Tests brain-scan neurofeedback to ease depression in adults
Tests real-time brain-scan neurofeedback against a sham version in adults with major depressive disorder.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Neurofeedback to Treat Depression - 2
Key facts
- Where
- Philadelphia, United StatesSee the site
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 65 years old?
Source: NCT07159061, who can take part
Where in United States
- Center for Neuromodulation in Depression and StressPhiladelphia, United StatesTaking 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?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Pennsylvania
- Trial code
- NCT07159061
- Record updated
- 4 December 2025
- Original description
This study tests the efficacy of a new psychotherapeutic strategy for reducing negative attention bias (and therefore depression severity) in participants with MDD. This real-time fMRI neurofeedback therapy uses cloud-based pattern classification to decode a patient's attentional state and dynamically modulate task stimuli (in a closed loop) based on this state.Read full original descriptionShow less
Reducing Neural Perseveration Through Closed Loop Real Time fMRI Neurofeedback to Alleviate Depressive Symptoms
This study tests the efficacy of a new psychotherapeutic strategy for reducing negative attention bias (and therefore depression severity) in participants with MDD. This real-time fMRI neurofeedback therapy uses cloud-based pattern classification to decode a patient's attentional state and dynamically modulate task stimuli (in a closed loop) based on this state.
Inclusion: Gender, inclusive; Adult aged 18 - 65; Meets Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria for MDD according to the Clinician-Administered MDD Scale for DSM-5 (unipolar depression or bipolar II depressed); Scores at least a minimum score of 16 on Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS); Normal cognition; Participants must be able to read and understand English; Participants must be able to provide consent.
Exclusion: MRI contraindications (medical implant, claustrophobia, etc.); Use of psychoactive medication (including antidepressants) or currently in therapy; Neurological disorder or any condition that in the view of the PI could impact brain data, cause depression, require medication that could cause depressive symptoms, or otherwise result in participant being unfit for study (for example, co-morbid psychotic, neurological disorders, developmentally or cognitively disabled/impaired, active alcohol or drug abuse/dependence within the past 6 months); Outside age range; Pregnancy (female participants); Non-English speaking; Non-correctable vision loss; Refusal to provide informed consent; representing an active suicide risk.