Frequency and E-field Enhancement of ITBS for Depression (FREED)

NCT06003309 | Completed DMC FDA Device

• 1 other identifier: 807836
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 75
• Locations: 2 countries
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

The investigators propose a randomized 3-arm double-blinded parallel experimental trial (20 sessions over 4 weeks) in 75 patients with TRD. The three arms include (1) the combination of a fully Individualized form of intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) (using BOTH the frequency and electric field (E-field) targeting approaches) (Ind-iTBS)), (2) iTBS individualized using E-field targeting only (targeted-iTBS) and (3) Standard iTBS treatment (i.e., typical iTBS localized to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) using the Beam F3 method). Electroencephalography (EEG) data will be collected at rest and during a working memory task, at baseline, and at the end of treatment along with clinical assessments of depression severity. The target engagement dependent variable of interest in these three arms will be fronto-parietal theta connectivity measured through resting-state EEG. The investigators hypothesize that stimulation with Ind-iTBS will lead to greater changes in fronto-parietal theta connectivity than that produced with targeted-TBS and standard iTBS. Aim: To evaluate the effects of two individualized forms of iTBS (i.e., using BOTH the frequency and E-field individualization; Ind-iTBS) compared to iTBS individualized for E-field targeting only (targeted-iTBS) and standard iTBS on fronto-parietal theta connectivity. Hypotheses: (1) Ind-iTBS will lead to greater changes in fronto-parietal theta connectivity compared to both targeted-iTBS and standard iTBS. (2) Ind-iTBS will also lead to a greater reduction in depressive symptoms (as defined by the mean reduction in Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale Scores (MADRS)) compared to both targeted-iTBS and standard iTBS.

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change from pre-treatment in fronto-parietal theta connectivity at post-treatment

  Source-localized fronto-parietal theta connectivity will be calculated from resting EEG

  pre-treatment (within 24 hours prior to first treatment) and post-treatment (within 72 hours of final treatment)

Study Arms (3)

The fully individualized form of iTBS (BOTH the frequency and E-field targeting approaches)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

In the Ind-iTBS, the coil placement and current amplitude will be provided using individualized E-field modeling and coordinate-based cortical targeting. The stimulation frequency will also be individualized according to EEG-derived TGC.

Device: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) - Fully Individualized iTBS

iTBS individualized using E-field targeting only (targeted-iTBS)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

In the targeted-iTBS, the coil placement and current amplitude will be provided using individualized E-field modeling and coordinate-based cortical targeting.

Device: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) - targeted-iTBS

Standard iTBS treatment (i.e., typical iTBS localized to the DLPFC using the Beam F3 method)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The standard iTBS will be delivered with the typical 5Hz/50Hz patterned frequencies used in the FDA-approved treatment protocol and stimulation will be delivered according to the Beam F3 targeting.

Device: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) - Standard-iTBS

Interventions

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) - Fully Individualized iTBS DEVICE

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a safe and effective treatment for TRD that is increasingly being used in clinical practice across the world. It's mechanism of action is based on Farady Law of electromagnetic induction where the magnetic field produced by TMS coil induces electric field in the neurons. In the Ind-iTBS, the coil placement and current amplitude will be provided using individualized E-field modelling and coordinate-based cortical targeting. The stimulation frequency will also be individualized according to EEG-derived TGC.

The fully individualized form of iTBS (BOTH the frequency and E-field targeting approaches)

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) - targeted-iTBS DEVICE

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a safe and effective treatment for TRD that is increasingly being used in clinical practice across the world. It's mechanism of action is based on Farady Law of electromagnetic induction where the magnetic field produced by TMS coil induces electric field in the neurons. In the targeted-iTBS, the coil placement and current amplitude will be provided using individualized E-field modelling and coordinate-based cortical targeting.

iTBS individualized using E-field targeting only (targeted-iTBS)

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) - Standard-iTBS DEVICE

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a safe and effective treatment for TRD that is increasingly being used in clinical practice across the world. It's mechanism of action is based on Farady Law of electromagnetic induction where the magnetic field produced by TMS coil induces electric field in the neurons. The standard iTBS will be delivered with the typical 5Hz/50Hz patterned frequencies used in the FDA approved treatment protocol and stimulation will be delivered according to the Beam F3 targeting.

Standard iTBS treatment (i.e., typical iTBS localized to the DLPFC using the Beam F3 method)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosis of major depressive episode (MDE, in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5), in the context of unipolar major depressive disorder disorder.
• years of age.
• Male or female.
• At least one failed antidepressant medication trial at level 3 in the Antidepressant Treatment History Form: Short Form (ATHF-SF) classification.
• Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Score of ≥ 20 (moderate-severe depression).
• No increase or initiation of new antidepressant therapy in the four weeks prior to screening.
• Demonstrated capacity to give informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Inability to provide informed consent.
• Medically unstable patients.
• Concomitant neurological disorder or a history of a seizure disorder.
• Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Any psychotic disorder or current active psychotic symptoms.
• Patients who have intracranial implants, other medical device or condition deemed unsafe for TMS.
• Contraindication to MRI scanning.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of California, San Diego: lead
• National Institutes of Health (NIH): collaborator

Study Sites (2)

University of California, San Diego

La Jolla, California, 92093, United States

Location

Australian National University

Canberra, 2601, Australia

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depressive Disorder, Major

Interventions

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Depressive Disorder; Mood Disorders; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Magnetic Field Therapy; Therapeutics

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: QUADRUPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Chair of Psychiatry Department

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 11, 2023
• First Posted: August 21, 2023
• Study Start: August 31, 2023
• Primary Completion: December 30, 2025
• Study Completion: December 30, 2025
• Last Updated: February 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

AU (1); US (1)