Accelerated Magnetic Brain Stimulation for Major Depression and Related Blood Markers
Tests accelerated iTBS brain stimulation and blood markers in adults with major depression.
Key facts
- Who runs it
- Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
- Where
- Istanbul, TürkiyeSee the site
- Trial code
- Registry title
- Accelerated iTBS for Major Depression
- Status
- Recruiting
- People taking part
- 35 people, planned
- Started
- 8 Mar 2026
- Expected to end
- 31 Dec 2026
- Type of study
- Interventional
- Treatments tested
- Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS)
- Record updated
- 22 May 2026
Who can take part
AI summary
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 aged 18 to 65 with major depressive disorder who did not respond well to at least one antidepressant. It tests accelerated magnetic brain stimulation (iTBS).
- Age
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All sexes can join.
- Disease stage
- Major depressive disorder (DSM-5) with a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) score of 14 or higher at the start.
- Earlier treatment
- Inadequate response to at least one adequate antidepressant trial. Antidepressant dose stable for at least 4 weeks before entry.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or psychotic depression
- Current substance use disorder
- Epilepsy, past seizures or other brain diseases such as multiple sclerosis, dementia, Parkinson's disease
- Metal implants in the head or neck, cochlear implants, pacemaker or other implanted electronic devices
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
The registry criteria, word for word
Show all 22 criteriaShow less
Who can take part
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder according to DSM-5 criteria
- Inadequate response to at least one adequate antidepressant treatment trial
- Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) score ≥14 at baseline
- Stable dose of antidepressant medication for at least 4 weeks prior to study entry
- Ability to provide written informed consent
Who cannot take part
- Presence of metal implants in the head or neck region
- Cochlear implants
- Previous neurosurgical procedures
- Use of medications that may significantly affect neuroendocrine or inflammatory markers (e.g., corticosteroids, immunomodulators)
- History of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or psychotic depression
- Current substance use disorder
- Neurological disorders that may affect brain function (e.g., epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, dementia, Parkinson's disease)
- History of epileptic seizures
- Cardiac pacemaker or implanted electronic devices
- History of deep brain stimulation or vagus nerve stimulation
- Endocrine disorders affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (e.g., Cushing's syndrome, Addison's disease, thyroid disorders)
- Autoimmune diseases (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto thyroiditis)
- Recent surgery or acute infection
- Severe head trauma
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Active suicidal crisis, severe agitation, or inability to comply with study procedures
Check if you might fit
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?
Where in Türkiye
- İstanbul University-CerrahpaşaIstanbul, TürkiyeContact: Merve rANA Altunel Ülkü, MDTaking people
About the trial
What the trial wants to find out
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common and disabling psychiatric condition, and many patients do not achieve adequate response to standard antidepressant treatments. Accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is a promising neuromodulation approach that may provide rapid antidepressant effects. This prospective interventional study aims to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of accelerated bilateral dorsomedial prefrontal cortex iTBS in patients with MDD and to investigate treatment-related changes in neurobiological biomarkers, including cortisol, ACTH, BDNF, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP. Associations between biomarker changes and treatment response will also be examined.
The group in the trial
- Accelerated iTBSTreatment being tested
Participants receive accelerated bilateral dorsomedial prefrontal cortex intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) administered over five consecutive days, with four sessions per day (20 sessions total). Participants with partial clinical response may receive an additional 10 sessions.
Treatment: Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS)
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 doctorData and sources
- Registry record
- Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Official title
- Investigation of the Relationship Between Changes in Neurobiological Biomarkers After Accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment and Treatment Response in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder
- Plain-language title
- Accelerated Magnetic Brain Stimulation for Major Depression and Related Blood MarkersGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
- AI summary
- From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
- Fit questions
- Built from NCT07603804, who can take part
- Record updated
- 22 May 2026