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NESBID: Neuro-Stimulation of the Brain in Depression

NCT04159012 · Status: WITHDRAWN · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Last updated 2026-01-21

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

In Canada, approximately 20% of patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) have treatment-resistance and fail to respond to trials of pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy. Although the treatment of choice has historically consisted of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), this is not always feasible or practical, and carries a risk of side-effects that may be unacceptable to certain patients.

In this pragmatic, multi-site, placebo-controlled and double-blinded clinical trial, participants with ultra treatment-resistant MDD will be randomized to receive either active or sham transcranial direct current stimulation in addition to their usual treatment. Ultra treatment-resistant depression will be operationally defined as MDD that has failed to respond to at least five previous trials of antidepressants at sufficient doses, or ECT, or ketamine. Patients will receive a total of 30 active or sham treatment sessions (5 per week), for 30 minutes per session. In both groups, the anode will be placed over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (position F3), and the cathode over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (position F4). Patients in the sham group will receive electrical stimulation at 2 mA for less than 30 seconds, whereas patients in the active group will receive that level of stimulation for the entire duration of treatment.

The study's primary outcome is the change in score on a clinician-graded depression inventory (the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scales). Secondary outcomes include change in scores on a self-administered depression rating scale and measurement of function scale. Information on language ability will also be collected, as will data on side-effects of treatment. Scores will be collected before the trial start, after every 10 sessions, and one month after trial completion.

Conditions

  • Depressive Disorder, Major
  • Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant
  • Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy

Interventions

DEVICE

Transcranial direct current stimulation

A Sooma transcranial direct current stimulator, using carbon electrodes, a reusable cap (to promote reproducible electrode placement), and disposable sponges that will be soaked in normal saline. The anode will be positioned over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (position F3 on the 10-20 the International EEG system), and the cathode will be positioned over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (position F4).

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Alberta Health services

    collaborator OTHER

  • University of Alberta

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Serdar M Dursun, MD, PhD · University of Alberta

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2020-09-01
Primary Completion
2025-11-15
Completion
2025-11-15

Countries

  • Canada

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT04159012 on ClinicalTrials.gov