Magnetic Stimulation Therapy for Treating Vascular Depression

Vascular Depression and Magnetic Stimulation Therapy

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 3

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT00044798

Acronym

rtms

Enrollment

132

Registered

2002-09-06

Start date

2001-09-30

Completion date

2008-08-31

Last updated

2013-09-27

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Depression, Depressive Disorder

Keywords

Aged

Brief summary

This 12-week study will evaluate the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the brain, followed by citalopram (Celexa®), for treatment of depression associated with small vascular lesions in the brain (vascular depression).

Detailed description

Vascular depression is a condition that typically affects the elderly and is associated with small vascular lesions. It is more resistant to treatment and has a poorer outcome than nonvascular depression. By altering excitability in the cortical area of the brain, rTMS may be an effective treatment neuropsychiatric conditions, particularly depression. Participants in this study will be randomly assigned to 15 treatments of either rTMS or sham rTMS for 3 weeks. Following treatment, participants will receive citalopram for 9 weeks. Response rates to treatment; relapse rates; the size, number, and location of the vascular lesions; and the amount of regional brain atrophy will be measured. Improvements in activities of daily living, quality of life, and cognitive function will also be also measured.

Interventions

PROCEDURERepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)

Participants will receive 15 treatments of rTMS over 3 weeks.

DRUGCitalopram

After completing treatment with rTMS or sham rTMS, participants will take citalopram for 9 weeks.

PROCEDURESham rTMS

Participants will receive 15 treatments of sham rTMS over 3 weeks.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

51 Years to 89 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* DSM-IV diagnosis of unipolar major or minor depressive disorder * Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score of at least 18 * Depression that is associated with cerebrovascular disease * Failed at least 1 treatment for vascular depression

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Response rates to treatment; relapse rates; the size, number, and location of the vascular lesions; and the amount of regional brain atrophy	Measured at Week 12

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Improvements in activities of daily living, quality of life, and cognitive function	Measured at Week 12

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026