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Optimizing tDCS Protocol for Clinical Use in Major Depressive Disorder

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Psychiatric Disorder
Depressive Disorder
Cognitive Impairment
Interventions
Device: transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
Device: multichannel transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
Registration Number
NCT06165445
Lead Sponsor
The National Brain Mapping Laboratory (NBML)
Brief Summary

In this project, the efficacy of different tDCS protocols in major depression will be investigated. The tDCS protocols have already been investigated in humans, and results showed that stimulation intensity has a different effect on tDCS long-term aftereffects based on the human motor cortex model. The project has three major goals: first, we want to see if the differential outcome of tDCS dosage, as present in healthy populations, can be translated to patients with major depression. Second, we want to compare the efficacy of a multi-channel novel protocol with conventional tDCS modules. Lastly, we are interested in the safety and tolerability of optimized multi-channel. The project output will be an optimized tDCS protocol for major depression treatment.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • Meet DSM-5 criteria for a moderate-to-severe major depression, primarily by a DSM-5-based structured interview by a licensed psychiatrist, confirmed by score on Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD)
  • being 18-60 years old
  • providing written informed consent
  • If female, negative urine pregnancy test
  • 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 tricyclics (TCAs)) with no change in treatment 6-weeks prior to and during the tDCS intervention
Exclusion Criteria
  • smoker
  • pregnancy
  • alcohol or substance dependence
  • history of seizure
  • history of neurological disorder
  • comorbid Schizophrenia Axis I disorder, bipolar disorder, substance abuse or dependence, dementia, personality disorder
  • history of head injury
  • currently receiving any form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Presence of ferromagnetic objects in the body that are contraindicated for brain stimulation of the head (pacemakers or other implanted electrical devices, brain stimulators, some types of dental implants, aneurysm clips, metallic prostheses, permanent eyeliner, implanted delivery pump, or shrapnel fragments)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
conventional tDCS grouptranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)The conventional tDCS group will receive 30 session of 20-minute stimulation at 2 mA intensities using standard electrodes (7 x 5 cm) over the target region
multi-channel tDCS groupmultichannel transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)The multi-channel tDCS group will receive 30 session of 20-minute stimulation at 2 mA intensities using 8 electrodes (2.5 x 2.5 cm) over the target region
sham tDCS grouptranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)The conventional tDCS group will receive 30 session of 20-minute placebo stimulation using standard electrodes (7 x 5 cm) over the target region
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
depressive symptomsup to 3 months after the intervention

the score on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). The BDI is a self-reported twenty-one questions about how the subject has been feeling in the last week, and each question has four answers ranging in intensity. Scoring 19 or higher on the BDI-II is considered moderate depression

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Working memory taskup to 1 month after the intervention

Performance in the Spatial Working Memory (SWM) task, which is a recommended test for depression by Cambridge Cognition (CANTAB)

Attention taskup to 1 month after the intervention

Performance in the Rapid Visual Information Processing (RVP) task, which is a recommended test for depression by Cambridge Cognition (CANTAB)

electroencephalogram (EEG) functional connectivityup to 1 week after the intervention

Change in the EEG functional connectivity in the frontal areas

Emotion Recognition Taskup to 1 month after the intervention

Performance in the Emotion Recognition Task (ERT), which is a recommended test for depression by Cambridge Cognition (CANTAB)

electroencephalogram (EEG) powerup to 1 week after the intervention

Change in the EEG alpha/theta/gamma power

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Zanjan University of Medical Sciences

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Zanjān, Zanjan, Iran, Islamic Republic of

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