BridgeMD
New treatment option for Major Depressive Disorder
Official title Evaluating tDCS Brain-stimulation in Depression Using MRI
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05598034
What this study is testing
- What it's testing
- Patients, physicians, and those who fund depression research are keenly interested in depression treatments that do not involve taking medications. One promising candidate treatment is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a low-cost technique that involves placing electrodes on specific scalp locations and using a 9-volt battery to cause a small amount of electricity to pass through parts of the brain.
- Which group you join is decided by chance.
A plain-language read of the study's public ClinicalTrials.gov listing. The study team confirms the details.
Who can take part
Ages 20 to 55
You may be able to join if
- Age between 20 to 55 years, inclusive
- Gender: all
- Race/ethnicity: all races and ethnic groups
- Capacity to provide informed consent
- Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score of ≥17 and \<24, with or without symptoms of anxiety.
You likely can't join if
- Pregnancy
- Non-English speaking (due to scales administered)
- Substance Use Disorder within last 12 months
- Neurological condition associated with brain abnormalities (e.g., traumatic brain injury; recent stroke, tumor)
- Any contraindication to tDCS (e.g., skin disease or treatment causing irritation)
- Any condition that would contraindicate scanning (metal implants, claustrophobia or a breathing or movement disorder)
See the full eligibility criteria
- Age between 20 to 55 years, inclusive
- Gender: all
- Race/ethnicity: all races and ethnic groups
- Capacity to provide informed consent
- Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score of ≥17 and \<24, with or without symptoms of anxiety.
- Treatment naïve or on a stable standard antidepressant regimen (including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MOAIs) or...
- Work at UCLA or live within 1-hr driving distance of UCLA
- Pregnancy
- Non-English speaking (due to scales administered)
- Substance Use Disorder within last 12 months
- Neurological condition associated with brain abnormalities (e.g., traumatic brain injury; recent stroke, tumor)
- Any contraindication to tDCS (e.g., skin disease or treatment causing irritation)
- Any condition that would contraindicate scanning (metal implants, claustrophobia or a breathing or movement disorder)
- Currently receiving any form of psychotherapy
- Change in antidepressant medication within 6-weeks of starting the trial
- Severe or treatment resistant depression - HAMD scores \> 24 and a history of a major depressive episode lasting \>2- years or failure to 2 or more antidepressant trials in the current index episode
- Any neuromodulation therapy (e.g., ECT, rTMS, DBS, VNS or tDCS) within the last 3-months
- Current or past (within the last 1-month) use of anticonvulsants, lithium, psychostimulant, dexamphetamine
- Current use of decongestants or other medication previously shown to interfere with cortical excitability
- Diagnosis: Schizophrenia Axis I disorder, or dementia of any type
- Bipolar I disorder (due to possible risk of mania and because lithium and anticonvulsants are excluded).
- On regular benzodiazepine medication that it is not clinically appropriate to discontinue for the 2-week duration of the trial
- Depression related to serious medical illness (i.e., mood disorder due to general medical condition) 17. Actively suicidal as defined by a score of 4 on item 3 of HAMD
The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Where it's taking place
- Los Angeles, California, United States
Questions & answers
Do participants get paid in this trial?
This listing doesn't specify compensation. Many trials still reimburse travel or offer a stipend, so it's worth asking the study team when you connect.
Is it free to join, and do I need insurance?
Searching and applying through BridgeMD is free. In clinical trials the study-related treatment and visits are generally provided at no cost to you. You usually don't need insurance to take part - confirm specifics with the study team.
How long does this study last?
The listing doesn't state an exact length. The study team walks you through the schedule and number of visits before you decide to enroll.
Who can join this trial?
This study is enrolling all sexes, 20 years to 55 years. The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Where is this trial taking place?
Study sites include Los Angeles, California, United States. Enter your location above to see the nearest site and check your eligibility.
Explore other conditions
BridgeMD is an information and trial-matching tool - not medical advice, and not the study sponsor. Details come from ClinicalTrials.gov; the study team decides eligibility.