Accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment for Perinatal Depression in Pregnant and Postpartum Women

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating an accelerated form of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation TMS to treat depression in pregnant and postpartum individuals. Perinatal depression affects about one in five people during pregnancy and up to one year after birth and is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. This study focuses on a rapid treatment called Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy SAINT, which delivers multiple daily TMS sessions over five days, aiming to improve depressive symptoms faster than traditional methods. Participants will receive 10 intermittent theta burst stimulation iTBS sessions per day, each targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, for five consecutive days. Each session involves specific brain stimulation pulses delivered at a set intensity. Treatment targets will be personalized using MRI guidance when possible or scalp-based measurements if MRI is not suitable. The total treatment includes 90,000 pulses over the five-day period. During the study, participants will be closely monitored for tolerability, safety, feasibility, and acceptability of the accelerated TMS treatment. Researchers will assess depression severity and effects on birth outcomes and breastfeeding from before treatment through one month after completion. Participants will complete questionnaires and clinical evaluations, and adverse events will be recorded. The study will provide important information on this novel treatments potential for perinatal depression, with a follow-up period of one month after the treatment ends.

Accelerated TMS for Perinatal Depression