Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Early Phase 1 Interventional Ages 18 to 70

Personalized deep brain stimulation for treating depression

Official title: Clinical Application of Personalized DBS Target Optimization for Treating Depression

Run by Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine · NCT06784388 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a personalized deep brain stimulation treatment for people with depression that doesn't improve with other therapies to see if it can help them feel better.

Quick facts

PhaseEarly Phase 1
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
Enrollment5 (estimated)
SponsorSecond Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Hangzhou, Zhejiang)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJanuary 5, 2025
Main results expectedDecember 30, 2027
Study endsDecember 30, 2028
Registry record updatedApril 27, 2026
Trial IDNCT06784388 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder who have not responded to multiple antidepressant treatments.

Probably not a fit

Patients with severe medical disorders or those with psychotic symptoms may not benefit from this study.

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

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to optimize deep brain stimulation (DBS) for treatment-resistant depression by using personalized brain imaging and stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG). Participants will undergo a series of assessments, including preoperative evaluations, SEEG implantation, and long-term DBS treatment, to determine the most effective stimulation targets and parameters for each individual. The study will also explore neural biomarkers associated with depression symptoms and assess the efficacy of the personalized DBS strategies over time.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a tailored and effective treatment option for patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression.

How similar studies have gone: While personalized approaches in DBS for depression are emerging, this specific methodology is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. A psychiatrist-confirmed diagnosis of major depressive disorder in accordance with the Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders.5th Ed (DSM-V);
2. A psychiatric examination by two trained psychiatrists and a diagnosis consistent with the DSM-V;
3. A history of depression of at least 12 months duration in depressed patients (including MECT) who have failed to respond to a full dose and course of treatment with 2 or more antidepressants of different mechanisms;
4. A 17-item score on the HAMD scale ⩾ 20 at initial screening;
5. A score of ≤ 50 on the Gross Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale;
6. The patient himself/herself or legal guardian was able to fully understand the therapy and agreed to enroll after signing an informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Persons with severe or unstable cardiac, hepatic, renal, endocrine, hematologic, and other medical disorders and co-morbidities with psychotic symptoms, including personality disorders diagnosed by history, questioning, and clinical examination;
2. Persons with psychiatric disorders other than depression (except generalized anxiety);
3. Persons with a history of substance abuse within 12 months; persons with a previous history of epilepsy, and persons with febrile convulsions in childhood;
4. Patients with a history of suicide attempts within the past 6 months or more than 2 suicide attempts within the past 2 years;
5. Women who are breastfeeding, pregnant, and patients who are pregnant or intend to become pregnant during the clinical study;
6. Contraindications to DBS surgery and MRI;
7. Years of education less than or equal to 9 years;
8. Patients who are involuntarily hospitalized.

Where it's running

  • The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine
    Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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.