Comparing Outcomes of Theta Burst Stimulation in Depression Using Advanced PET Imaging
Condition(s) studied
Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)
repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a Health Canada approved treatment for major depression. Typical treatments involve 30 to 45 minutes daily sessions delivered over 4 to 6 weeks. Recent technical advances allowed the development of theta burst stimulation (TBS), a novel rTMS paradigm that reduces daily sessions to 3 to 4 minutes while maintaining the same clinical efficacy. This study will specifically be administering intermittent TBS (iTBS), which is a novel refinement of conventional rTMS and consists of bursts of 3 stimulations at 50 Hz at theta frequency (5 Hz).
Study summary
The proposed project will investigate the neurobiological mechanisms of accelerated intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) in major depressive disorder (MDD) using an advanced multimodal imaging approach. This single-arm, within-subject study will deliver one week of accelerated iTBS and use pre-/post-treatment PET/MRI to quantify changes in synaptic density, functional connectivity, and microstructural integrity. We will combine \[¹⁸F\]SynVesT-1 PET with functional, neurochemical and anatomical MRI, such as resting-state fMRI, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI), to capture treatment-related plasticity. This integrated design will link molecular and network-level mechanisms to clinical improvement, providing an unprecedented mechanistic map of how accelerated iTBS restores brain function in depression.
Eligibility
Primary outcome measure(s)
- Change in Synaptic Density Following iTBS Measured by [¹⁸F]SynVesT-1 PET — Administered at baseline (prior to first iTBS treatment), and after the iTBS treatment course (i.e. one week later).
We will quantify changes in synaptic density (expressed as non-displaceable binding potential (BPND)) within (a) the sgACC (primary ROI) and (b) the stimulated DLPFC (secondary ROI), with exploratory analyses in frontal, parietal and cerebellar regions identified in the seed dataset.
Trial sites (1)
| Facility | City | Region | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research | Ottawa | Ontario |
More The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre trials in Canada
Other trials for the same condition
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
View NCT07620288 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ ← All trials in Canada