Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst in Treatment-Naive Adolescents

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Major Depressive Disorder, Depression in Adolescence, Depression, Major Depressive Episode

In brief

This is a single-site open-label clinical trial of the Stanford Accelerated Intermittent Neuromodulation Therapy (SAINT®) protocol. The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a new form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-known generally as accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (aiTBS) and specifically as SAINT®-is effective as a first-line therapy in treating adolescents aged 14-19 years-old in their first episode of depression who have not undergone a full course of depression treatment prior to starting the trial and who remain antidepressant-free throughout the trial. The main questions this trial aims to answer are: * Does SAINT® relieve symptoms of depression as a first-line therapy in adolescents? * Is SAINT® a feasible option as a first-line treatment for adolescent depression? Researchers will measure the depression symptoms in adolescent participants before and after SAINT®. Parents of the adolescent participant will also participate in the study providing information about their experience and preference for TMS as a first-line treatment. Adolescent participants will: * Remain antidepressant-free throughout the study period of 6-7 weeks. * Receive an MRI of their head for precision targeting * Receive 5 days of aiTBS (SAINT®)

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06523439

Run by

University of Texas at Austin

People needed

40

Starts

2025-01-01

Expected to finish

2026-09-01

Last updated by the study team

2024-12-12

Who can join

Age: 14 and older, up to 19. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Male or Female, between the ages of 14 and 19 at the time of screening.
• Able to read, understand, and provide written, dated assent and/or consent prior to screening. Proficiency in English sufficient to complete questionnaires and follow instructions during aiTBS interventions. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures, including availability for the duration of the study, and to communicate with study personnel about adverse events and other clinically important information.
• Diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with a current Major Depressive Episode (MDE), according to the criteria defined in the Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5).
• No prior major depressive episodes (MDEs) as determined by MINI-KID
• HAMD-17 score of ≥20 at screening (Visit 1).
• Treatment-naive as determined by the ATHF (no adequate antidepressant trials prior to screening defined as fewer than 4 weeks of antidepressant medication and fewer than 8 psychotherapy sessions in lifetime; willingness to taper medications and stop psychotherapy if recently started and within the window defined above.)
• TMS naive.
• Access to ongoing psychiatric care before and after completion of the study.
• In good general health, as evidenced by medical history.
• Agreement to adhere to Lifestyle Considerations throughout study duration.

You may not qualify if…

• Pregnancy
• High-risk for suicide or active suicidal ideation (Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire- Junior [SIQ-JR] ≥ 31).
• The presence or diagnosis of prominent anxiety disorder, or dysthymia (>3 on SAPAS; >10 on GAD-7)
• Current severe insomnia (must sleep a minimum of 5 hours each night before stimulation)
• Current mania or psychosis
• Bipolar Affective Disorder and/or primary psychotic disorders.
• Autism Spectrum disorder or Intellectual Disability
• A diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Current moderate or severe substance use disorder or demonstrating signs of acute substance withdrawal.
• Urine screening test positive for illicit substances.
• Any history of ECT (greater than 8 sessions) without meeting responder criteria
• Recent (during the current depressive episode) or concurrent use of a rapid acting antidepressant agent (i.e., ketamine or a course of ECT).
• History of significant neurologic disease, including dementia, Parkinson's or Huntington's disease, brain tumor, unexpected seizure/epilepsy disorder, subdural hematoma, multiple sclerosis, or history of significant head trauma.
• Untreated or insufficiently treated endocrine disorder.
• Contraindications to receiving rTMS (e.g., metal in head, history of seizure, known brain lesion)
• Contraindications to MRI (ferromagnetic metal in their body).
• Any current or past history of any physical condition which in the investigator's opinion might put the subject at risk or interfere with study results interpretation.
• Depth-adjusted aiTBS treatment dose > 65% maximum stimulator output (MSO)
• Treatment with another investigational drug or other intervention within the study period.
• Any other condition deemed by the PI to interfere with the study or increase risk to the participant.

Where it is running

• Dell Medical School at University of Texas at Austin — Austin, Texas, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.