Recruiting

qEEG Brain Signature of Depression & Neuromodulation-induced Recovery

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT06719427

PhasePHASE1

Enrollment100

SponsorSunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Age18 Years

SexALL

I'm interested View official listing

Conditions studied

Major Depressive Diorder

About this study

This study aims to explore how repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a treatment for depression, affects brain function. Depression disrupts the brain's complex network or regions that regulate cognition, emotion, and behavior. rTMS targets these disruptions to restore network function. To measure these effects, researchers will use dry quantitative EEG (qEEG), a new technology that records brain electrical activity quickly (15 minutes compared to 1 hour for traditional EEG) without the need for gel or lengthy electrode setups. This study will evaluate a novel qEEG activity developed by iMediSync (Republic of South Korea) in patients treated with neuromodulation for depression before, during, and up to 12 months after treatment to see if changes in brain activity to identify patterns associated with symptomatic improvement and relapse risk. Findings could help personalize depression treatments by predicting patient outcomes and optimizing care.

Interventions

Device: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation — rTMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain. It is commonly used for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety, and sometimes ALS.

Primary outcomes

Change in Depression Score on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) (2 years)

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: * A diagnosis of Depression based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) 5.0 criteria. * Receiving a neuromodulation (rTMS) treatment for depression at the HCN * Physically healthy * Age 18-80, inclusive. * Able to provide informed consent and comply with the study protocol. * Patients will not be excluded solely based on communication (i.e., non-English speaking) unless they have exclusion criteria that is the cause of the communication difficulties. Exclusion Criteria: * Moderate substance use disorder or greater severity based on DSM 5.0 criteria and confirmed by a study MD on clinical assessment. * Mild and major comorbid medical conditions (as determined by investigators - e.g., neurological diseases, uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes, malignancy) * A major comorbid psychiatric disorder (as determined by investigators - e.g., schizophrenia or bipolar disorder) and/or psychosis at the time of study enrollment. * History of seizure disorder * Pregnant

Study locations

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, North York, Ontario M4N 3M5 Canada
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5 Canada

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: 2026-09-27.