Actively Recruiting
Mechanisms Of Orbitofrontal Stimulation in Depression
Led by Subha Subramanian · Updated on 2026-05-14
80
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
241 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), a region involved in emotional regulation, decision making, and reward processing, is a key area linked to antidepressant response. This study tests whether noninvasive stimulation of the OFC using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can improve depressive symptoms. TMS uses magnetic fields generated by a coil placed next to the scalp to alter brain activity.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Mechanisms Of Orbitofrontal Stimulation in Depression
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 18-65 years
- Able to read, speak, and understand English
- Diagnosed with major depressive disorder experiencing a moderate to severe depressive episode (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score ≥ 17)
- Judged capable of completing study procedures by study staff
- In stable outpatient treatment with no hospitalizations or medication changes in the past 30 days
You will not qualify if you...
- Moderate to severe substance use disorder within the past three months
- History of fainting spells of unknown cause that may be seizures
- Diagnosis of epilepsy except a single benign seizure
- Current or past neurological disorders such as stroke, progressive disease, brain lesions, or prior neurosurgery/head trauma with lasting impairment
- Any unstable medical condition
- Presence of metal in the brain or skull (except dental fillings) unless cleared by a doctor
- Devices affected by TMS or MRI (e.g., pacemaker, medication pump, nerve stimulator, cochlear implant, TENS unit, shunt) unless cleared by a doctor
- Pregnancy; female participants will have a pregnancy test and pregnant individuals will not be enrolled
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02215
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Subha Subramanian, MD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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