Recruiting

Investigating the Efficacy and Mechanisms of Individualized tACS Targeting Anhedonia in Late-Life Depression

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT07637773

PhaseNA

Enrollment80

SponsorJie Li

Age60 Years

SexALL

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Conditions studied

Late-Life Depression, Anhedonia

About this study

This project focuses on clinical translational research into personalized transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) for treating anhedonia in late-life depression (LLD). Key components include: (1) Optimizing individualized tACS treatment parameters through randomized, double-blind, controlled trials and establishing precise treatment protocols using deep learning algorithms; (2) Assessing the short-term (2 weeks) and long-term (3 months) efficacy of tACS on depressive symptoms and anhedonia using scales such as the HAMD, SHAPS, and DARS, while monitoring safety; (3) Integrating multimodal detection technologies (64-channel EEG, inflammatory factors/neurotransmitters, etc.) to elucidate the mechanisms by which tACS alleviates anhedonia through modulating prefrontal neural oscillations (y-band), improving synaptic plasticity (increased BDNF), and regulating neurotransmitters (5-HT, DA). This study will establish, for the first time, an individualized parameter system for tACS treatment of LLD, providing a novel non-pharmacological intervention strategy for clinical practice.

Interventions

Device: Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) — divided into a real-stimulus group and a sham-stimulus group
Device: shame tACS — The sham tACS group received 40 Hz tACS with a peak-to-peak amplitude of 1 mA, a frequency of y, and a sinusoidal waveform. The stimulation sites were located in the prefrontal cortex (F3 and F4) based on the 10-20 system of international EEG electrode placement, with CZ serving as the return electrode, which did not generate stimulation pulses.

Primary outcomes

Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS) (12 week)

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: * (1) Patients were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) - Clinical Version (SCID-5-CV) to confirm that they met the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for "major depressive disorder"; (2) Age ≥ 60 years; gender not restricted; (3) Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD)-17 score \> 24 Exclusion Criteria: \- (1) History of severe head trauma or serious neurological conditions such as epilepsy; (2) Any brain devices or implants, including cochlear implants and aneurysm clips; treatments such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). (3) Individuals who have undergone other physical modulation therapies within the past 8 weeks, including but not limited to non-convulsive electroconvulsive therapy, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, and transcranial direct current stimulation.

Study locations

Tianjin Anding Hospital, Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality 300222 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.