Neural Circuit Biomarkers of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Study

NCT ID: NCT04663841

Last Updated: 2026-01-05

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Total Enrollment: 100 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2020-11-02
• Study Completion Date: 2026-05-31

Brief Summary

This study is currently recruiting Veterans only. The objective of this observational study is to test whether neuroimaging biomarkers of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can be prospectively replicated in a large ecologically valid sample. We focus on cognitive network connectivity as a predictive biomarker of the clinical effect of TMS, and as a response biomarker of change with TMS. We address this objective through a pragmatic approach in which we recruit patients undergoing routine clinical care and program evaluation in a Veterans Administration multi-site clinical TMS program.

Detailed Description

Although repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is becoming a gold standard treatment for pharmacoresistant depression, we lack neural target biomarkers for identifying who is most likely to respond to TMS and why. To address this gap in knowledge this observational study evaluates neural targets defined by activation and functional connectivity of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex-anchored cognitive control circuit, regions of the default mode network and attention circuit, and interactions with the subgenual anterior cingulate.

The study evaluates whether these targets and interactions between them change in a dose-dependent manner, whether changes in these neural targets correspond to changes in cognitive behavioral performance, and whether baseline and early change in neural target and cognitive behavioral performance predict subsequent symptom severity, suicidality, and quality of life outcomes.

This study is designed as a pragmatic, mechanistic observational trial partnering with the National Clinical TMS Program of the Veteran's Health Administration.

All veterans will receive a clinical course of TMS as part of their routine care. Those who agree to enrollment in the observational study will be assessed at 'baseline' prior to commencement of their TMS treatment, 'first week' after initiation of TMS (targeting five sessions) and 'post-treatment' at the completion of TMS (targeting 30 sessions).

Veterans will be assessed using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a cognitive behavioral performance battery, and established questionnaires.

To our knowledge, our study will be the first pragmatic, mechanistic observational trial to use fMRI imaging and cognitive-behavioral performance as biomarkers of TMS treatment response in pharmacoresistant MDD.

Conditions

Depression

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: CASE_ONLY
• Study Time Perspective: OTHER

Interventions

transcranial magnetic stimulation

transcranial magnetic stimulation is delivered as part of routine care and is not managed by this observational study

Intervention Type: OTHER

Other Intervention Names

TMS; repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Ages 18 years and older
• Meets Diagnostic and Statistical Manual edition 5 (DSM-5) criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (as documented by the treating physician)
• Meet study criteria for pharmacoresistance in accordance with the Clinical transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) Program (i.e. failed at least one antidepressant in the current episode)
• Ability to obtain a motor threshold (MT) prior to the start of treatment
• Stable medical conditions and ability to maintain stability on current medication regimen for the duration of treatment
• Ability to participate in a daily treatment regimen
• Able to read, verbalize understanding, and voluntarily sign the Informed Consent Form prior to participating in any study-specific procedures or assessments

Exclusion Criteria

• History of seizure disorder
• Structural or neurologic abnormalities present or in close proximity to the treatment site
• History of brain surgery
• Pacemaker or medical infusion device (unless magnetic resonance imaging compatible)
• History of traumatic brain injury within 60 days of the start of treatment
• Severe or uncontrolled alcohol or substance use disorders
• Active withdrawal from alcohol or substances
• Implanted device in the head
• Metal in the head
• Severe impediment to vision, hearing and/or hand movement, likely to interfere with ability to complete the assessments, or unable and/or unlikely to follow the study protocols
• Lifetime history of bipolar I disorder
• Inability to speak, read or understand English
• Plans to move out of the area during the study period
• Clinician and/or Investigator discretion for clinical safety or protocol adherence

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

VA Palo Alto Health Care System

FED

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Florida State University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of South Florida

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Medical University of South Carolina

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of Minnesota

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center

FED

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Brown University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Providence VA Medical Center

FED

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Dartmouth College

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

White River Junction VA Medical Center

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Stanford University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Leanne Williams

Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Leanne Williams, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Stanford University

Locations

Stanford University Department of Psychiatry

Stanford, California, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

52695

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id