Actively Recruiting
Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation for Adolescent and Young Adult Depression With Elevated Suicide Risk
Led by University of California, Davis · Updated on 2026-03-11
25
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
8 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of California, Davis
Lead Sponsor
S
Sorensen Foundation
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating a fast-acting, non-invasive brain stimulation treatment called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 25 who have major depressive disorder and suicidal thoughts. This study aims to see if TMS is feasible, acceptable, and helpful in reducing depression, suicidal thoughts, hospital visits, and improving daily functioning like school, work, and relationships. Participants receive TMS treatment over 5 consecutive days, with ten hourly sessions each day delivering bursts of magnetic pulses to targeted brain areas guided by MRI scans. Each session delivers 60 cycles of bursts at specific frequencies and intensities, totaling 90,000 pulses during the treatment period. MRI brain scans are done before and after the treatment to guide and assess the intervention. During the study, participants will have follow-up visits 1 week and 4 weeks after treatment to monitor changes in depression scores, suicidal ideation, healthcare use, and quality of life. Researchers will measure depression changes primarily using the MADRS score at 1 week. Safety and functioning assessments will also be completed. The total involvement spans from initial MRI and treatment through follow-up evaluations to understand the treatment's effects and feasibility.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation for Adolescent and Young Adult Depression With Elevated Suicide Risk
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- English speaking
- Able to provide informed consent
- Age between 15 and 25 years
- Discharged within the past week from emergency department for suicidal ideation or recently admitted in urgent health care setting or seen in outpatient clinic for depression-related suicidal thoughts
- Meets major depressive disorder criteria per the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)
You will not qualify if you...
- Unable to provide consent due to medical condition, psychosis, or substance use
- Use of benzodiazepines or medications interfering with TMS treatment as determined by the principal investigator
- Active or severe substance use that may interfere with study participation
- Untreated, active psychosis
- Female who is breastfeeding, pregnant, or planning pregnancy during the study
- Participation in any clinical study with investigational treatment within the previous 30 days or planning concurrent study participation
- Contraindications to receiving TMS or MRI based on screening questionnaires
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 5 consecutive days
Participants receive sessions of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) delivered hourly, with ten sessions per day for 5 consecutive days.
Daily visits for 5 days
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
UC Davis Medical Center
Sacramento, California, United States, 95817
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Se Ri (Sally) Bae, MD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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