Parcel-guided rTMS for Major Depressive Disorder

Standard rTMS treatment often uses the "Beam-F3" targeting approach to locate a brain region known as the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (lDLPFC). However, Beam-F3 does not take into account interindividual variation in brain anatomy. Researchers as Columbia University have found a more accurate and personalized approach that uses MRI-based brain surface parcellation to locate the specific subregion of the lDLPFC most ideal for rTMS treatment. Our study is comparing standard rTMS (Beam-F3) to parcel-guided rTMS for patients with treatment resistant depression.

Inclusion criteria

• DSM-5 diagnosis of major depressive disorder confirmed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI30) Axis 1 and mood modules
• Treatment-resistant MDD during the current major depressive episode documented in the MGH Antidepressant Treatment History Questionnaire (ATRQ31), which will be defined as being non-responders (less than 50% of symptom improvement) to two or more depression treatment trials of adequate dose and duration as defined by the MGH ATRQ.
• At least moderate depression severity, operationalized as Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score ≥ 20

Exclusion criteria

• Ever met criteria for a psychotic disorder (Sz, SzAff, Bipolar disorder)
• Anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa within the last year
• Unstable medical condition by history, physical exam or laboratory results
• Currently pregnant or breastfeeding women; fecund women not using adequate contraceptive methods or with plan to become pregnant
• Contraindications to MRI (based on metal screening form)
• Meets criteria for claustrophobia
• Recent drug or alcohol use disorder with DSM-5 specifier of moderate or severe within 6 months, or mild within 2 months; or lifetime history of IV drug use A- ctively suicidal, as defined by expressive ideation with a plan or with suicidal ideation that requires immediate medical or treatment intervention.
• Neurological or neuromuscular disorder
• Requires medications for a general medical condition that contraindicate the TMS treatment
• Prior non-response to ECT, vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) or deep brain stimulation (DBS)
• History of ketamine treatment within 6 months
• History of monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past month
• Lacks capacity to consent
• Taking medications that increase the risk of seizures.
• For patients on permitted concomitant psychotropic agents (antidepressants, anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines, hypnotics, opiates, triiodothyronine (T3), modafinil, psychostimulants, buspirone, melatonin, omega-3 fatty acids, folate, l-methylfolate, s-adenosyl methionine, lithium) dosing must be stable for at least four weeks prior to study entry and patients must agree to continue at the same dose during the study