Using Temporal Interference to Treat Major Depressive Disorder

Evaluation of Temporal Interference in Target Engagement of Subgenual Cingulate Cortex in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

This study is testing a new non-invasive treatment using brain stimulation to see if it can help people with major depression feel better.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Unity Health Toronto (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Toronto, Ontario)
• Trial ID: NCT05295888 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the use of Temporal Interference (TI) stimulation as a novel non-invasive treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). TI involves applying two high-frequency currents that create a 'beat' effect, allowing for targeted neuromodulation in the brain's subgenual cingulate cortex, which is crucial for depression. The study aims to assess the efficacy of this approach compared to sham stimulation in patients with moderate to severe depression. Participants will be closely monitored to evaluate treatment response and safety.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 65 who meet the criteria for major depressive disorder and have moderate to severe symptoms.

Not a fit: Patients with acute substance use disorders or those who have recently changed their psychotropic medications may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

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

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of Temporal Interference is novel, similar neuromodulation techniques have shown promise in treating depression in other studies.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria - Patients will be included if they:

1. provide written informed consent before initiation of any study-related procedures
2. are outpatients
3. meet the DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) with a current major depressive episode (MDE) without psychotic features as confirmed at Screening by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)
4. are male or female, 18 to 65 years of age (inclusive) at screening
5. have a Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score of ≥ 20 (moderate to severe depression) at screening
6. have had no increase or initiation of any psychotropic medication in the 4 weeks prior to screening
7. able to adhere to the treatment schedule
8. pass the TI adult safety screening questionnaire
9. are able to understand and comply with the requirements of the study, as judged by the investigator(s)

Exclusion Criteria - Patients will be excluded if they:

1. have an acute alcohol or substance use disorder, withdrawal symptoms requiring detoxification, or went through detoxification treatment (inpatient or outpatient) within 3 months before Screening, as obtained from MINI, Module I (Alcohol Use Disorder) and Module J (Substance Use Disorder, Non-Alcohol) assessed at Screening
2. have a concomitant major unstable medical illness, active hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HPC), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), active COVID-19 infection, cardiac pacemaker or implanted medication pump, as per medical history provided by the participant
3. have active suicidal intent, confirmed by a 'Yes' response to Question B3 AND either Question B10 or B11, obtained from the MINI Suicidality, Module B (Suicidality), OR confirmed by the MADRS item #10 score ≥ 4, both assessed at Screening
4. have a current clinical diagnosis of autism, dementia, or intellectual disability
5. take medications prohibited by the protocol. Medications will be reviewed by the responsible MD
6. are pregnant or lactating
7. have any prior or current diagnosis of bipolar I or II disorder, MDD with psychotic features, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, delusional disorder, or current psychotic symptoms as obtained from MINI, Module C (Manic and Hypomanic Episodes) and Module K (Psychotic Disorders and Mood Disorders with Psychotic Features) assessed at Screening
8. have any prior or current diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (current or within the last year), confirmed by MINI and assessed by a study investigator to be primary and causing greater impairment than MDD
9. have a diagnosis of any personality disorder, and assessed by a study investigator to be primary and causing greater impairment than MDD
10. have received TI for any previous indication due to the potential compromise of subject blinding
11. have any significant neurological disorder or insult including, but not limited to: any condition likely to be associated with increased intracranial pressure, space-occupying brain lesion, any history of seizure except those therapeutically induced by ECT or a febrile seizure of infancy, cerebral aneurysm, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, multiple sclerosis, significant head trauma with loss of consciousness for greater than 5 minutes, current history of poorly controlled migraines including chronic medication for migraine prevention
12. have an intracranial implant (e.g., aneurysm clips, shunts, stimulators, cochlear implants, or electrodes) or any other metal object within or near the head, excluding the mouth, that cannot be safely removed
13. if participating in psychotherapy, have NOT been in stable treatment for at least 3 months prior to entry into the study or anticipate change in the frequency of therapeutic sessions or therapeutic focus over the duration of the study
14. have a clinically significant laboratory abnormality, in the opinion of one of the principal investigators or study physicians
15. currently take medications that potentially limit the TI efficacy
16. have a non-correctable clinically significant sensory impairment (i.e., cannot hear well enough to cooperate with an interview)
17. have a clinical finding that is unstable or that, in the opinion of the investigator(s), would be negatively affected by the study medication or that would affect the study medication (e.g., diabetes mellitus, hypertension, unstable angina)
18. have uncorrected hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Subjects needing a thyroid hormone supplement to treat hypothyroidism will be excluded if they have NOT been on a stable dose of the medication for 30 days prior to enrolment
19. have any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator(s), would adversely affect the subject's ability to complete the study or its measure
20. wear a hairstyle or headdress at the time of the stimulation that prevents electrode contact with the scalp or would interfere with the stimulation (e.g., thick or curly hair)
21. have any contraindications for receiving TI or undergoing MRI scans (e.g., hip circumference \>180 cm or metal in the body)

Where this trial is running

Toronto, Ontario

• Interventional Psychiatry Program, St. Michael's Hospital - Unity Health Toronto — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Venkat Bhat, MD MSc — Unity Health Toronto
• Study coordinator: Venkat Bhat, MD MSc

Conditions Major Depressive Disorder