CI

At a glance

ClinicalIndex Comparison Record
Phase 3Completed· 34 enrolled
Drug / intervention
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)device
Likely dose
Not stated in record
Structured eligibility isn't available for this trial yet — see the full criteria in the Eligibility tab below.

Standardized by ClinicalIndex from the ClinicalTrials.gov record · verify against the source.

Search/NCT03421808
NCT03421808Phase 3Completed

Randomized Controlled Trial of EEG/fMRI Controlled TMS For Treating Depression

Medical University of South Carolina·interventional·Posted Feb 5, 2018·Updated Nov 4, 2025

In Brief

A Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Depression. Completed, enrolled 34 participants across 1 site.

Detailed Summary

Daily prefrontal TMS for depression, as developed by the PI, involves delivering TMS pulses to the prefrontal cortex and not assessing what the actual EEG phase is of the person's brain. In cardiology, in order to stimulate the heart effectively, one has to know the rhythm and phase of the heartbeat in order to perform cardioversion. The investigators wonder if it is important to time the brain stimulation with the phase of the person's brain. The brain has definite rhythms, and cycles through being excited or resting. A common EEG rhythm is alpha frequency. Theoretically, the effect of the TMS pulse might be diminished if it was delivered when the brain was temporarily cycling into an off state. In the r21 part of this grant, the investigators designed and constructed a combined TMS/EEG/fMRI system. With that equipment the investigators found that TMS pulses have different effects deeper in the brain as a function of the EEG alpha phase. Pulses delivered during a rising phase produce larger blood flow changes deeper in the brain than do pulses delivered during a falling phase. In the R33 phase of the grant the investigators now take that idea into a small clinical trial in depression to test if synchronized pulses have a larger clinical effect than do non-synchronized pulses.

Study Details

Study Typeinterventional
Allocation--
Masking--
Primary Purpose--
ConditionsDepression
CountriesUnited States

Timeline

Phase 3CompletedFinished
201820192020202120222023202420252026
First PostedFeb 5, 2018
Enrollment StartNov 30, 2018
Primary CompletionJan 1, 2022
Study CompletionJan 15, 2024
TodayJul 2, 2026
Enrollment to primary: 3.1 yearsPosted 8.4 years ago

Interventions

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)device

TMS