Accelerated Magnetic Stimulation for Depression That Did Not Respond to ECT
Tests repeated magnetic brain stimulation in adults with depression who responded poorly to ECT.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Accelerated TMS for Treatment-Resistant ECT
Key facts
- Where
- Jette, BelgiumSee 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 adults with major depressive disorder who are referred for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). If ECT does not work well, they can take part in accelerated magnetic brain stimulation (TMS).
- Age
- 18 to 70 years
- Sex
- All sexes can join.
- Disease stage
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), referred for ECT treatment.
- Earlier treatment
- Referred for ECT treatment. The TMS part is for people for whom ECT is not effective.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Personal or close family history of seizures or epilepsy, or anything that lowers the seizure threshold
- Metal implants in the head area, cardiac pacemakers, or neurostimulators
- Some brain conditions, such as past stroke, brain aneurysm, or structural brain damage
- Cognitive problems or dementia (Mini Mental State score below 24)
- Suicide attempt within 6 months before the start, or present risk of suicide
Read by machine on 9 November 2026.
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 70 years old?
Source: NCT07115628, who can take part
Where in Belgium
- UZ BrusselJette, BelgiumContact: Chris Baeken, MD, PhDTaking 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
- Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel
- Trial code
- NCT07115628
- Record updated
- 11 August 2025
- Original description
This study investigates whether an additional treatment using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can help severely depressed patients who did not respond well to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).Read full original descriptionShow less
Accelerated dTMS Treatment for ECT-non Responders
This study investigates whether an additional treatment using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can help severely depressed patients who did not respond well to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
All participants will first receive standard ECT treatment for depression, including brain scans (fMRI), psychological testing, clinical assessments, and the collection of blood and stool samples. If the ECT treatment is not effective, patients will be invited to participate in a second part of the study where they receive a 4-day course of accelerated TMS (20 sessions in total).
The study aims to assess whether this additional TMS treatment can reduce depressive symptoms. The study also explores how brain structure, genetics, and gut health may relate to treatment success. In total, 200 patients will be included.
Inclusion: Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD); Age between 18 - 70 years; Referred for ECT treatment.
Exclusion: A personal history of seizures or epilepsy, a history of seizures or epilepsy in first degree relatives and the presence of any known factor that can lower the seizure threshold (sleep deprivation, abuse substance, etc.), previous head injury and the presence of metallic implants in the cephalic region (e.g., aneurysm clips, shunts, stimulators, cochlear implants, electrodes) except dental fill-ings and the presence of cardiac pacemakers, neurostimulators, surgical clips or other electronic equipment, comorbidity with some neurological disorders: increased intracranial pressure, space-occupying lesion, history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, brain aneurysm and any structural brain damage with increased risk for epilepsy detected with MRI; Suicide attempt within 6 months before the start of the study or pre-sent risk of suicide per the investigator's clinical judgment; Patients with cognitive disturbances or dementia (Mini Mental State) < 24.