RECRUITING

Accelerated TMS for Perinatal Depression

Description

We are studying a treatment for depression called accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) among pregnant and postpartum individuals. TMS is a focal, non-invasive form of brain stimulation that is cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for depression. Typically, traditional TMS involves daily treatments for 6-8 weeks. In this study, we will offer an accelerated form of TMS that involves multiple daily treatments for 5 days.

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

We are studying a treatment for depression called accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) among pregnant and postpartum individuals. TMS is a focal, non-invasive form of brain stimulation that is cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for depression. Typically, traditional TMS involves daily treatments for 6-8 weeks. In this study, we will offer an accelerated form of TMS that involves multiple daily treatments for 5 days.

Perinatal Accelerated iTBS Neuromodulation Therapy

Accelerated TMS for Perinatal Depression

Condition
Perinatal Depression
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Boston

Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Age 18-55
  • * All individuals must be 14-34 weeks gestational age or within one year of delivery at the time of treatment. The odds of delivery nears 10% after 36 weeks, which would limit participants from being able to complete the study and interfere with the primary study aim to understand safety and tolerability. Additionally, after 36 weeks, the standard of care is weekly obstetric check-in visits, which would be challenging for patients to complete given the time demands of the study protocol.
  • * Patients will not be scanned after 32 weeks gestational age due to the time needed to construct the individualized treatment target. Individuals seeking treatment beyond 32 weeks will be offered scalp-based target localization so as not to limit patient access to care.
  • * English proficiency sufficient for informed consent, questionnaires/tasks, and treatment
  • * Primary diagnosis of major depressive disorder per DSM-V criteria (MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview/ Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5): \>20 on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and moderate to severe level of treatment resistance (Maudsley Staging Method)
  • * Stable antidepressant medication regimen, or remain medication free, for 4 weeks prior to treatment and to remain on this regimen throughout the treatment course. We request that this regimen remain stable until the 1 month post-treatment if clinically appropriate.
  • * Primary clinician (e.g. psychiatrist, therapist, psychologist, APRN, PA, etc.) responsible for psychiatric care before, during, and after the trial in addition to an obstetric provider responsible for obstetric care.
  • * Agreement to lifestyle considerations: Continue usual intake patterns of caffeine- or xanthine-containing products (e.g. coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate) throughout treatment
  • * Concurrent use of rapid acting antidepressant agent (ketamine/esketamine/ECT)
  • * Receiving or planning to receive other TMS treatments during course of participation
  • * Obstetric concerns: Preeclampsia and/or current frequent, painful contractions (more than one every 10 minutes)
  • * History of: Neurosurgical intervention for depression, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, severe cognitive impairment, significant neurological illness (e.g., dementia, Parkinson's, Huntington's, brain tumor, seizure disorder, subdural hematoma, multiple sclerosis, brain lesion), untreated or insufficiently treated endocrine disorder, and/or treatment with investigational drug or intervention during the study period
  • * ≥ 30% change in MADRS score between screening and baseline
  • * Anyone presenting with: Mania or hypomania, psychosis, active suicidal ideation with plan and some intent to act or a suicide attempt (defined by C-SSRS) within the past 3 months, neurological lesion, contraindications to either TMS or MRI (e.g., metallic implants, severe insomnia \> 4 hours per night with hypnotic, etc.), and/or current moderate or severe substance use disorder or demonstrating signs of acute substance withdrawal
  • * Existing tinnitus (ringing in the ears) that causes functional impairment
  • * History of retinal detachment or other retinal pathology
  • * Severe borderline personality disorder
  • * Any other condition deemed by the PI to interfere with the study or increase risk to the participant

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Brigham and Women's Hospital,

Study Record Dates

2027-01-01