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Developing Brain Imaging Analysis Expertise for Personalizing Transcranial Electric Stimulation in Anhedonia Treatment of Patients With Bipolar Depression

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) will engage reward-related brain circuitry, more specifically the uncinate fasciculus (UF) tract, which connects the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAcc) regions. Also to evaluate whether the changes in the fractional anisotropy (FA) of the UF tract are associated with changes of clinical symptoms of anhedonia and finally to investigate the moderation role of simulated electric fields (EFs) in an…

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT05240352

PhaseNA

Enrollment45

SponsorThe University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Age18 Years – 50 Years

SexALL

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Conditions studied

Anhedonia

About this study

Interventions

Device: active tDCS — Subjects will receive active dose (constant current intensity of 2mA) from the tDCS device for 30 minutes per session for two weeks with no sessions on Saturday and Sunday (Monday to Friday), and one additional session two and four weeks later
Device: sham tDCS — Subjects will receive a dose from a "sham-tDCS"that is, a device which delivers a different pattern of electric current for 30 minutes per session for two weeks with no sessions on Saturday and Sunday (Monday to Friday), and one additional session two and four weeks later

Primary outcomes

change in the fractional anisotropy of the uncinate fasciculus (baseline, 6 weeks)

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: * diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder and clinically significant anhedonia * mild symptoms of depression Exclusion Criteria: * substance abuse/dependence and any use of drugs (except alcohol or nicotine) in the previous month of the baseline assessment * participants with personality disorder that would interfere with study participation according to clinical judgment * previous neurological conditions (epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke, etc) * any severe, life-threatening non-psychiatric medical condition * specific contraindications for tDCS (metallic plates in the head) * Participants identified as acutely suicidal or severely agitated

Study locations

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030 United States

Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-10-14.