Impact of Electroconvulsive Therapy on Brain Networks and Sleep

Disruptions of Brain Networks and Sleep by Electroconvulsive Therapy

Observational Washington University School of Medicine · NCT05905705

This study is testing how electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) affects sleep and brain activity in people with treatment-resistant depression to see if it helps improve their condition.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages21 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorWashington University School of Medicine Academic / other
Locations1 site (St Louis, Missouri)
Trial IDNCT05905705 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates how electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) affects sleep-wake regulation and the efficiency of information transfer in brain networks among patients with treatment-resistant depression. Using electroencephalography (EEG), researchers will analyze functional networks and measure local and global information transfer during different states of arousal. The study aims to assess the relationship between sleep slow-wave activity and awake local efficiency, as well as the correlation between depression severity and awake local efficiency throughout the course of ECT.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression who have not responded to at least two antidepressant medications.

Not a fit: Patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance understanding of how ECT improves sleep and brain function in patients with treatment-resistant depression.

How similar studies have performed: While studies on ECT have been conducted, this specific approach using EEG to analyze brain networks and sleep is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Referral for initial ECT index course for Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD), unipolar major depressive disorder or bipolar depression. Historic failure of response or remission to at least two antidepressant medications of sufficient dose and duration will be used for TRD diagnostic.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnoses of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders.
* Subjects who are unable to tolerate the Dreem device for sleep recordings will be excluded from the study.

Where this trial is running

St Louis, Missouri

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Treatment Resistant Depression
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.