Deep TMS for Comorbid Depression and Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults
- Conditions
- Mild Cognitive ImpairmentMajor Depressive DisorderAlzheimer Disease
- Interventions
- Device: Brainsway H1-Coil Deep TMS System
- Registration Number
- NCT03665831
- Lead Sponsor
- Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest
- 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.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 28
- 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
- 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
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- SINGLE_GROUP
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Active H1 Coil deep rTMS active treatment Brainsway H1-Coil Deep TMS System -
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change From Baseline on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) 4 weeks Therapeutic efficacy will be evaluated with the MADRS, a 10-item checklist. An effect size (Cohen's d) of 0.5 will be considered a minimally important effect size.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in Perfusion within Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) and Posterior Cingulate Cortex (PCC) 4 weeks Measured using Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) fMRI scan.
Change From Baseline on the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) 4 weeks This 16-item questionnaire is designed to help assess the degree of enjoyment and satisfaction experienced during the past week. Administration time is approximately 5 minutes.
Change in frontal theta power within the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) 4 weeks Measured with electroencephalography (EEG) and/or magnetoencephalography (MEG).
Change in Functional Connectivity between PFC and Limbic Regions 4 weeks Subjects will have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain. The change in functional connectivity between PFC and limbic regions, and within the default mode network, at rest is measured using resting state fMRI.
Response Rates Compared Within Treatment Group 4 weeks Response rate refers to the percentage of patients who responded to dTMS treatment and response is defined as a ≥50% reduction in MADRS score from baseline.
Change From Baseline on the Neuropsychological Battery 4 weeks Cognitive scores from the neuropsychological battery at baseline will be compared to 4 weeks post-intervention Cognitive domains tested include executive function, memory, language, attention, and intelligence.
Remission Rates Compared Within Treatment Group 4 weeks Remission defined as MADRS \< 10.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest
🇨🇦Toronto, Ontario, Canada