Actively Recruiting
Search for Novel Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Targets for Mental Illness
Led by Brigham and Women's Hospital · Updated on 2026-02-17
180
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
278 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
B
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Participants will receive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) at a random location in the left prefrontal cortex, excluding sites that are potentially unsafe. Extensive behavioral testing will be conducted to determine which behaviors are modulated by stimulating which circuits.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Search for Novel Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Targets for Mental Illness
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 18 to 65 years
- Ability to read and understand English sufficiently to provide informed consent and complete questionnaires and tasks
- Primary diagnosis of major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or schizophrenia confirmed by Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5
- Beck Depression Inventory score of 20 or higher for major depressive disorder patients
- Beck Anxiety Inventory score of 16 or higher for generalized anxiety disorder patients
- Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale score of 16 or higher for obsessive-compulsive disorder patients
- Positive and Negative Symptom Scale score of 58 or higher for schizophrenia patients
- Stable psychotropic medication regimen or medication free for at least 4 weeks before treatment
- Having a primary clinician responsible for psychiatric care before, during, and after the trial
You will not qualify if you...
- Active pregnancy confirmed by urine pregnancy test
- Diagnosis of any Cluster B personality disorder (antisocial, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder with active clinically significant symptoms
- Diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type
- Use of rapid-acting antidepressants (ketamine, esketamine, ECT) within 4 weeks before or during study
- Presence of ferromagnetic metallic implants contraindicating TMS or MRI
- Any other safety concerns for TMS or MRI identified by clinician
- Receiving or planning other TMS treatments during study participation
- History of neurosurgical mental illness treatment
- Moderate to severe autism spectrum disorder
- Intellectual disability
- Severe cognitive impairment
- Significant neurological illnesses such as dementia, Parkinson's, Huntington's, brain tumor, seizure disorder, subdural hematoma, or multiple sclerosis
- Untreated or insufficiently treated endocrine disorders
- Eating disorders
- Treatment with investigational drugs or interventions during study period
- Current mania or hypomania
- Active suicidal thoughts or suicide attempt within past year
- Contraindications to TMS or MRI such as metallic implants
- Moderate or severe substance use disorder or acute withdrawal signs
- Significantly increased seizure risk as determined by clinician
- For schizophrenia patients: impaired capacity to consent or hospitalization for psychosis within past 6 months
- Positive urine drug screen for illicit substances
- Existing tinnitus (ringing in ears)
- Any condition deemed by the principal investigator to interfere with study or increase risk
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
Acacia Clinics
Sunnyvale, California, United States, 94087
Actively Recruiting
2
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
E
Emily Aquadro, MD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
3
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