How Thrill-Seeking Personality Relates to Magnetic Stimulation Treatment for Hard-to-Treat Depression
Looks at whether thrill-seeking traits affect magnetic stimulation results in adults with treatment-resistant depression.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Sensation Seeking and TMS Response in TRD
Key facts
- Where
- München, GermanySee the site
Where in Germany
- Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy,München, GermanyTaking 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
- Technical University of Munich
- Trial code
- NCT07889739
- Record updated
- 22 October 2026
- Original description
his real-world observational study examines whether sensation-seeking personality traits influence the clinical response to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Participants will complete a validated sensation seeking scale prior to TMS treatment, and depressive symptoms will be assessed using standardized clinical scales during and after the TMS course.Read full original descriptionShow less
Impact of Sensation Seeking on Clinical Outcomes of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)
his real-world observational study examines whether sensation-seeking personality traits influence the clinical response to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Participants will complete a validated sensation seeking scale prior to TMS treatment, and depressive symptoms will be assessed using standardized clinical scales during and after the TMS course.
Inclusion: Adults (≥18 years); Diagnosis according to ICD-10: recurrent depressive disorder, severe depressive disorder, schizoaffective disorder (depressive episode) or bipolar affective disorder (depressive episode); Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD): inadequate response to ≥2 adequate antidepressant trials in the current episode (per clinician judgment or ATHF if available); Baseline assessments available: MADRS within ≤7 days before first TMS session and baseline Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS) prior to or at treatment initiation; Capacity to provide informed consent and ability to complete study questionnaires in the site language.
Exclusion: Concurrent acute ECT or investigational device/drug during the TMS acute course (participation allowed if such treatments are not initiated during the observation window); Contraindications to TMS (per device labeling/clinical standards): any ferromagnetic or electronic intracranial/cranial implants, cochlear implant, deep brain stimulator, medication pump near coil, skull defect, or other conditions deemed unsafe by the treating clinician; History of seizure/epilepsy (except single, clearly provoked event), current epileptiform disorder, or significant neurological disease lowering seizure threshold (e.g., recent stroke, brain tumor, active TBI with persistent sequelae, active CNS infection); Moderate-to-severe substance use disorder within the past 3 months (excluding nicotine/caffeine), per clinician assessment; Any condition that, in the judgment of the treating clinician or PI, would preclude safe TMS delivery or reliable outcome measurement (e.g., severe cognitive impairment preventing valid MADRS/SSS completion); Imminent suicide risk requiring a higher level of care (e.g., active plan/intent) at screening.