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NCT Number: NCT07032428

Efficacy of kTMP, a Novel Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Method, for the Treatment of Anhedonia

The goal of this proposal is to provide a first assessment of the efficacy of our innovative non-invasive brain stimulation system, kTMP, in the treatment of anhedonia in MDD.

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Key information

Conditions

Anhedonia Depressive Disorder Depressive Disorder, Major Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Mental Disorders Mood Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurobehavioral Manifestations Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

21 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

The goal of this clinical trial is to to test and validate a novel, first-in-class, non-invasive approach to engage the brain reward circuitry for treating anhedonia, a core symptom of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). We've developed a kilohertz Transcranial Magnetic Perturbation (kTMP) device that non-invasively modulates neural activity without patient discomfort. The trial will assess the proof-of-mechanism for kTMP's efficacy in improving anhedonia in MDD patients.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

(1) Patients 21-80 years of age with clinically significant anhedonia, as defined by a SHAPS score of at least 20, and (2) Meet DSM-VTR diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive Disorder.

Exclusion criteria

(1) Reason to anticipate possible hospitalization during the course of the study; (2) Current/history of a psychotic disorder, current manic or mixed episode, meeting the DSM-VTR criteria for bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, at screening, autism spectrum disorders, or mental retardation; (3) Meet DSM-VTR criteria for a substance use disorder within the last year; (4) Current suicidal ideation, suicidal ideation with intent, plan or attempt within the last year, or are considered at significant risk for suicide during the study; (5) Use of any drugs/medications that may interfere/interact with the expected outcomes of the study within 5 half-lives of study participation (see Human Subject section for details); (6) History of seizure; (7) Intracranial expansive process; (8) Pacemaker or any metal implants in head/neck region; (9) Pregnancy; (10) Uncontrolled medical problems including but not limited to severe cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary disease, severe alcohol or drug abuse within the past year; (11) Contraindications for non-invasive brain stimulation or magnetic resonance imaging procedures; (12) Any other condition that in the opinion of the investigator would preclude participation in the study.

Treatment and study plan

A new non-invasive brain stimulation tool

Device

kTMP is a magnetic induction method that delivers continuous kHz-frequency cortical electric fields (E-fields) which may be amplitude-modulated to potentially mimic electrical activity at endogenous frequencies which will be tested on anhedonia patients in this study.

A new non-invasive brain stimulation tool with sham setting selected

Device

This device will counterbalance the active kTMP conditions

Primary outcomes

  1. Ventral striatal BOLD response during reward anticipation

    Time frame: 2 months

    To assess ventral striatal activation during reward anticipation, patients will participate in a Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) task while in an MRI scanner. We will measure the change in BOLD response during reward anticipation trials, comparing active and sham kTMP and the parametric effect of kTMP on the BOLD response.

  2. The relationship between the level of ventral striatal engagement and clinical scores of anhedonia

    Time frame: 2 months

    For each patient, we will obtain the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) scores and carry out a multiple regression analysis

Secondary outcomes

  1. Changes in scores of the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS).

    Time frame: 6 months

    The Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) is a well-validated 14-item questionnaire used to assess anhedonia. It asks participants to agree or disagree with statements of hedonic response in pleasurable situations.

  2. The response bias in the Probabilistic Reward Task (PRT).

    Time frame: 6 months

    This task is designed to assess the propensity to modulate behavior as a function of reinforcement history and has been found to reflect reward-related function.

  3. The motivation to pursue reward in the Effort Expenditure for Rewards Task (EEfRT).

    Time frame: 6 months

    The primary outcome measure in EEfRT is the proportion of high-effort, high-reward choices a participant makes with respect to low-effort, low-reward option, which indicates their willingness to expend effort to attain a larger reward.

  4. Scores in the Visual Analog Scale of Anhedonia (VAS).

    Time frame: 6 months

    The Visual Analog Scale (VAS)-Anhedonia is a standard VAS assessment of anhedonia severity which provides a global anhedonia indicator.

  5. Scores in the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS).

    Time frame: 6 months

    The TEPS is an 18-item self-report measurement of anticipatory and consummatory components of anhedonia which consists of a series of statements that must be rated according to how accurate they are for the individual.

  6. Scores in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D).

    Time frame: 6 months

    The HAM-D 17-item version will be included in exploratory analysis to provide confirmatory support for changes in depression severity with treatment.

  7. Scores in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A).

    Time frame: 6 months

    The HAM-A is a rating scale designed to measure the severity of anxiety symptoms.

  8. Scores in The Cognitive and Physical Functioning Questionnaire

    Time frame: 6 months

    The Cognitive and Physical Functioning Questionnaire (CPFQ) is a 7-item self-report instrument was intended to be a brief scale for measuring cognitive and executive dysfunction in patients with mood and anxiety disorders.

  9. Scores in The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS)

    Time frame: 6 months

    A suicide risk assessment tool that supports suicide risk assessment through a series of simple, plain-language questions that anyone can ask.

  10. Scores in The Clinical Global Impression - Severity (CGI-S)

    Time frame: 6 months

    The CGI-S is a widely administered clinician rated global measure of subject overall illness severity.

  11. Scores in The Clinical Global Impression - Improvement (CGI-I)

    Time frame: 6 months

    The CGI-I is a widely administered clinician rated global measure of the degree of improvement from the initial assessment in subject overall illness severity.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Christina Merrick

CONTACT

[email protected]

Ludovica Labruna

CONTACT

[email protected]

510-423-7125

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Magnetic Tides

Industry

Collaborators

  • University of California, San Francisco

Registry information

Acronym: kTMP Anhedonia

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Jun 24, 2025
Registry last updated
Jul 8, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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