NCT07561307Not yet recruiting
Optimizing Stimulation Parameters for Electroconvulsive Therapy
Parameter Refinement for ECT Stimulation and Titration Optimization
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 4 Sept 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
The goal of this clinical trial is to improve how electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) stimulation settings are chosen. Researchers will use real-time brain monitoring to measure both seizures and a recently identified brain event called cortical spreading depolarization (CSD). The main questions it aims to answer are: What is the best way to increase ECT stimulation settings? How do different pulse settings affect the brain's response? Can certain settings produce CSD without causing a seizure? Participants already receiving ECT as part of their care will take part. They will be assigned to one of two groups: Index ECT group: Participants starting ECT will receive different standard titration approaches. Maintenance ECT group: Participants receiving ongoing ECT will undergo a brief, low-dose stimulation test before treatment. All participants will be monitored using brain physiology (EEG and blood flow) and symptom scales during treatment.
- Status (registry)
- Not yet recruiting
- Study type
- Interventional
- Enrollment
- 64 (estimated)
- First submitted
- 25 Mar 2026
- Start date
- 1 Dec 2026
- Primary completion date
- 30 Jun 2029
- Lead sponsor
- University of Pennsylvania
- Diseases
- Depression
- NCT number
- NCT07561307
What you commit to
- Study type: Interventional
- Planned participants: 64
- From 1 Dec 2026 to the primary completion date, 30 Jun 2029
- 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.
Other illness
- Clinically significant psychiatric comorbidity as determined by clinical interview and in the opinion of the Investigator and clinical team would alter the risk/benefit of the study
- History of poor response to ECT treatment in the opinion of the Investigator and clinical team that would alter the risk/benefit of the study
- Presence of any disease, medical condition or physical condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, may compromise, interfere with, limit, affect or reduce the:
- subject's ability to participate safely in the study
- integrity of the data or
- subject's ability to complete the full duration of the study.
Other
- They are unwilling or unable to consent first to the SWEET COMBO protocol for optical monitoring during ECT
Who the study is looking for
- Any patients being treated with electroconvulsive therapy at Pennsylvania Hospital who are willing and able to participate are eligible to be subjects in this study.
Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Hospital Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Philadelphia | United States | Unknown status |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.