Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression: OL Cohort

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an established technology as therapy for treatment-resistant depression. The approved method for treatment is 10Hz stimulation for 40 minutes over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L-DLPFC) for a 6 week treatment course. This methodology has been successful for many people with treatment-resistant depression. One of the limitations of this approach is the long duration of the treatment course (approximately a 6 weeks per treatment course). Recently, researchers have aggressively pursued modifying the treatment parameters to reduce treatment course time with some preliminary success. This study intends to further modify the parameters to create a more rapid form of the treatment. This study will also look at the change in neuroimaging biomarkers associated with this treatment.

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female, 22 to 80 years of age.
• Able to provide informed consent.
• Diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and currently experiencing a Major Depressive Episode (MDE).
• Participants may currently be on a stable and adequate dose of an antidepressant therapy but the medication must remain stable throughout study enrollment.
• Participants may also have a history of intolerance to antidepressant medications. These patients with the intolerance history will not be required to be currently taking an antidepressant medication.
• Meet the threshold on the total HAMD17 score of >/=20 at both screening and baseline visits (Day -5/-14 and Day 0).
• Meet the threshold on the total MADRS score of >/=20 at both screening and baseline visits (Day -5/-14 and Day 0).
• Meet the threshold on the total BDI-II score of >/=20 at both screening and baseline visits (Day -5/-14 and Day 0).
• In good general health, as ascertained by medical history.
• If female, a status of non-childbearing potential or use of an acceptable form of birth control.
• Concurrent hypnotic therapy (e.g., with zolpidem, zaleplon, melatonin, or trazodone) will be allowed if the therapy has been stable for at least 4 weeks prior to screening and if it is expected to remain stable.
• History of ECT intolerance is permitted.

Exclusion criteria

• Female of childbearing potential who is not willing to use one of the specified forms of birth control during the study.
• Female that is pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Total HAMD score of < 20 at the screen or baseline visits.
• Total MADRS score of < 20 at the screen or baseline visits.
• Total BDI-II score of < 20 at the screen or baseline visits.
• Current diagnosis of a Substance Use Disorder (Abuse or Dependence, as defined by DSM-IV-TR), with the exception of nicotine dependence.
• Current diagnosis of Axis I disorders other than Dysthymic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, or Specific Phobia (unless one of these is comorbid and clinically unstable, and/or the focus of the participant's treatment for the past six months or more).
• History of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders, or any history of psychotic symptoms in the current or previous depressive episodes.
• Any Axis I or Axis II Disorder, which at screening is clinically predominant to their MDD or has been predominant to their MDD at any time within six months prior to screening.
• Has a clinically significant abnormality on the screening examination that might affect safety, study participation, or confound interpretation of study results.
• Participation in any clinical trial with an investigational drug or device within the past month or concurrent to study participation.
• Any current or past history of any physical condition which in the investigator's opinion might put the subject at risk or interfere with study results interpretation.
• Positive screening on the urine test for drugs of abuse at screening: cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, opiates.
• Current (or chronic) use of opiates.
• History of epilepsy.
• History of shrapnel or metal in the head or skull.
• History of cardiovascular disease or cardiac event.
• History of OCD.
• History of autism spectrum disorder.
• History of rTMS exposure