Clinical trial Recruiting at 4 sites Interventional Ages 22 to 85

Motif XCS System for treatment-resistant depression

Official title: Regulated Stimulation for Optimized Network Activity and Therapeutic Equilibrium

Run by Motif Neurotech, Inc. · NCT07594483 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests whether the Motif XCS System is safe and tolerable and might help people with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages22 Years to 85 Years
SexAll
Enrollment20 (estimated)
SponsorMotif Neurotech, Inc.
Industry-sponsored
Locations4 sites (Atlanta, Georgia and 3 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedOctober 2, 2026
Main results expectedDecember 2027
Study endsDecember 2027
Registry record updatedNovember 9, 2026
Trial IDNCT07594483 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults ages 22-85 with unipolar major depressive disorder, currently in a major depressive episode, and with inadequate response to at least two antidepressants.

Probably not a fit

Patients who do not respond to the intervention or experience adverse effects may not benefit.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a prospective, multi-center, single-arm feasibility study evaluating the Motif XCS System for treatment-resistant depression. Eligible participants have a major depressive episode and insufficient response to at least two antidepressants. The study will monitor safety, tolerability, and preliminary signs of efficacy over defined follow-up visits. It is an open-label design conducted at three U.S. sites with standardized treatment and follow-up.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience improved depressive symptoms and symptom relief through the XCS system.

How similar studies have gone: Previous early feasibility studies in similar neuromodulation approaches have shown safety signals and potential symptom reduction, but this exact device and approach are novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Has a diagnosis of unipolar non-psychotic Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and is currently experiencing a major depressive episode (MDE) as defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
2. Has a screening Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score of ≥20
3. Has not had a sustained response to 2 or more adequately dosed antidepressant treatments from at least 2 different antidepressant treatment classes in at least one episode of major depressive disorder, according to the Antidepressant Treatment History Form (ATHF)
4. Is willing and able to provide written informed consent
5. Is 22-85 years of age
6. Is willing and able to comply with the protocol, including follow-up visits
7. Has been on a stable psychiatric treatment regimen for 30 days before the study screening MADRS and is willing to maintain a stable psychiatric treatment regimen through the Week 4 follow-up visit

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Has a cranial implant (with the exception of dental implants), neurostimulator, implanted medication pump, spinal cord stimulator, or pacemaker/implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
2. Has knowledge of planned magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) in the next 12 months, after implant
3. Is unable to undergo imaging with computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
4. In the opinion of the investigator, the implant and therapy pose an unacceptable surgical or medical risk to the patient
5. Is currently taking blood thinners and cannot be taken off blood thinners
6. Has taken ketamine or esketamine in the past 30 days or is planning on taking ketamine or esketamine before the 4-week follow-up visit
7. Has taken hallucinogenic or dissociative medications in the past 30 days or is planning on taking hallucinogenic or dissociative medications for the treatment of mood or anxiety disorders before the 4-week follow-up visit
8. Has a history of bipolar disorder
9. Has a history of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or other psychotic disorder
10. Has psychotic features in the current depressive episode
11. Has a chronic and clinically significant neurological disorder (epilepsy, dementia, delirium, amnestic disorder, brain tumor), or neuroimaging findings that would potentially impact the efficacy of treatment (e.g., extensive white matter disease, demyelinating lesions, atrophy, brain tumor)
12. Currently taking medication that would alter the seizure threshold, increasing potential seizure risks
13. Has a history of brain injury that resulted in current cognitive impairment
14. Has a history of bony disorders that impact the safe and effective use of the device as well as device implantation
15. Has a history of skin disorders that impact the safe and effective use of the device as well as device implantation
16. Has failed all attempts to achieve at least 50% reduction in depressive symptoms after completion of approved treatment courses of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for treatment of MDD
17. Is planning to receive any other neuromodulation therapy during the study
18. Meets the DSM-5 criteria for alcohol use disorder or other substance use disorder (not including tobacco/nicotine) within 12 months prior to study enrollment or, in the opinion of the investigator, is using illicit drugs recreationally or therapeutically which could impact the safety or effectiveness of the therapy
19. Female who is pregnant at the time of inclusion, or planning to become pregnant during the duration of the study, or not willing to use an effective method of birth control
20. Has a life expectancy less than 12 months
21. In the opinion of the investigator, is considered to be acutely suicidal (e.g., Type 4 or 5 on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale \[C-SSRS\])
22. In the investigator's opinion, any known comorbidity that would complicate the assessment of safety or prevent participation in follow-up visits

Before implantation of the Motif Digitally Programmable Over-Brain Therapeutic (DOT) Implant, subjects must continue to meet all study eligibility criteria. Subjects must also meet the following additional criteria:

1. Psychiatric treatment regimen has remained stable
2. Has skull thickness ≥5.5 mm and ≤15.5 mm over the implant target

Where it's running

  • Emory Healthcare
    Atlanta, Georgia, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Iowa
    Iowa City, Iowa, United States
    Recruiting
  • UTHealth Houston
    Houston, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Brain Health Consultants and TMS Center
    Houston, Texas, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.