Synaptic Mechanisms of Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation for Major Depressive Disorder

Summary

Many people with depression do not get better with standard treatments like medications or talk therapy. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in depression. One form of TMS called intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is FDA-cleared for depression and takes only 3 minutes to deliver. However, about one-third of patients do not respond to iTBS, and another one-third do not reach full remission. Improving iTBS requires a better understanding of how it works in the brain.

Shortened from the sponsor's brief summary. View official record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Conditions studied

• Major Depression
• Healthy Participants

Eligibility basics and study details

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 1/2

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

Sponsor

Mclean Hospital

Last updated on ClinicalTrials.gov

October 30, 2026

These are the basic criteria only. The full inclusion and exclusion criteria are on the official record, and the study team decides who can take part.

US recruiting sites