Actively Recruiting
Accelerated TMS for Perinatal Depression
Led by Brigham and Women's Hospital · Updated on 2025-09-09
24
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
73 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
We are studying a treatment for depression called accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) among pregnant and postpartum individuals. TMS is a focal, non-invasive form of brain stimulation that is cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for depression. Typically, traditional TMS involves daily treatments for 6-8 weeks. In this study, we will offer an accelerated form of TMS that involves multiple daily treatments for 5 days.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Accelerated TMS for Perinatal Depression
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 18-55
- Pregnant individuals must be between 14 and 34 weeks gestation at the time of treatment
- Postpartum individuals must be within one year of delivery at the time of treatment
- Patients will not be scanned after 32 weeks gestational age; scalp-based target localization offered beyond this
- English proficiency sufficient for informed consent, questionnaires, and treatment
- Primary diagnosis of major depressive disorder per DSM-V with MADRS score >20 and moderate to severe treatment resistance
- Stable antidepressant medication regimen or medication free for 4 weeks prior to treatment and throughout treatment
- Primary clinician responsible for psychiatric care and an obstetric provider responsible for obstetric care during the trial
- Agreement to maintain usual caffeine or xanthine intake during treatment
You will not qualify if you...
- Concurrent use of rapid acting antidepressants (ketamine, esketamine) or electroconvulsive therapy
- Receiving or planning other TMS treatments during participation
- Obstetric concerns such as preeclampsia or frequent painful contractions (more than once every 10 minutes)
- History of neurosurgical intervention for depression, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, severe cognitive impairment, significant neurological illness, untreated endocrine disorder, or use of investigational drugs during study
- Change of 30% or more in MADRS score between screening and baseline
- Presence of mania, hypomania, psychosis, active suicidal ideation with plan or recent suicide attempt within 3 months
- Neurological lesion or contraindications to TMS or MRI (e.g., metallic implants, severe insomnia requiring hypnotics)
- Moderate or severe substance use disorder or signs of acute withdrawal
- Existing tinnitus causing functional impairment
- History of retinal detachment or other retinal pathology
- Severe borderline personality disorder
- Any other condition deemed by the principal investigator to interfere with the study or increase risk to the participant
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
I
Interventional Psychiatry Research Group
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
OTHER
Number of Arms
1
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