Frequency and E-field Enhancement of ITBS for Depression (FREED)

The investigators propose a randomized 3-arm double-blinded parallel experimental trial (20 sessions over 4 weeks) in 75 patients with TRD. The three arms include (1) the combination of a fully Individualized form of intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) (using BOTH the frequency and electric field (E-field) targeting approaches) (Ind-iTBS)), (2) iTBS individualized using E-field targeting only (targeted-iTBS) and (3) Standard iTBS treatment (i.e., typical iTBS localized to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) using the Beam F3 method). Electroencephalography (EEG) data will be collected at rest and during a working memory task, at baseline, and at the end of treatment along with clinical assessments of depression severity. The target engagement dependent variable of interest in these three arms will be fronto-parietal theta connectivity measured through resting-state EEG. The investigators hypothesize that stimulation with Ind-iTBS will lead to greater changes in fronto-parietal theta connectivity than that produced with targeted-TBS and standard iTBS. Aim: To evaluate the effects of two individualized forms of iTBS (i.e., using BOTH the frequency and E-field individualization; Ind-iTBS) compared to iTBS individualized for E-field targeting only (targeted-iTBS) and standard iTBS on fronto-parietal theta connectivity. Hypotheses: (1) Ind-iTBS will lead to greater changes in fronto-parietal theta connectivity compared to both targeted-iTBS and standard iTBS. (2) Ind-iTBS will also lead to a greater reduction in depressive symptoms (as defined by the mean reduction in Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale Scores (MADRS)) compared to both targeted-iTBS and standard iTBS.

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Key information

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder Depressive Disorder Depressive Disorder, Major Mental Disorders Mood Disorders

Age range

18 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

Diagnosis of major depressive episode (MDE, in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5), in the context of unipolar major depressive disorder disorder.
18-80 years of age.
Male or female.
At least one failed antidepressant medication trial at level 3 in the Antidepressant Treatment History Form: Short Form (ATHF-SF) classification.
Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Score of ≥ 20 (moderate-severe depression).
No increase or initiation of new antidepressant therapy in the four weeks prior to screening.
Demonstrated capacity to give informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

Inability to provide informed consent.
Medically unstable patients.
Concomitant neurological disorder or a history of a seizure disorder.
Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Any psychotic disorder or current active psychotic symptoms.
Patients who have intracranial implants, other medical device or condition deemed unsafe for TMS.
Contraindication to MRI scanning.

Treatment and study plan

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) - Fully Individualized iTBS

Device

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a safe and effective treatment for TRD that is increasingly being used in clinical practice across the world. It's mechanism of action is based on Farady Law of electromagnetic induction where the magnetic field produced by TMS coil induces electric field in the neurons. In the Ind-iTBS, the coil placement and current amplitude will be provided using individualized E-field modelling and coordinate-based cortical targeting. The stimulation frequency will also be individualized according to EEG-derived TGC.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) - targeted-iTBS

Device

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a safe and effective treatment for TRD that is increasingly being used in clinical practice across the world. It's mechanism of action is based on Farady Law of electromagnetic induction where the magnetic field produced by TMS coil induces electric field in the neurons. In the targeted-iTBS, the coil placement and current amplitude will be provided using individualized E-field modelling and coordinate-based cortical targeting.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) - Standard-iTBS

Device

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a safe and effective treatment for TRD that is increasingly being used in clinical practice across the world. It's mechanism of action is based on Farady Law of electromagnetic induction where the magnetic field produced by TMS coil induces electric field in the neurons. The standard iTBS will be delivered with the typical 5Hz/50Hz patterned frequencies used in the FDA approved treatment protocol and stimulation will be delivered according to the Beam F3 targeting.

Primary outcomes

Change from pre-treatment in fronto-parietal theta connectivity at post-treatment

Time frame: pre-treatment (within 24 hours prior to first treatment) and post-treatment (within 72 hours of final treatment)

Source-localized fronto-parietal theta connectivity will be calculated from resting EEG

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of California, San Diego

Other

Collaborators

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Registry information

Acronym: FREED

Important dates

Study start: 2023
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Aug 21, 2023
Registry last updated: Feb 13, 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.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

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