Targeting Specific Brain Networks to Treat Specific Symptoms in Depression
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a way of non-invasively stimulating specific brain networks and is an established treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). This proposal will reveal network mechanisms of the therapeutic effects of rTMS by investigating how stimulating each network specifically changes network connectivity and behavior. This will be done in a highly individualized manner in depressed and healthy patients, leading to more effective and more individualized treatments for…
Conditions studied
Major Depressive Disorder
About this study
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a way of non-invasively stimulating specific brain networks and is an established treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). This proposal will reveal network mechanisms of the therapeutic effects of rTMS by investigating how stimulating each network specifically changes network connectivity and behavior. This will be done in a highly individualized manner in depressed and healthy patients, leading to more effective and more individualized treatments for depression.
Interventions
- Device: Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) — iTBS is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation used to treat depression. It works on the principles of electromagnetic induction.
Primary outcomes
- Resting-state functional connectivity (FC) (1 hour)
- Blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) activation (1 hour)
- Applied Cognition-General Concerns scale (10 minutes)
- Profile of Mood States Tension subscale (5 minutes)
- Profile of Mood States Vigor subscale (5 minutes)
- Profile of Mood States Dejection subscale (5 minutes)
- State Shame and Guilt Scale (5-10 minutes)
- Fawcett-Clark Pleasure Capacity Scale (5-10 minutes)
Eligibility information
Study locations
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02129 United States
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-28.