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NCT03421808 · ClinicalTrials.gov registry record · Phase 2

EEG Synchronized TMS Trial for Depression

A Phase 2 study, sponsored by Medical University of South Carolina.

Completed
Registry status
Phase 2
Development phase
34
Enrollment target

NCT03421808: Completed Phase 2 study, sponsored by Medical University of South Carolina.

NCT03421808 is a Phase 2 study that has completed, run by Medical University of South Carolina. The registered enrollment target is 34 participants, below the 133-participant average among 30,622 other Phase 2 trials with a reported enrollment target (74% lower). According to ClinicalTrials.gov, the official US trial registry.

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The verdict

NCT03421808, a Phase 2 study, has completed, sponsored by Medical University of South Carolina.

COMPLETED
Registry status
Phase 2
Development phase
34 participants
Enrollment target

Study Summary

Daily prefrontal TMS for depression, as developed by the PI, involves delivering TMS pulses to the prefrontal cortex and not assessing what the actual EEG phase is of the person's brain. In cardiology, in order to stimulate the heart effectively, one has to know the rhythm and phase of the heartbeat in order to perform cardioversion. The investigators wonder if it is important to time the brain stimulation with the phase of the person's brain. The brain has definite rhythms, and cycles through being excited or resting. A common EEG rhythm is alpha frequency. Theoretically, the effect of the TMS pulse might be diminished if it was delivered when the brain was temporarily cycling into an off state. In the r21 part of this grant, the investigators designed and constructed a combined TMS/EEG/fMRI system. With that equipment the investigators found that TMS pulses have different effects deeper in the brain as a function of the EEG alpha phase. Pulses delivered during a rising phase produce larger blood flow changes deeper in the brain than do pulses delivered during a falling phase. In the R33 phase of the grant the investigators now take that idea into a small clinical trial in depression to test if synchronized pulses have a larger clinical effect than do non-synchronized pulses.

Primary Outcome

Depression Remission, as defined by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, 24 item, score less than 10. Range is 0 to 52. Higher scores mean more severe depression.

Interventions

  • DEVICE Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Trial Details

FieldValue
Enrollment Target 34 participants
Start Date 2018-11-30
Est. Completion 2024-01-15
Phase Phase 2

What the finished NCT03421808 record still lists

NCT03421808 is an interventional study that assigns participants to a tested intervention. The registry caps enrollment at 34 participants, a relatively small participant target, below the 133-participant average among 30,622 other Phase 2 trials with a reported enrollment target (74% lower).

The record links to 0 conditions, and to 1 intervention - of which Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is the first listed.

NCT03421808 does not publish any study locations in the registry export this page uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is clinical trial NCT03421808 about?

NCT03421808 is a clinical study titled "EEG Synchronized TMS Trial for Depression". Daily prefrontal TMS for depression, as developed by the PI, involves delivering TMS pulses to the prefrontal cortex and not assessing what the actual EEG phase is of the person's brain. In cardiology, in order to stimulate the heart effectively, one has to know the rhythm and phase of the heartbeat...

What is the current status of trial NCT03421808?

This trial is currently completed. It is a Phase 2 study. The enrollment target is 34 participants. The study started on 2018-11-30. Estimated completion is 2024-01-15.

What interventions are being tested in trial NCT03421808?

The interventions under investigation include: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) (DEVICE).

Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT03421808?

This trial is sponsored by Medical University of South Carolina, which has 755 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How this trial's enrollment target compares

Where NCT03421808's enrollment target sits among peer trials

34 1539th of 2000 higher than 448 of 2,000 other Phase 2 trials

participants (enrollment target), bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more other Phase 2 trials. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source ClinicalTrials.gov registry export · 2026-08-08

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Source: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03421808, the US trial registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine. NCT03421808 (small enrollment · none site footprint · completed) retrieved and formatted by PlainTrial, see methodology.