Rapid non-invasive brain stimulation to reduce hoarding symptoms
Official title: Rapid Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation for Hoarding Disorder
Run by Stanford University · NCT06712914 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study will try short sessions of non-invasive brain stimulation (iTBS) to see if they reduce hoarding symptoms in adults with hoarding disorder.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 10 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Stanford University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Palo Alto, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 27, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | January 1, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | April 22, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06712914 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18–70 with a primary diagnosis of hoarding disorder and sufficiently severe symptoms who can consent and attend in-person iTBS sessions are the ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
People who are pregnant or nursing, have implanted devices or prior TMS/ECT exposure, unstable psychiatric or medical conditions, or a different primary diagnosis are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Researchers will deliver accelerated intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) using a MagPro X100 device to adults with primary hoarding disorder who have significant symptom severity. Participants will attend repeated, rapid in-person brain stimulation sessions at Stanford University Medical Center and are screened for exclusions such as prior TMS/ECT, implanted devices, pregnancy, or unstable medical/psychiatric conditions. The protocol targets brain regions involved in decision-making and emotional regulation with the goal of reducing difficulty discarding and clutter. Outcomes will include changes in hoarding symptom severity and the tolerability of the rapid iTBS schedule.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a non-invasive treatment option that reduces hoarding symptoms beyond what therapy alone achieves.
How similar studies have gone: TMS and iTBS have shown mixed but sometimes promising results in related conditions like OCD and depression, while direct evidence specifically for hoarding disorder is limited and largely preliminary.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 18-70 years 2. Primary diagnosis of hoarding disorder 3. Sufficient severity of hoarding symptoms 4. Willing and able to understand and complete consent and study procedures Exclusion Criteria: 1. Psychiatric or medical conditions or medications that make participation unsafe 2. Pregnant or nursing females 3. Previous exposure to TMS or ECT 4. History of any implanted device or psychosurgery
Where it's running
-
Stanford University Medical Center
Palo Alto, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Carolyn I Rodriguez, MD, PhD — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Paula Munoz Rodriguez, PhD
- Email: clutterhelp@stanford.edu
- Phone: 650-723-4095
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.