Deep TMS for Comorbid Depression and Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults

NCT ID: NCT03665831

Last Updated: 2025-10-27

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 28 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2018-10-23
• Study Completion Date: 2026-09-15

Brief Summary

In this study, the investigators will be examining the effects of the deep repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) using the H1 coil in patients over the age of 60 diagnosed with mild to early-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and comorbid Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) who have been unable to tolerate or failed to respond to antidepressant medications. The coil was designed to stimulate deeper regions of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Based on prior research, the investigators propose that active stimulation with the H1 coil for 4 weeks may result in significant remission rates and will be tolerable and safe.

Detailed Description

This study is an open-label trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of H1-coil dTMS in treating depression in MCI and mild AD patients over 60 years of age who have not tolerated or failed to respond to antidepressant medications. 28 patients will be assigned to receive 4 consecutive weeks of daily active dTMS treatment. The long-term effects of treatment on emotional cognitive measures will be assessed at a 4-week follow-up visit (8 weeks from baseline). Symptom change and remission criteria will be assessed using the Montogmery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Cognition will be assessed using a validated neuropsychological battery.

We will also offer patients to receive 4 weeks of treatment using theta-burst TMS, which is a milder version of TMS.

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder; Alzheimer Disease; Mild Cognitive Impairment

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Active H1 Coil deep rTMS active treatment

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Brainsway H1-Coil Deep TMS System

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) is a new form of TMS which allows direct stimulation of deeper neuronal pathways than the standard TMS. The H-coil is a novel dTMS coil designed to allow deeper brain stimulation without a significant increase of electric fields induced in superficial cortical regions. dTMS will be administered daily for 4 consecutive weeks.

Interventions

Brainsway H1-Coil Deep TMS System

Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) is a new form of TMS which allows direct stimulation of deeper neuronal pathways than the standard TMS. The H-coil is a novel dTMS coil designed to allow deeper brain stimulation without a significant increase of electric fields induced in superficial cortical regions. dTMS will be administered daily for 4 consecutive weeks.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• meet DSM 5 criteria for Major or Mild Neurocognitive Disorder due to Alzheimer's disease with Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR) score of at least 0.5
• have been diagnosed with DSM5 Major Depressive Disorder, with the current episode longer than 4 weeks but less than 5 years
• did not respond to or did not tolerate antidepressant treatment
• are willing to provide informed consent
• are able to follow the treatment schedule
• are stable on medications for 2 months and are not expected to change medication during the entire study period (if they are taking medications)
• have a satisfactory safety screening questionnaire for TMS
• have an informant/study partner who is able to complete study questionnaires regarding the participant

Exclusion Criteria

• have a metal plate in their head, except in the mouth (such as an ear implant, implanted brain stimulators, aneurysm clips)
• have known increased pressure or a history of increased pressure in their brain, which may increase their risk for having seizures
• have a cardiac pacemaker
• have an implanted medication pump
• have a central venous line
• have a significant heart disease or history of stroke
• Modified Hachinski Score (MHIS) > 3 (to exclude those with significant vascular component to memory loss)
• have a history of any psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, eating disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or dementia other than AD
• have a history of substance abuse in the last 6 months
• have a history of stroke or other brain lesions
• have a personal history of epilepsy
• have a family history of epilepsy
• are a pregnant or breast-feeding woman
• are taking psychotropic medications including antidepressant medications, antipsychotics or mood stabilizing medications due to increased risk of seizure
• are taking memantine
• have a history of abnormal MRI of the brain
• have significant hearing loss requiring use of hearing aids
• have untreated hypo- or hyper-thyroidism

• Minimum Eligible Age: 60 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Brainsway

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Linda Mah, MD

Clinician Scientist

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Canada

Central Contacts

Amanda Rahmadian, BSc

Role: CONTACT

dtms@research.baycrest.org

416-785-2500 ext. 3434

Linda Mah, MD

Role: CONTACT

preventad@research.baycrest.org

416-785-2500 ext. 3434

Facility Contacts

Linda Mah, MD, MHS, FRCPC

Role: primary

preventad@research.baycrest.org

416-785-2500 ext. 3434

References

Hodzic-Santor BH, Meltzer JA, Verhoeff NPLG, Blumberger DM, Mah L. Safety, tolerability, and feasibility of deep transcranial magnetic stimulation for late-life depression with comorbid major or mild neurocognitive disorder. Int Psychogeriatr. 2021 Jan;33(1):99-101. doi: 10.1017/S1041610220003543. Epub 2020 Nov 6. No abstract available.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 33153503 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

CICP-2-00095

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id