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Modulating Spinal Interoceptive Pathways to Evaluate Their Role and Therapeutic Potential in MDD Symptomatic Domains

NCT06795451 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: PHASE1/PHASE2 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 67

Last updated 2026-05-04

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Spinal interoceptive pathways (SIPs) convey bodily signals to an interoceptive system in the brain and their dysregulation is linked to major depressive disorder (MDD). Current treatments are partially effective and the role of SIPs in MDD is vastly unexplored. Preliminary data suggests that SIPs are feasible therapeutic targets in MDD. The central hypothesis is that non-invasive spinal cord stimulation will modulate SIPs to elucidate their role and therapeutic potential in MDD using an R61/33 phased innovation approach.

R61 phase specific aims (SA). The specific goal will be to evaluate spinal and brain-based SIPs target engagement markers of transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) in MDD with two SAs: SA1) To determine tsDCS SIPs modulation using laser-evoked potentials (LEPs) as electroencephalography (EEG)- based neural measures of target engagement. SA2) To evaluate optimal tsDCS dose based upon tolerability and SIPs target engagement markers. Anodal tsDCS will be evaluated as a tool to modulate SIPs in MDD. SIPs (Aδ and C fibers) can be evaluated via LEPs as neural measures (EEG) elicited in MDD-relevant brain regions within an interoceptive system. Prior data shows anodal tsDCS inhibits SIPs and LEPs N2 component will be assessed as tsDCS engagement markers. Adults with MDD (n=67) will participate in a double-blind, crossover, sham-controlled study to evaluate tsDCS at 0,2.5,3, and 3.5 mA. The working hypothesis is that tsDCS will induce a change in LEPs (SA1) in a dose-dependent and tolerable manner (SA2), supporting their use as SIPs engagement markers. Go/No-Go milestones: Compared to sham, the active tsDCS dose that induces a change in LEPs at a preestablished threshold will be evidence of SIPs engagement and "Go" criteria for the R33 phase.

Conditions

  • Depression - Major Depressive Disorder

Interventions

DEVICE

transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation

transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

    collaborator NIH

  • University of Cincinnati

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Francisco Romo-Nava, MD, PhD · Lindner Center of Hope/ University of Cincinnati

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Model
CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
60 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-02-25
Primary Completion
2026-07-31
Completion
2026-07-31
FDA Device
Yes

Countries

  • United States

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 NCT06795451 on ClinicalTrials.gov