Comparing magnetic seizure therapy and electroconvulsive therapy for bipolar depression and treatment-resistant depression

Magnetic Seizure Therapy in Bipolar Depression (MST-BpD) and Treatment Resistant Depression (MST-TRD)

This study is testing whether magnetic seizure therapy works better than electroconvulsive therapy for people with bipolar depression who haven't found relief from other treatments.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Ages: 22 Years to 85 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Houston, Texas)
• Trial ID: NCT04080778 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and side effects of magnetic seizure therapy (MST) compared to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients suffering from bipolar depression and treatment-resistant depression. It focuses on individuals diagnosed with Bipolar I or II who are currently experiencing a depressive episode and require rapid intervention due to the severity of their condition. The study will assess both the therapeutic outcomes and the tolerability of these two treatment modalities.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals diagnosed with Bipolar I or II who are currently experiencing a depressive episode and have a history of hypomanic or manic episodes.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder or who are not currently experiencing a depressive episode may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a new, effective treatment option for patients with bipolar depression and treatment-resistant depression.

How similar studies have performed: While there is ongoing research in the field of magnetic seizure therapy, this specific comparison with electroconvulsive therapy is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* The condition under study: Patients who are diagnosed by Bipolar I or II, current episode depressed according to the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria (F31.3, F31.4, F31.5, F31.81) or treatment resistant depression defined below who require a rapid response due to the severity of their psychiatric or medical condition. ICD-10 Diagnostic Criteria for Bipolar Depression is as follows: A disorder characterized by two or more episodes in which the patient's mood and activity levels are significantly disturbed, this disturbance consisting on some occasions of an elevation of mood and increased energy and activity (hypomania or mania) and on others of a lowering of mood and decreased energy and activity (depression). Repeated episodes of hypomania or mania only are classified as bipolar. The patient is currently depressed, as in a depressive episode and has had at least one authenticated hypomanic, manic, or mixed affective episode in the past. Subjects with treatment resistant depression and have severe depression will be enrolled to the study. Severe depression will be defined as Hamilton Depression Severity Rating Scale score above 19 and also treatment resistance is described as a lack of clinically meaningful improvement in depressive symptoms after treatment with at least two different oral antidepressant medications as monotherapy, taken at adequate doses for adequate duration (at least 6 weeks) for their current episode of depression. The previous oral antidepressants could be from the same or different drug classes, which could include SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or any other oral antidepressants (FDA, 2019). Since its development in 1960 by Dr. Max Hamilton of the University of Leeds, England, Hamilton Depression Severity Rating Scale has been widely used in clinical practice and become a standard in pharmaceutical trials
* Both males and females any race and ethnic group.
* Age range between 22-85 years old.
* Ability to provide informed consent or assent.
* Ability to adhere to the study procedures.
* For females of reproductive potential: use of highly effective contraception for at least 1 month prior to screening and agreement to use such a method during study participation and for an additional one week after the end of ECT/TMS administration. Of note, ECT is indicated in depression during pregnancy and has been safely used for decades but MST's effects on fetus are still unknown
* For males of reproductive potential: use of condoms or other methods to ensure effective contraception with partner.
* Has sufficient English in completing self-rated scales.
* Good general health evidenced by obtained medical clearance before the procedures from another provider.
* On a stable drug regimen of psychotropic medication for at least 6 weeks at the time of entry into the study. Medication changes can be made during patient's study participation but would be limited to the clinical judgment of the PI.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Condition or diagnosis that precludes participation, including: Patients who have an implanted device that is activated or controlled in any way by physiological signals (examples: pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators \[ICD's\], vagus nerve stimulators \[VNS\] and wearable cardioverter-defibrillators \[WCD's\],ocular implants, deep brain stimulators, implanted medication pumps, intracardiac lines, even when removed; Patients who have conductive, ferromagnetic or other magnetic sensitive metals implanted in their head or within 30 cm of the treatment coil such as stents and bullet fragments). NOTE: Standard amalgam dental fillings are not affected by the magnetic field and are acceptable in patients\]; Patients suffering from vascular, traumatic, infectious, or metabolic lesions of the brain, even without a history of seizure, or without anticonvulsant medication; Patient suffering from sleep deprivation or alcoholism; Current or unstably remitted substance use disorder except nicotine or caffeine use disorder. Stable remission is defined as remission for at least 6 months; Pregnant or nursing patients; Patients with a history of epilepsy or unexplained seizures; Subjects with a history of space-occupying intracranial pathology; diseases which render a patient likely to suffer hemorrhage, including subdural hematoma, and aortic aneurysm; degenerative diseases of the central nervous system such as dementia or medical illness affecting brain function; Any anesthesia contraindications including significant cardiac or other medical risk factors; Body Mass Index over 60, as our ECT suite stretchers are not equipped to handle overweight patients; History of severe personality disorder, where, based on the judgment of the investigators, the personality disorder will interfere with the patient's ability to complete the follow-up protocol, e.g. borderline personality disorder; Imminent risk of suicide (based on the judgment of the investigators; e.g. patient has a plan for suicide, patient is not likely to seek medical attention in case of suicide, patient exhibits the presence of current suicidal ideation; Not able to comply with the operational and administrative requirements of participation in the study (based on the judgment of the investigators); Terminal illness associated with expected survival of \<12 months; Bipolar Depression with psychotic features (ICD-10 code:F31.5)
* Known allergic reactions to components of anaesthetic or induction agents including succinylcholine, metohexitol, ketamine, propofol, ketorolac.
* Participation in another drug, device, or biologics trial within the preceding 30 days
* Disallowed concomitant medications: antiepileptics and benzodiazepines as they are against seizure therapies, short or mid acting benzodiazepines such as alprazolam, temazepam, midazolam, lorazepam will be allowed but they should be skipped at least 10 hours before the procedures. Medications that are supposed to have weak antiepileptic features such as lamotrigine, topiramate, gabapentin will be reviewed by the PI and either tapered down or discontinued based upon clinical judgment. Lithium will be tapered off before the procedure because of the increased risk of postictal disorientation and delirium.

Where this trial is running

Houston, Texas

• The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston — Houston, Texas, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Joao L. De Quevedo, MD, PhD — The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
• Study coordinator: Joao L. De Quevedo, MD, PhD

Conditions Bipolar Disorder