Efficacy of Biomarker-guided rTMS for Treatment Resistant Depression
Overview
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Intervention
- Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
- Conditions
- Treatment Resistant Depression
- Sponsor
- Weill Medical College of Cornell University
- Enrollment
- 348
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in depression, as measured by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD17)
- Status
- Recruiting
- Last Updated
- 2 months ago
Overview
Brief Summary
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a treatment for depression. The investigators are continuing to learn how to optimize outcomes from rTMS treatment. The purpose of this research project is to use brain network connectivity patterns as measured by resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to confirm a way to optimize the use of rTMS to treat depression. In addition, the study aims to gain a better understanding of how rTMS influences brain networks.
Detailed Description
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of global disability, and approximately 30% of MDD patients are resistant to antidepressant pharmacotherapy. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is an FDA-cleared intervention with proven efficacy in treatment-resistant depression, but only 30-40% of these patients achieve remission after a single course. Other studies have shown that rTMS targeting the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC) is comparably effective, but biomarkers for informing target site selection do not exist. Diagnostic heterogeneity has been an obstacle to biomarker discovery efforts. Recently, we developed and validated an approach to diagnose four novel MDD subtypes or "biotypes' defined by resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) patterns and predicting differing antidepressant responses at the individual level to rTMS. This pivotal trial will test a novel, biotype-guided treatment selection strategy motivated by the hypothesis that an individual patient's likelihood of responding to left DLFPC vs.DMPFC rTMS is determined in part by individual differences in 1) the degree to which their symptoms are driven by dysfunction in specific cerebral network targets comprising Valence Systems; and 2) the degree to which dysfunction in those targets can be modulated by stimulating the left DLPFC or DMPFC. Subjects (N=348; 174 from this site) will be randomized to receive a) biotype-guided rTMS targeting the DMPFC or left DLPFC; b) to a disconfirmation arm receiving rTMS targeting the opposite site; and c) to a third arm receiving FDA-cleared, standard-of-care rTMS targeting the left DLFPC, regardless of biotype. The dosage and method of delivery of rTMS for all arms are as follows: intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) will be delivered at 120% of the resting motor threshold. It will be administered in triplet 50 Hz bursts, repeated at 5 Hz with a duty cycle of 2 s on and 8 s off, for a total of 600 pulses per session and a total duration of 3 min 9 s. All patients will be assessed before and after treatment on a battery of fMRI, behavioral, and clinical assessments. The primary goal is to confirm the efficacy of a novel RSFC biomarker-guided approach to differential treatment selection in treatment resistant depression.
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Age 22 to 65 years
- •Major Depressive Disorder (by M.I.N.I., Diagnostic Statistical Manual V (DSM-V criteria)); Verification by evaluation by licensed study psychiatrist or psychologist
- •At least moderately severe depression (17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale greater than or equal to 18)
- •Failure to respond in the current episode to at least 1 antidepressant medication at an adequate dose and duration as measured by a modified Antidepressant Treatment History Form. The Maudsley Staging Method will also be used to quantify treatment resistance.
- •Any and all medication intended to treat depression or reduce symptoms of depression must be discontinued or maintained at the same daily dose for ≥ 4 weeks prior to enrollment and for the duration of the study
- •Capacity to consent
- •Written consent to allow communication between members of the research team and the patient's outpatient clinician(s) (psychiatrist, psychotherapist, nurse practitioner, primary care physician, or equivalent) as needed to ensure safety
- •Ability to safely participate in MRI
- •Fluent in English
Exclusion Criteria
- •Imminent risk of suicide (based on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale)
- •Current depressive episode greater than or equal to 2 years duration
- •Presence of primary psychiatric diagnoses other than MDD and/or comorbid generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or phobia (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder; obsessive-compulsive disorder; MDD w psychotic features; primary psychotic illness; Bipolar I or II)
- •DSM-5 defined addiction to, dependence on, abuse of, or misuse of any substance during the prior 12 months, excluding nicotine
- •Evidence of cognitive impairment (MMSE score falling greater than or equal to 1 SD below the mean score for his or her age and education)
- •Recent onset (within 8 weeks of screening) psychotherapy, including, but not limited to: any form of treatment, aid, or therapy that has intensively and extensively examined the patient's psychological history, including, but not limited to: cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and family-focused therapy
- •Prior exposure to an adequate dose and duration of the TMS treatment protocol administered in this study during the current depressive episode.
- •Participated in any clinical trial with an investigational drug or device within the past 6 weeks prior to screening
- •History of neurosurgery to treat a neurological or psychiatric disorder
- •Evidence or history of significant neurological disorder, including moderate-severe head trauma, stroke, Parkinson's disease or other movement disorder (except benign essential tremor), epilepsy, history of seizures, cerebrovascular disease, dementia, increased intracranial pressure, history of repetitive or severe head trauma, or primary or secondary tumors within the central nervous system
Arms & Interventions
Standard of Care
FDA-cleared, standard-of-care iTBS repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), regardless of the depression subtype (biotype) determined by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
Intervention: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Targeted Side Arm
iTBS rTMS targeting the area of the brain (DLPFC or dorsomedial prefrontal cortex DMPFC)) that we hypothesize will be most effective for that subject's biotype (confirmation arm).
Intervention: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Opposite Side Arm
iTBS rTMS targeting the opposite site (DLPFC or DMPFC) than the one we hypothesize will be most effective for that subject's biotype (disconfirmation arm).
Intervention: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in depression, as measured by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD17)
Time Frame: Baseline and 1 Week Post Treatment (8-10 weeks)
The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD17) is a 17 item clinician-rated measure of depression severity. Scores of 0-7 = Normal, 8-13 = Mild Depression, 14-18 = Moderate Depression, 19-22 = Severe Depression, ≥ 23 = Very Severe Depression
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in depression, as measured by the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomology (QIDS)(Baseline and Post Treatment (7-9 weeks))
- Change in Resting State fMRI Connectivity(Baseline and after completion of treatment (7-9 weeks))