Pilot Study on Neuroendocrine Tests Predicting Response to Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment for Major Depression

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the predictive value of specific neuroendocrine tests TRH-TSH and DST in how patients with major depression respond to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation-theta burst stimulation rTMS-TBS. This pilot study involves adults aged 18 to 65 who have major depression and have not adequately responded to two previous antidepressant treatments. The goal is to see if these tests can predict a decrease of at least 50% in depression scores after treatment. The study involves 20 sessions of rTMS-TBS delivered once daily on weekdays. This treatment uses bursts of magnetic stimulation at high frequency for about five minutes per session. Patients will be evaluated for their depression symptoms at baseline, after ten sessions, and after the full 20 sessions using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale. Neuroendocrine tests are performed at the start and, if abnormal initially, again at the end of the treatment. Participants will be hospitalized patients monitored by investigators who assess their depression levels while blinded to the neuroendocrine test results. Assessments occur at inclusion, mid-treatment, and end of treatment to determine response. The main outcome is the change in depression scores after six weeks. Safety and other neuroendocrine changes will also be observed. The study is conducted over about six weeks with careful clinical and laboratory monitoring throughout.

Added Value of a Neuroendocrine Test Battery in the Response to Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) Treatment