depression ... Deep TMS is a safe and effective therapeutic option for adolescents and young adults suffering from MDD when delivered under routine outpatient treatment ...

8. med.uth.edu med.uth.edu/psychiatry/2025/04/21/a-new-consensus-on-transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-tms/

A New Consensus on Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) The expert panel reviewed nearly 2,400 studies and confirmed that TMS is safe and effective, even for people whose depression hasn't responded ...

9. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7732158/

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Safety with ... Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is FDA approved for depression, migraines, and OCD, with other symptoms and disorders being aggressively ...

10. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2835319

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as ... The relapse prevention success rate at 24 weeks in the rTMS monotherapy group was approximately 85%, whereas prior literature indicates that the ...