TACS on High-inflammatory and Refractory Depression

Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD), Inflammation

In brief

This study is a randomized controlled trial with a duration of 12 weeks (4 weeks of intervention + 8 weeks of follow-up). The participants are patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and high inflammatory activity (n=52). The study aims to clarify the effectiveness of 15mA, 77.5Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in treating TRD with high inflammatory activity by comparing the changes in depressive symptoms and biological markers after active tACS stimulation versus sham stimulation. Additionally, the study seeks to explore potential underlying mechanisms of action.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT06812923
Run by: Tianjin Anding Hospital
People needed: 52
Starts: 2025-01-01
Expected to finish: 2028-12-31
Last updated by the study team: 2025-02-06

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 55. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

(1) Aged between 18 and 55 years; (2) Diagnosed with depression through a structured clinical interview by a psychiatrist using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5); (3) A total score of 17 or above on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), with a score of 2 or more on item 1 (depression); (4) CRP level between 0.85-10 mg/L; (5) DM-TRD score of at least 12.5; (6) Stable use of treatment medications (antidepressants, antipsychotics) for at least 2 weeks during the current depressive episode; (7) Able to understand and sign the informed consent form.

You may not qualify if…

(1) A history of current or past seizures, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, central nervous system tumors, or acute brain injury and infections; (2) A score of 3 or 4 on item 3 of the HAMD-17, or a history of suicidal behavior with significant suicide risk; (3) Received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), tACS, or other neuromodulation treatments within one month prior to enrollment; (4) Pregnant or breastfeeding women; (5) Patients with any severe organic disease or in an unstable condition due to organic disease; (6) Used anti-inflammatory drugs for more than 7 days cumulatively in the last 2 months, or used immunosuppressive drugs, such as corticosteroids; (7) Suffering from chronic infectious or autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, enteritis, hepatitis, etc.; (8) A history of substance dependence or substance abuse.

Where it is running

The 20th ward of general psychiatric department — Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, China (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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