Comparing brain stimulation on left vs right side for depression
Part of Mental health clinical trials.
This study tests whether delivering a type of brain stimulation to the left side of the head is as effective as delivering it to the right side for treating major depression. The treatment is called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain areas involved in mood.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- You are between 18 and 65 years old.
- You have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder (also called clinical depression) and have not improved with at least one antidepressant medication or could not tolerate two different antidepressants.
- You currently have moderate to severe depression symptoms (score of 18 or higher on a standard depression scale).
- You have not changed or started any psychiatric medication in the 4 weeks before the study begins.
- You are able to attend scheduled treatment sessions and can safely undergo TMS and MRI scans (no metal in your head, no history of seizures, etc.).
- You do not have active suicidal thoughts, major unstable medical illness, or certain other mental health conditions like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
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