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Neuromodulation and Attention Deficits in MDD

Multimodal study (Behavior, TMS, EEG) combining a sham-controlled intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) intervention with an additional-singleton task and EEG to evaluate whether left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) stimulation enhances cognitive control and modulates maladaptive attention processes in MDD and whether the effects are influenced by neuronavigated versus manual (Beam F3 method) localization of the stimulation site.

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT07111169

PhaseNA

Enrollment60

SponsorUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of China

Age18 Years

SexALL

I'm interested View official listing

Conditions studied

Major Depression Disorder, Cognitive Deficits, Selective Attention

About this study

Interventions

Device: intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) intervention — iTBS protocol: Intervention with an 80-120% resting threshold was used. In the active group, the left dlPFC was selected as the stimulation site and a stimulation protocol with iTBS parameters was given. This was a neuro-modulation protocol of excitatory sequences, with theta burst stimulation at 50 Hz, repeated at 5 Hz, stimulation for 2 s with an interval of 8 s, for a total of 1,800 pulses, with a treatment time of about 20 min/session, two sessions per day, with a15-30 min rest between sessions, and five consecutive days of treatment per week, with a rest of 2 days, and two weeks of treatment.

Primary outcomes

Depression severity following two weeks of iTBS treatment. (60-90 minutes before the first iTBS treatment and 60-90 minutes after last iTBS treatment.)

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: * 18-55 years * Right-handed * Normal or corrected normal visual acuity * MDD: meet the proposed DSM-5 MDD criteria, unmedicated or stable medicated within the last one month. Healthy subjects without any past or present psychiatric or neurological disorders. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of other severe mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, neurodevelopmental disorder, etc. * high suicidal risk * Unnormal intellectual functioning, auditory impairments, * Have received neuromodulation, such as Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy (MECT), or any psychotherapy within the past 6 months. * Only for the active-iTBS group: have a contraindication to MRI scanning (e.g., metal implants, claustrophobia or other conditions that make them inappropriate for MRI scanning).

Study locations

The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, Chengdu Fourth People's Hospital, Jiujiang Branch (Chengdu Mental Health Center), Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 China

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.