Tests magnetic brain stimulation at different left front-brain spots for mental illness

Trial details

Who runs it

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Trial code

NCT06376734

Record updated

16 July 2026

Original description

Participants will receive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) at a random location in the left prefrontal cortex, excluding sites that are potentially unsafe. Extensive behavioral testing will be conducted to determine which behaviors are modulated by stimulating which circuits.Read full original descriptionShow less

Transdiagnostic Circuit Mapping of Prefrontal Targets in Accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Participants will receive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) at a random location in the left prefrontal cortex, excluding sites that are potentially unsafe. Extensive behavioral testing will be conducted to determine which behaviors are modulated by stimulating which circuits.

Inclusion: Age 18-65; English proficiency sufficient for informed consent, questionnaires/tasks, and treatment; Primary diagnosis of one of the following: major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), or schizophrenia (determined by focal assessment using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5); ≥20 on the Beck Depression Inventory for patients with MDD; ≥16 on the Beck Anxiety Inventory for patients with GAD; ≥16 on the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale for patients with OCD; ≥58 on the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale for patients with schizophrenia; Stable psychotropic medication regimen, or remain medication free, for 4 weeks prior to treatment (Medication changes during study enrollment period will be tracked for post hoc analysis); Primary clinician (e.g. psychiatrist, therapist, psychologist, APRN, PA, etc.) responsible for psychiatric care before, during, and after the trial.

Exclusion: Recent (within 4 weeks) or concurrent use of rapid-acting antidepressant agent (ketamine/esketamine/ECT); Ferromagnetic metallic implant that would contraindicate receiving TMS or obtaining MRI; Receiving or planning to receive other TMS treatments during course of participation; History of:; Neurosurgical intervention for mental illness; Moderate to severe autism spectrum disorder; Intellectual disability; Severe cognitive impairment; Significant neurological illness (e.g., dementia, Parkinson's, Huntington's, brain tumor, seizure disorder, subdural hematoma, multiple sclerosis); Untreated or insufficiently treated endocrine disorder; Eating disorders; Treatment with investigational drug or intervention during the study period; Positive urine drug screen for illicit substances; Cluster B personality disorders (antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder); Diagnosis of Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Type; Current evidence of:; Mania or hypomania; Active suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt within the past year; Contraindications to either TMS or MRI (e.g., metallic implants, etc.); Current moderate or severe substance use disorder or demonstrating signs of acute substance withdrawal; Significantly increased seizure risk as determined by a clinician; For participants with schizophrenia:; Evidence of impaired capacity to consent, e.g. impaired insight into illness, as deemed by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist on the study team; Hospitalization with psychosis in the past 6 months; Any other condition deemed by the PI to interfere with the study or increase risk to the participant; Active pregnancy as determined by a urine pregnancy test; PTSD with active, clinically significant symptoms, as determined by clinician; Any other TMS or MRI safety concerns identified by the clinician; Existing tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06376734