Pilot Accelerated Theta Burst in Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression

Stanford University

Status

Completed

Conditions

Treatment Resistant Depression

Treatments

Device: Accelerated intermittent theta-burst treatment

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT03953417

49486

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study evaluates an accelerated schedule of theta-burst stimulation using a transcranial magnetic stimulation device for treatment-resistant bipolar depression. In this open-label study, all participants will receive accelerated theta-burst stimulation.

Full description

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). This methodology has been very successful in real-world situations. The limitations of this approach include the duration of the treatment (approximately 40 minutes per treatment session over 4-6 weeks). Recently, researchers have aggressively pursued modifying the treatment parameters to reduce treatment times with some preliminary success. In a recent study, the investigators applied this accelerated paradigm in individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), which showed a significant antidepressant effect (90% remission rate). Additionally, 3 participants from this study carried a bipolar TRD diagnosis and responded at minimum, equally as well, with no adverse events experienced or manic/hypomanic conversion observed during the treatment series. This study intends to further modify the parameters to create a more rapid form of this treatment for bipolar TRD, and look at the change in clinical measures and neuroimaging biomarkers.

Enrollment

7 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 80 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Male or female, 18 to 80 years of age.
Able to provide informed consent.
Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and currently experiencing a Major Depressive Episode (MDE).
Meet the threshold on the total MADRS score of >/=20 at baseline.
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.
History of rTMS failure with FDA approved rTMS parameters 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.
Female with a positive pregnancy test at participation.
Total MADRS score of < 20 at study entry.
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 bipolar depression or has been predominant to their bipolar depression at any time within six months prior to screening.
Considered at significant risk for suicide during the course of the study.
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.
History of positive screening 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.
Current psychosis
Any change in medication of which the study PI is not aware of.