NCT05224063Completed
Probing the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex and Central Executive Network for Improving Neuromodulation in Depression
CRCNS US-France Research Proposal: Probing the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex and Central Executive Network for Improving Neuromodulation in Depression
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 15 Jul 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
Depression is a highly prevalent condition characterized by persistent low mood, energy, and activity that can affect one's thoughts, mood, behavior, and sense of well-being. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique, is an effective treatment for depression when targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) of the central executive network (CEN). However, remission rates are suboptimal and individual methods to target the dlPFC are lacking. In this study, we will enroll 50 patients with major depression and in a single rTMS 'dose,' prospective, randomized, double-blind, cross-over design will assess whether rTMS targeted to an individual's central executive network (CEN) assessed by single pulse TMS can enhance network modulation. If successful, this work will lead to a clinical rTMS trial comparing this personalized targeting approach against standard rTMS.
- Status (registry)
- Completed
- Study type
- Interventional
- Enrollment
- 50 (actual)
- First submitted
- 12 Jan 2022
- Start date
- 1 Jan 2023
- Primary completion date
- 27 Mar 2025
- Lead sponsor
- Stanford University
- Diseases
- Depression
- NCT number
- NCT05224063
What you commit to
- Study type: Interventional
- Participants enrolled: 50
- From 1 Jan 2023 to the primary completion date, 27 Mar 2025
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- A prior history of ECT or rTMS failure
- Currently taking medications that substantially reduce seizure threshold (e.g., olanzapine, chlorpromazine, lithium)
Other illness
- Any unstable medical condition
- History of head trauma with loss of consciousness
- History of seizures
- Neurological or uncontrolled medical disease
- Diagnosis of psychotic or bipolar disorder
Other
- Those with a contraindication for MRIs (e.g. implanted metal)
- Active substance abuse
- Currently pregnant or breastfeeding
Who the study is looking for
- Men and women, ages 18 to 65
- Depression assessed through in-depth Structured Clinical Interview for DMS-5 (SCID-I)
- PHQ9 \> 10 for disease severity
- Must comprehend English well to ensure adequate comprehension of the EEG and TMS instructions, and of clinical scales
- Right-handed
- No current or history of neurological disorders
- No seizure disorder or risk of seizures
- No use of PRN medication within 24 hours of the scheduled study appointment
Age in the registry: 18 years to 65 years · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford University Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Stanford | United States | Unknown status |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.