Testing electrical stimulation settings for ECT in depression and catatonia
Compares stimulation settings for electroconvulsive therapy in people with depression or catatonia.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Optimizing Stimulation Parameters for Electroconvulsive Therapy
Key facts
- Where
- Philadelphia, United StatesSee the site
Where in United States
- Pennsylvania HospitalPhiladelphia, United StatesNo longer taking part
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
- NCT07561307
- Record updated
- 4 September 2026
- Original description
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).Read full original descriptionShow less
Parameter Refinement for ECT Stimulation and Titration Optimization
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.
Inclusion: 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.
Exclusion: 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; They are unwilling or unable to consent first to the SWEET COMBO protocol for optical monitoring during ECT.