Evaluation of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in the Treatment of Mood Disorders
Completed · Phase 2
Conditions studied: Bipolar Disorder, Mood Disorder, Unipolar Depression
In brief
This study is designed to evaluate repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a potential treatment for depression. In rTMS, a rapidly changing magnetic field passes through your scalp and skull and generates a small electrical pulses in your brain. rTMS at lower intensities has helped some people with depression but we do not know what the results will be in your case using higher intensities, or whether you will be randomized to 3 weeks of high frequency (20 cycles er second), low frequency (1 cycle per second), or inactive (sham)rTMS. You will be assigned to receive one of these types of rTMS over the left front art of your brain five times per week for the three weeks. Each rTMS treatment session should take between 20-30 minutes of actual stimulation, but weekly ratings, memory testing, and blood sampling may require several hours per week. We will also ask you to have brain imaging procedures to see if these will predict response to high vs. low frequency rTMS. If you are randomized to the 3 weeks of sham rTMS, you will have the opportunity to receive one of the active stimulation frequencies for an additional 3 weeks. Responders to any phase will be offered an additional month of rTMS prior to study termination and recommendations of alternative treatments.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT00001545
- Run by
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- People needed
- 91
- Starts
- 1996-05-01
- Expected to finish
- 2006-07-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2006-07-13
Who can join
Age: 18 and older, up to 90. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may not qualify if…
- Reasons for exclusion will be the presence of cardiac pacemakers, medication pumps, cochlear implants or metal objects in the head or eyes that could be dangerous if heated or moved by the magnetic pulses.
- General contraindications to rTMS or a current diagnosis of alcohol or substance abuse.
- Subjects having serious medical illnesses or meeting current psychoactive substance dependence will be excluded from entry.
Where it is running
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) — Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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