TBS in Major Depression
Theta-burst Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Major Depression
1 other identifier
interventional
80
1 country
1
Brief Summary
Background Major depression is associated with morbidity and increased mortality. Along with the psychological strain depression represents a high socioeconomic burden costing Europe more than €113 billion/year. About one third of patients do not respond to appropriate therapy. Theta-burst stimulation (TBS), a form of transcranial magnetic stimulation is an emerging treatment for patients for whom pharmacological treatment is ineffective or not appropriate. Based on two different theories of prefrontal dysfunction two TBS-protocols should have the most antidepressant effects. However, no study so far has compared the two approaches or systematically investigated their differential effects on brain function and on a symptom level. Objectives of the study The aim of this study is to test two TBS protocols on symptom improvement and associated brain function in patients with treatment resistant depression (TRD): iTBS over bilateral DLPFC and iTBS over left and cTBS over right DLPFC. As stimulation over non-motor regions offers no direct readout, fMRI at baseline and after treatment will be harnessed to quantify an effect on brain activity and functional network metrics. Study population 80 patients with TRD will be enrolled with 40 patients receiving the one, and 40 patients receiving the other TBS protocol for a treatment period of three weeks. Study design The study is designed as a longitudinal, randomized and double-blind clinical trial. At baseline and after treatment, patients will undergo psychiatric testing using several symptom scales including the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS-C) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Changes in HAMD-17 scores are defined as primary endpoint. Moreover MRI scans before and after treatment will include structural and functional MRI sequences as well as diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) sequence. Functional connectivity and BOLD responses will serve as primary imaging endpoints. A follow-up visit 2 weeks and a final examination 4 weeks after treatment will elucidate durability of effects. Relevance and implications of the study By investigating which approach is superior for which symptoms our study will contribute to the development of personalized treatment, the reduction of personal suffering and the reduction of costs and occupational disability.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable
Started Aug 2017
Longer than P75 for not_applicable
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
Study Start
First participant enrolled
August 1, 2017
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
August 18, 2017
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
August 22, 2017
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
July 31, 2020
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
December 31, 2020
CompletedMarch 13, 2019
March 1, 2019
3 years
August 18, 2017
March 11, 2019
Conditions
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (2)
HAMD
Hamilton depression rating scale
<1 month
BDI-II
Beck Depression Inventory
<1 month
Secondary Outcomes (2)
Regional white matter microstructure using DWI
<1 month
Regional grey matter volume and using MRI
<1 month
Other Outcomes (1)
Global physical activity
<1 month
Study Arms (2)
left iTBS and right cTBS
EXPERIMENTAL40 patients will receive intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and continuous TBS (cTBS) over the right DLPFC
left and right iTBS
ACTIVE COMPARATOR40 patients will receive intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) over the left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)
Interventions
iTBS over left and cTBS over right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for a period of three weeks. iTBS: 3-pulse 50 Hz bursts will be given every 200ms (at 5 Hz) in 2-second trains with an inter-train interval of 8 seconds. cTBS: 3-pulse 50 Hz bursts will be given every 200ms (at 5 Hz) in a single 40s train; one session will comprise left iTBS and right cTBS. There will be two sessions daily with 60 min in between sessions
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- DSM-5 diagnosis of a single or recurrent major depression
- Failure of at least two adequate antidepressant treatments
- HAMD-17 total score of ≥ 23 and a Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI-S) of ≥ 4
- Age 18-65 years
- Right-handedness (assessed with the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory)
You may not qualify if:
- Seizures in medical history
- Medical history of major systemic illness, neurological disorders and previous brain injuries
- Current psychotic symptoms
- Substance abuse or dependence within last 3 months
- Borderline personality disorder (based on DSM-5 criteria)
- Pregnancy
- Active suicidal intent
- Benzodiazepines other than Lorazepam \< 2mg/d
- failure to comply with the study protocol or to follow the instructions of the investigating team
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna
Vienna, 1090, Austria
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Interventions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- SINGLE
- Who Masked
- OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Assoc.-Prof. PD Dr.
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
August 18, 2017
First Posted
August 22, 2017
Study Start
August 1, 2017
Primary Completion
July 31, 2020
Study Completion
December 31, 2020
Last Updated
March 13, 2019
Record last verified: 2019-03