NCT02863380

Brief Summary

The investigators hypothesize that personalizing the rTMS targets using functional MRI will increase its efficacy. The most dysfunctional regions or the most dysfunctional network will be stimulated homogeneously. Individualized rTMS will be compared to traditional rTMS procedure and to trans-cranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in a randomized cross-over trial. In this pilot study the primary outcome measure will be the correction of the MRI anomalies. Symptoms reduction and the proportion of remitters will be secondary outcome measurements.

Trial Health

57
Monitor

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
27

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started May 2016

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
terminated

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

May 4, 2016

Completed
3 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

August 2, 2016

Completed
9 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 11, 2016

Completed
4.4 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

January 21, 2021

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

January 21, 2021

Completed
Last Updated

September 24, 2025

Status Verified

September 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

4.7 years

First QC Date

August 2, 2016

Last Update Submit

September 22, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

Individualized MedicineTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation, RepetitiveTranscranial Direct Current Stimulation MonocentricCompariative Cross-Over 3 Arms Study Randomized, Single-Blind MethodFunctional Neuroimaging

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • Change of rCBF anomalies

    The target region will be defined by comparing the rCBF scan of the patient to a control population. rCBF will be measured using the average of 2 ∙ 3 (=6) measures of rCBF using QUIPS2 arterial spin labeling sequence on a Siemens 3T Verio. rCBF change of the target region will be compared before \& after therapeutic protocol between the different procedures (ANOVA). Functional connectivity map of the target region will be performed by extracting its average temporal course and looking at the region(s) which activity is correlated. Contrast map of each patient will be compared to the one of a control population submitted to the same analysis. Change in the number of above threshold voxels (F-test, p \< 0.05 uncorrected, extension \> 1 cm3) will be compared before \& after therapeutic procedure (ANOVA). rCBF's change of the target region will be compared before \& after therapeutic protocol between the different procedures (ANOVA).

    Difference between before (assessed once between D-7 to -1) and after (assessed once between D+15 to +21) each therapeutic protocol (D = day of the beginning of the protocol)

  • Change of the functional connectivity anomalies

    The target region will be defined by comparing the rCBF scan of the patient to a control population. rCBF will be measured using the average of 2 ∙ 3 (=6) measures of rCBF using QUIPS2 arterial spin labeling sequence on a Siemens 3T Verio. rCBF change of the target region will be compared before \& after therapeutic protocol between the different procedures (ANOVA). Functional connectivity map of the target region will be performed by extracting its average temporal course and looking at the region(s) which activity is correlated. Contrast map of each patient will be compared to the one of a control population submitted to the same analysis. Change in the number of above threshold voxels (F-test, p \< 0.05 uncorrected, extension \> 1 cm3) will be compared before \& after therapeutic procedure (ANOVA). rCBF's change of the target region will be compared before \& after therapeutic protocol between the different procedures (ANOVA).

    Difference between before (assessed once between D-7 to -1) and after (assessed once between D+15 to +21) each therapeutic protocol (D = day of the beginning of the protocol)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Change in symptoms evaluated by the clinician (QIDS16-C)

    Difference between before (assessed once between D-7 to -1) and after (assessed once between D+15 to +21) each therapeutic protocol (D = day of the beginning of the protocol).

  • Change in symptoms evaluated by the patient (QIDS30-SR)

    Difference between before (assessed once between D-7 to -1) and after (assessed once between D+15 to +21) each therapeutic protocol (D = day of the beginning of the protocol).

Other Outcomes (4)

  • Daily visual analogical scales assessing the core symptoms

    Difference between before (D-7 to -1) and after (D+15 to +21) each therapeutic protocol (D = day of the beginning of the protocol).

  • Response time and accuracy at the attentional network test

    Difference between before (D-7 to -1) and after (D+15 to +21) each therapeutic protocol (D = day of the beginning of the protocol).

  • Quality of life ("Echele synoptique des 3 temps")

    Difference between before (D-7 to -1) and after (D+15 to +21) each therapeutic protocol (D = day of the beginning of the protocol).

  • +1 more other outcomes

Study Arms (3)

Individualized rTMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)

EXPERIMENTAL

The target region will be defined by comparing the rCBF scan of the patient to a control population (n = 38). rCBF will be measured using the QUIPS2 arterial spin labeling sequence on a Siemens 3T Verio. The therapeutic protocol will be design to correct the rCBF anomaly first by defining each point where to deliver the stimulation than the stimulation protocol for each point (180% of active motor threshold, 4-second 10 Hz train duration, with 26-second intertrain interval for a total of 3000 pulses). The whole target will be homogeneously stimulated. The active motor threshold will be assessed. The procedure will be repeated twice a day for 10 days over 2 weeks.

Procedure: Functional magnetic resonance imaging used to individualize rTMS protocolDevice: Individualized rTMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)

Classical rTMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

rTMS will be performed as usual using a figure-eight coil: Defining the active motor threshold. For each session positioning the coil on F3, stimulating at 180% of active motor threshold (10 Hz, 4-second train duration, and 26-second intertrain interval) for 37.5 minutes (3000 pulses per session), twice a day for 10 days over 2 weeks.

Procedure: Functional magnetic resonance imaging used to individualize rTMS protocolDevice: Classical rTMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)

Classical tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

tDCS will be performed as usual: After controlling for skin healthiness, the anode and the cathode will be respectively placed over F3 and right shoulder. A commercial devices (MagStim), will deliver a constant current of 2 mA through 25 cm2 saline-soaked rubber sponges for 20 min per session. The procedure will be repeated twice a day for 10 days over 2 weeks.

Procedure: Functional magnetic resonance imaging used to individualize rTMS protocolDevice: Classical tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation)

Interventions

Procedure consisting in personalizing the rTMS targets and stimulation pattern based on functional magnetic resonance imaging

Classical rTMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)Classical tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation)Individualized rTMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)
Individualized rTMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)
Classical rTMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)
Classical tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation)

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 65 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Aged from 18 to 65 Y
  • Affiliated to the health insurance
  • Having signed an informed consent
  • Suffering from major depression according to the DSM5
  • Unresponsive or incomplete remission after at least one trial of antidepressant (\> 6 weeks at efficient dose or side effects)
  • Treatment stable for \> 6 weeks

You may not qualify if:

  • Contraindication for MRI, rTMS or tDCS: non-removable ferromagnetic body, prosthesis, pacemaker, medication delivered by an implanted pump clip or vascular stent, heart valve or ventricular shunt, seizure disorders, skin pathology in the region of tDCS electrode placement.
  • Pregnancy
  • Severe and non-stabilized somatic pathology
  • Patients deprived of liberty or hospitalized without their consent

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Service de Psychiatrie 1, Hôpital Civil, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg

Strasbourg, 67091, France

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Dormegny-Jeanjean LC, de Crespin de Billy C, Pierrat C, Mainberger O, Schorr B, Obrecht A, Arcay H, Moreau A, Humbert I, Scarlatti F, Bertschy G, de Sousa PL, Lamy J, Weibel S, Landre L, Foucher JR. Individualizing rTMS in treatment-resistant depression from patient-specific perfusion abnormalities a proof-of-concept randomized trial in comparison to standard rTMS and tDCS. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2025 Sep;275(6):1809-1825. doi: 10.1007/s00406-025-02027-7. Epub 2025 Jun 14.

    PMID: 40517147BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depressive Disorder

Interventions

Transcranial Magnetic StimulationTranscranial Direct Current Stimulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mood DisordersMental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Magnetic Field TherapyTherapeuticsElectric Stimulation TherapyConvulsive TherapyPsychiatric Somatic TherapiesBehavioral Disciplines and ActivitiesElectroshockPsychological Techniques

Study Officials

  • Jack FOUCHER, MD

    Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
CARE PROVIDER
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
CROSSOVER
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

August 2, 2016

First Posted

August 11, 2016

Study Start

May 4, 2016

Primary Completion

January 21, 2021

Study Completion

January 21, 2021

Last Updated

September 24, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations