Accelerated Neuromodulation of Anterior Cingulate Cortex for Depression
Key facts
- Where
- Toronto, CanadaSee 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 60 and 85 years old?
Where in Canada
- Rotman Research Institute at BaycrestToronto, CanadaTaking 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
- Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest
- Trial code
- NCT07212465
- Record updated
- 28 October 2025
- Original description
The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether an accelerated deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) protocol can reduce depressive symptoms in older adults (ages 60-85) with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) who have not tolerated or responded to antidepressant medications. The study will evaluate whether accelerated dTMS administered over 5 consecutive days is safe and well-tolerated in this population, and whether it produces greater reductions in depressive symptoms compared to placebo stimulation.Read full original descriptionShow less
Feasibility, Tolerability, and Preliminary Efficacy for Non-Invasive Neuromodulation of the Anterior Cingulate Cortex for Depression (NACC-D) in Older Adults Using Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation With an Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst Protocol
The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether an accelerated deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) protocol can reduce depressive symptoms in older adults (ages 60-85) with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) who have not tolerated or responded to antidepressant medications. The study will evaluate whether accelerated dTMS administered over 5 consecutive days is safe and well-tolerated in this population, and whether it produces greater reductions in depressive symptoms compared to placebo stimulation.
Inclusion: are between 60- 85 years old (on the day of randomization); have been diagnosed with DSM5 Major Depressive Disorder, with the current episode longer than 4 weeks but less than 5 years; did not respond to/did not tolerate, or failed to achieve remission with at least one antidepressant trial of 8 week minimum duration; are willing to provide informed consent; are able to follow the treatment schedule; are stable on medications for 2 months and are not expected to change medication during the entire study period (if they are taking medications); have a satisfactory safety screening questionnaire for TMS.
Exclusion: have a metal plate in your head (such as an ear implant, implanted brain stimulators, aneurysm clips). Dental devices and implants that are non-magnetic are safe; have an implanted medication pump; are on unstable doses of any psychotropic medication such as - antidepressants, antipsychotic, mood stabilizers or memory enhancing medications; have known increased pressure or a history of increased pressure in their brain, which may increase their risk for having seizures; have a cardiac pacemaker; have a history of any psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, eating disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or dementia; have a history of substance abuse in the last 6 months; have a history of stroke or other brain lesions; have a personal history of epilepsy; have a family history of epilepsy; have a history of abnormal MRI of the brain; have unstable medical condition(s); have a central venous line; are a pregnant or breast-feeding woman; have untreated hypo- or hyper-thyroidism; have any other known contraindications to TMS; require daily doses of benzodiazepines or hypnotics within two weeks of randomization.