Optimizing Stimulation Parameters for Electroconvulsive Therapy

Starting soon · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Depression - Major Depressive Disorder, Catatonia

In brief

The goal of this clinical trial is to improve how electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) stimulation settings are chosen. Researchers will use real-time brain monitoring to measure both seizures and a recently identified brain event called cortical spreading depolarization (CSD). The main questions it aims to answer are: What is the best way to increase ECT stimulation settings? How do different pulse settings affect the brain's response? Can certain settings produce CSD without causing a seizure? Participants already receiving ECT as part of their care will take part. They will be assigned to one of two groups: Index ECT group: Participants starting ECT will receive different standard titration approaches. Maintenance ECT group: Participants receiving ongoing ECT will undergo a brief, low-dose stimulation test before treatment. All participants will be monitored using brain physiology (EEG and blood flow) and symptom scales during treatment.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07561307

Run by

University of Pennsylvania

People needed

64

Starts

2026-07-01

Expected to finish

2030-06-30

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-01

Who can join

Age: any. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Any patients being treated with electroconvulsive therapy at Pennsylvania Hospital who are willing and able to participate are eligible to be subjects in this study.

You may not qualify if…

• They are unwilling or unable to consent first to the SWEET COMBO protocol for optical monitoring during ECT
• Clinically significant psychiatric comorbidity as determined by clinical interview and in the opinion of the Investigator and clinical team would alter the risk/benefit of the study
• History of poor response to ECT treatment in the opinion of the Investigator and clinical team that would alter the risk/benefit of the study
• Presence of any disease, medical condition or physical condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, may compromise, interfere with, limit, affect or reduce the:
• subject's ability to participate safely in the study
• integrity of the data or
• subject's ability to complete the full duration of the study.

Where it is running

• Pennsylvania Hospital — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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