Deep Magnetic Stimulation for Depression in Older Adults With Memory Problems
Tests deep magnetic brain stimulation in adults over 60 with depression and memory loss.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Deep TMS for Comorbid Depression and Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults
Key facts
- Where
- Toronto, CanadaSee the site
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for people aged 60 or older with Alzheimer's disease-related memory problems and depression who did not respond to or could not tolerate antidepressants. It tests deep magnetic brain stimulation (deep TMS).
- Age
- 60 years or older
- Sex
- All sexes
- Disease stage
- Mild or early-moderate memory loss due to Alzheimer's disease (Clinical Dementia Rating score of at least 0.5), with a current episode of major depression lasting longer than 4 weeks but less than 5 years
- Earlier treatment
- Did not respond to or could not tolerate antidepressant treatment. Medications must have been stable for 2 months and not expected to change during the study.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Metal in the head (except in the mouth), a pacemaker, an implanted medication pump or a central venous line
- Personal or family history of epilepsy, or raised pressure in the brain
- History of stroke, brain lesions or significant heart disease
- Taking antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers or memantine
- Pregnant or breast-feeding women
Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
Where in Canada
- Rotman Research Institute at BaycrestToronto, CanadaContact: Linda Mah, MD, MHS, FRCPCTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest
- Trial code
- NCT03665831
- Record updated
- 27 October 2025
- Original description
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.Read full original descriptionShow less
Treatment of Comorbid Depression and Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults With Neurocognitive Disorders Using Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS)
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.
Inclusion: 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: have a metal plate in their head, except in the mouth (such as an ear implant, implanted brain stimulators, aneurysm clips); have an implanted medication pump; 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 a significant heart disease or history of stroke; 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 taking psychotropic medications including antidepressant medications, antipsychotics or mood stabilizing medications due to increased risk of seizure; have a history of abnormal MRI of the brain; have a central venous line; Modified Hachinski Score (MHIS) > 3 (to exclude those with significant vascular component to memory loss); are a pregnant or breast-feeding woman; are taking memantine; have significant hearing loss requiring use of hearing aids; have untreated hypo- or hyper-thyroidism.