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NCT06874374Completed

Individualized Non-invasive Brain Stimulation for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

Closed-Loop Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (CL-tACS) for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Randomized Pilot Study

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 18 Aug 2026

Brief summary (registry, in English)

The purpose of this research study is to study a closed-loop transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) device to evaluate feasibility of the product in a clinical trial and collect preliminary data on potential effects on symptoms of depression in people with major depressive disorder.

Status (registry)
Completed
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
40 (actual)
First submitted
28 Jan 2025
Start date
11 Apr 2025
Primary completion date
22 May 2026
Lead sponsor
Pulvinar Neuro, LLC
Diseases
Depression
NCT number
NCT06874374

What you commit to

  • Study type: Interventional
  • Participants enrolled: 40
  • From 11 Apr 2025 to the primary completion date, 22 May 2026
  • 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

  • Initiated any new psychotropic medication in the 6 weeks prior to screening or had a dose change in the preceding 6 weeks
  • Received any neurostimulation treatment in the 6 weeks preceding screening
  • Neurological disorders that would increase risk of participation or present a significant confounder in the opinion of the investigator (for example, dementia, history of stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, history of traumatic brain injury with prolonged loss of consciousness, ruptured cerebral aneurysm, previous CNS radiation)
  • Previously failed to respond to ECT or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
  • Prior brain surgery and/or brain implants

Other illness

  • DSM-5 diagnosis of severe alcohol use disorder (AUD) within the last 12 months, as evidenced by the DIAMOND
  • DSM-5 diagnosis of moderate to severe substance use disorder (excluding tobacco) within the last 12 months, as evidenced by the DIAMOND
  • Lifetime history of bipolar disorder, as evidenced by DIAMOND
  • Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, as evidenced by DIAMOND
  • History of autism spectrum disorder
  • History of seizures (excluding febrile seizures in childhood or Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) induced seizures)
  • Unstable medical disorder or anything that would place the participant at increased risk or preclude the participant's full compliance with or completion of the study, in the opinion of the Investigator

Other

  • Initiated a new course of psychotherapy in the 6 weeks preceding screening
  • Implanted medical device that uses electricity
  • Current pregnancy or lactation
  • Currently enrolled in another clinical trial for depression
  • For the optional MRI session only: Contraindication to MRI according to MRI Screening Form

Who the study is looking for

  • Any gender, aged 18 - 70
  • Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
  • Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
  • DSM-5 diagnosis of unipolar, non-psychotic MDD as evidenced by the DIAMOND
  • HDRS-17 score ≥14
  • Low suicide risk (defined for this study as no active suicidal ideation in the past month and no suicide attempts, preparatory actions, or significant non-suicidal self-harm in the previous 2 years). Risk will be assessed utilizing the C-SSRS screen and triage version with further exploration of positive responses.
  • Capacity to understand all relevant risks and potential benefits of the study (informed consent)
  • For people of childbearing potential: use of highly effective contraception as determined by the Investigator for at least 1 month prior to screening and agreement to use such a method during study participation

Age in the registry: 18 years to 70 years · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers

Full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov

Sites (1)

Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.

SiteCityCountrySite status
Carolina Center for Neurostimulation
Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status
Chapel HillUnited StatesUnknown status

This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.