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Trial of Transcranial Photobiomodulation for Depression With PET and EEG Outcomes

NCT06934135 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 50

Last updated 2026-04-15

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and many patients do not achieve adequate benefit from current treatments. Transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that delivers near-infrared (808 nm) light through the scalp to frontal brain regions involved in mood regulation. Preclinical and early clinical studies suggest that tPBM may improve symptoms of depression and enhance cortical function.

This randomized, sham-controlled, parallel-group trial evaluates the efficacy, safety, and neural effects of tPBM in adults with MDD. Participants are assigned to one of four groups: high-dose continuous wave (CW), low-dose continuous wave (CW\_LOW), pulsed wave (PW), or sham treatment. Interventions are delivered 3 times a week for 6 weeks (total of 18 sessions) to bilateral frontal scalp sites (AF3 and AF4).

The primary outcome is change in depressive symptoms measured by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) from baseline to week 18. Secondary outcomes include changes in self-reported depression scales (QIDS, SDQ), regional brain glucose metabolism measured by FDG-PET, and resting-state EEG markers. Safety and tolerability are assessed throughout the trial, including adverse events, scalp/site reactions, and suicidality screening.

This study will provide proof-of-concept evidence for the clinical efficacy and mechanistic effects of tPBM in major depression and will inform the design of larger, multicenter clinical trials.

Conditions

  • Depression
  • Depression, Anxiety
  • Depressive Disorder
  • Depressive Disorder, Major

Interventions

DEVICE

Bilateral Near-Infrared Transcranial Photobiomodulation (tPBM)

The system delivers 808 nm near-infrared light via fiber optics through a headset forming \~12 cm² beams at EEG sites AF3/AF4 (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex). Participants are randomized to: (1) Continuous Wave (CW, high dose) \~350 mW/cm² (\~8.4 W total); (2) Continuous Wave Low Dose (CW\_LOW) \~50 mW/cm² (\~1.2 W); (3) Pulsed Wave (PW) peak \~1050 mW/cm², 42 Hz, 33% duty cycle (avg \~350 mW/cm²); or (4) Sham device with identical cues but no light. Sessions last 429 s, 3×/week for 6 weeks (18 total). Sham matches duration/procedures. Outcomes include depressive symptoms (HAMD-17, QIDS, SDQ), FDG-PET, and EEG.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Peruvian Clinical Research

    collaborator OTHER

  • NeuroThera DE

    lead INDUSTRY

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

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

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2022-08-24
Primary Completion
2025-08-01
Completion
2025-08-01
FDA Device
Yes

Countries

  • Peru

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Entities

Diseases

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 NCT06934135 on ClinicalTrials.gov