Frequency and E-field Enhancement of ITBS for Depression (FREED)

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Major Depressive Disorder

In brief

The investigators propose a randomized 3-arm double-blinded parallel experimental trial (20 sessions over 4 weeks) in 75 patients with TRD. The three arms include (1) the combination of a fully Individualized form of intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) (using BOTH the frequency and electric field (E-field) targeting approaches) (Ind-iTBS)), (2) iTBS individualized using E-field targeting only (targeted-iTBS) and (3) Standard iTBS treatment (i.e., typical iTBS localized to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) using the Beam F3 method). Electroencephalography (EEG) data will be collected at rest and during a working memory task, at baseline, and at the end of treatment along with clinical assessments of depression severity. The target engagement dependent variable of interest in these three arms will be fronto-parietal theta connectivity measured through resting-state EEG. The investigators hypothesize that stimulation with Ind-iTBS will lead to greater changes in fronto-parietal theta connectivity than that produced with targeted-TBS and standard iTBS. Aim: To evaluate the effects of two individualized forms of iTBS (i.e., using BOTH the frequency and E-field individualization; Ind-iTBS) compared to iTBS individualized for E-field targeting only (targeted-iTBS) and standard iTBS on fronto-parietal theta connectivity. Hypotheses: (1) Ind-iTBS will lead to greater changes in fronto-parietal theta connectivity compared to both targeted-iTBS and standard iTBS. (2) Ind-iTBS will also lead to a greater reduction in depressive symptoms (as defined by the mean reduction in Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale Scores (MADRS)) compared to both targeted-iTBS and standard iTBS.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06003309

Run by

University of California, San Diego

People needed

75

Starts

2023-08-31

Expected to finish

2025-12-30

Last updated by the study team

2026-02-13

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 80. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Diagnosis of major depressive episode (MDE, in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5), in the context of unipolar major depressive disorder disorder.
• 18-80 years of age.
• Male or female.
• At least one failed antidepressant medication trial at level 3 in the Antidepressant Treatment History Form: Short Form (ATHF-SF) classification.
• Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Score of ≥ 20 (moderate-severe depression).
• No increase or initiation of new antidepressant therapy in the four weeks prior to screening.
• Demonstrated capacity to give informed consent.

You may not qualify if…

• Inability to provide informed consent.
• Medically unstable patients.
• Concomitant neurological disorder or a history of a seizure disorder.
• Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Any psychotic disorder or current active psychotic symptoms.
• Patients who have intracranial implants, other medical device or condition deemed unsafe for TMS.
• Contraindication to MRI scanning.

Where it is running

• University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, California, United States
• Australian National University — Canberra, Australia

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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