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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03745768

iTBS Study for Depression (Randomized)

Executive function deficits are common in late life depression (LLD) and are associated with resistance to antidepressants, poor quality of life, considerable disability and increased suicidal risk. This study uses a novel type of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation called intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS). iTBS delivers high frequency (50Hz) magnetic pulses in "bursts" of 3 stimuli. It is posited that this intervention induces plasticity in the human cortex. Theoretical and empirical evidence from research studies informs that iTBS can improve depression and executive deficits, however, this has not been examined in older adults.

This project examines iTBS's ability to improve depression and executive impairment in LLD. It also tests the effects of iTBS on brain connectivity within the Cognitive Control Network (CCN). This study will enhance understanding of LLD, providing critical pilot data to develop future randomized controlled clinical trials.

Both active and sham interventions are administered sequentially to the left and right dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex. The total stimulation time is about 7 minutes. These interventions are administered for 6 weeks (Monday-Friday). 20 subjects will be randomized. Changes in mood from baseline to the end of study are measured with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Executive function at baseline and end of study are evaluated with the National Institutes of Health Toolbox executive domain battery. Safety assessments include: the 21 item Scale for suicidal ideation SSI. The frequency, intensity and burden of side effects rating (FIBSER) and the Altman Self Rating Mania scale (ASRM). Ancillary depression measures include the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms (QIDS) and the Clinical Global Impression of Improvement scale.

Subjects undergo functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) before and after the study interventions to test the effects of iTBS on the brain's functional connectivity.

This research will provide meaningful information about the effects of iTBS on mood and executive function in older adults as well as information regarding its effects on brain function. Results of this pilot study will inform a grant submission and allow investigators to calculate power for a definitive randomized controlled clinical trial to test the efficacy of iTBS versus placebo.

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Key information

Conditions

Executive Dysfunction Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Depression

Age range

60 year–85 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine - Healthy Mind Lab

St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age ≥ 60 - 85 years old
  • Diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD), single or recurrent, with a current Major depression episode as diagnosed by the Mini-international Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI 6.0)
  • Montgomery Asberg Depression Scale score greater than or equal to 15 at baseline.
  • Evidence of decreased executive function as evidenced by either of the following conditions: a) scoring below the mean normative scaled score on the average of the NIH Toolbox executive function measures: Flanker inhibitory control and attention test and the Dimensional sort card test, approximate score 70 - 100 as per PI discretion. b) Discrepancy of at least 10 points between the average of the picture vocabulary score and the reading recognition test score and the average of the Flanker inhibitory control and dimensional card sort test score. c) Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FRSBE) T scores above 60 (indicative of borderline to clinically significant impairment) and at least 10 points (1 Standard Deviation) above subject's premorbid (pre-depression) scores.

Exclusion criteria

  • Inability to complete NIH tool box cognitive testing
  • Inability to provide informed consent
  • <22 score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment MoCA indicative of moderate to severe cognitive impairment per PI discretion
  • Lifetime diagnosis of bipolar I or II disorder or psychotic disorder as per the MINI interview
  • current psychotic symptoms
  • alcohol or other substance use disorder per DSM V criteria in the past 6 months
  • High risk for suicide (active suicidal ideation/intent or plan and patient is unsafe to be in the outpatient setting), an urgent psychiatric referral will be made in those cases
  • Have a diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (current or within the last year), anxiety disorder (generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder), assessed by a study investigator to be primary
  • Previous history of TMS
  • history of failure to an adequate course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) such as equal or more than 7-9 electroconvulsive therapy treatments, per PI discretion
  • Major unstable medical illness including advanced/uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, renal disease or advanced cancer, per PI discretion
  • Psychotropic use other than antidepressants (e.g., Benzodiazepines [more than 2mg of lorazepam equivalent daily], anticonvulsants [except low dose of Neurontin approximately 600mg/day] or cognitive enhancers such as N-Methyl D - Aspartate (NDMA) receptor antagonists [Memantine HCL], psychostimulants [such as methylphenidate or modafinil]) per PI discretion
  • Recent changes or initiation of antidepressant therapy approximately in the last 4 weeks prior to intervention delivery, per PI discretion
  • if participating in psychotherapy, must have been in stable treatment for at least 3 months prior to entry into the study, with no anticipation of change in the frequency of therapeutic sessions, or the therapeutic focus over the duration of the study
  • contraindications for TMS including the presence of metallic objects within 30 cm of the TMS coil, intracranial implants (e.g., aneurysm clips, shunts, stimulators, cochlear implants, or electrodes) or any other metal object within or near the head, excluding the mouth, that cannot be safely removed; presence of intracardiac lines, defibrillators or a cardiac pacemaker and unable to assess safety; presence of implanted electronic devices that control physiologic functions and unable to assess safety
  • have a personal history of a primary seizure disorder or a seizure associated with an intracranial lesion
  • History of severe head trauma or neurological disorders that substantially increase seizure risk, per PI discretion
  • non-correctable clinically significant sensory impairment (i.e., cannot hear well enough to cooperate with interview).

Treatment and study plan

Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation

Device

Intermittent theta burst stimulation delivered to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on the left and right sides of the brain for 6 weeks.

Sham stimulation

Device

Sham stimulation delivered to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on the left and right sides of the brain for 6 weeks.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Scores From Baseline to the End of the Intervention

    Time frame: 6 weeks

    We will assess the efficacy of iTBS in improving mood by determining if older adults randomized to iTBS will show significant decreases in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale consistent with improvement of depressive symptoms. The total score for the scale will be reported. The total scores range is 0 - 60 with 0 = minimum score and 60 the maximum score. A low score is better as it denotes less depressive symptoms.

  2. Change in the NIH Toolbox Executive Domain Measure Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test

    Time frame: 6 weeks

    Improvement in executive function in participants will be assessed by determining if subjects randomized to iTBS show significant increases in their NIH Toolbox Flanker Inhibitory control and attention test from baseline to the end of 6 weeks, compared to those randomized to sham.

    NIH Tool box Flanker inhibitory control and attention test is a validated instrument measuring attention and inhibitory control.

    The age corrected standard score is used, for which the normative mean is 100 and the standard deviation is 15. This score compares the score of the test taker to those in the NIH tool box nationally representative sample at the same age, where a score of 100 indicates performance that was at the national average for the test-taking participant's age. A score of 115 or 85 for example would indicate that the participant's performance is 1SD above or below the national average respectively, when compared with like-aged participants. Higher scores indicate higher performance.

  3. Change in the NIH Tool Box Executive Measure Dimensional Change Card Sort Test

    Time frame: 6 weeks

    Improvement in executive function in participants will be assessed by determining if subjects randomized to iTBS show significant increases in their NIH Toolbox Dimensional change card sort test from baseline to the end of 6 weeks, compared to those randomized to sham.

    NIH Tool box Dimensional change card sort test is a validated instrument measuring cognitive flexibility.

    The age corrected standard score is used, for which the normative mean is 100 and the standard deviation is 15. This score compares the score of the test taker to those in the NIH tool box nationally representative sample at the same age, where a score of 100 indicates performance that was at the national average for the test-taking participant's age. A score of 115 or 85 for example would indicate that the participant's performance is 1SD above or below the national average respectively, when compared with like-aged participants. Higher scores indicate higher performance.

  4. Change in the NIH Tool Box List Sorting Working Memory Measure

    Time frame: 6 weeks

    Improvement in executive function in participants will be assessed by determining if subjects randomized to iTBS show significant increases in their NIH Toolbox list sorting working memory test from baseline to the end of 6 weeks, compared to those randomized to sham.

    NIH Tool box list sorting working memory test is a validated instrument measuring working memory.

    The age corrected standard score is used, for which the normative mean is 100 and the standard deviation is 15. This score compares the score of the test taker to those in the NIH tool box nationally representative sample at the same age, where a score of 100 indicates performance that was at the national average for the test-taking participant's age. A score of 115 or 85 for example would indicate that the participant's performance is 1SD above or below the national average respectively, when compared with like-aged participants. Higher scores indicate higher performance.

  5. Connectivity Change Within the CNN, Fronto-parietal Network

    Time frame: 6 weeks

    We will test the effects of iTBS on functional connectivity within the CNN ( fronto-parietal network) in depressed older adults obtained using resting state fMRI measuring BOLD signal in the brain.

    Depressed older adults randomized to iTBS versus sham will have a significant increase in functional connectivity within the fronto-parietal network from baseline to week 6.

  6. Connectivity Change Within the CNN, Cingulo Opercular Network

    Time frame: 6 weeks

    We will test the effects of iTBS on functional connectivity within the CNN cingulo opercular network in depressed older adults obtained using resting state fMRI measuring bold signal in the brain.

    Depressed older adults randomized to iTBS versus sham will have a significant increase in functional connectivity within the cingulo-opercular network from baseline to week 6.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Washington University School of Medicine

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation to Relieve Depression and Concurrent Executive Function Impairment in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
Nov 19, 2018
Registry last updated
Jul 6, 2022

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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