Circuit-Based Approach to Suicide: Biomarkers, Predictors, and Novel Therapeutics

Completed · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Major Depressive Episode, Borderline Personality Disorder, Suicide

In brief

This neuroimaging study is a clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of intermittent theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (iTBS-TMS) to the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) in reducing suicide risk in patients with major depressive episode (MDE) or borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Key facts

Study ID

NCT04130958

Run by

Massachusetts General Hospital

People needed

75

Starts

2023-11-01

Expected to finish

2026-05-30

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-14

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• 18-65 years of age
• Diagnosed with BPD or MDE
• Chief complaint of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

You may not qualify if…

• Neurological conditions with known structural brain lesion
• Prior neurosurgical procedure
• Metal in the body that is ferromagnetic or metal injury to the eyes
• Epilepsy
• Implanted pacemaker, medication pump, vagal stimulator, deep brain stimulator, TENS unit, or ventriculo-peritoneal shunt
• Psychopathology not appropriate for the treatment (e.g., manic episode or psychosis)
• Current alcohol dependence or active symptoms of non-alcohol psychoactive substance use withdrawal, as indicated by self-report
• Inability to meet the safety criteria for MRI scanning according to the protocols of the MGH Department of Radiology
• Current pregnancy

Where it is running

• Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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