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Treatment of Acute Mood Depressive Episode in Borderline Personality Disorder With rTMS

Modulating Probabilities: Prediction, Assessment, and Treatment of Acute Mood Depressive Episode in Borderline Personality Disorder With rTMS

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04870255
Enrollment
45
Registered
2021-05-03
Start date
2021-07-20
Completion date
2026-12-01
Last updated
2026-08-11

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

Conditions

Borderline Personality Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Major

Keywords

Depression, Neuromodulation, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Borderline Personality Disorder

Brief summary

This study evaluates the antidepressant effects of an accelerated schedule of theta-burst stimulation, termed accelerated intermittent theta-burst stimulation (aiTBS), in individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) or trait and comorbid mood depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar II disorder in a current mood depressive episode (MDE).

Detailed description

This project aims to measure and modulate a mood depressive episode (MDE) in individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) trait and comorbid mood depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar II disorder in a current mood depressive episode (MDE). This study will test the antidepressant effect of aiTBS stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L-DLPFC), and aiTBS stimulation over the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC) compared with sham.

Interventions

DEVICELeft Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (L-DLPFC)

Participants who are randomly assigned to this group will receive active iTBS (intermittent theta burst stimulation) to the left DLPFC. Stimulation intensity will be standardized at 90% of resting motor threshold (adjusted for cortical depth). Stimulation will be delivered using the Magventure Magpro X100 TMS system.

DEVICEDorsomedial Prefrontal Cortex (DMPFC)

Participants who are randomly assigned to this group will receive active iTBS (intermittent theta burst stimulation) to the DMPFC. Stimulation intensity will be standardized at 100% of resting motor threshold (adjusted for cortical depth). Stimulation will be delivered using the Magventure Magpro X100 TMS system.

DEVICESham Stimulation

Participants who are randomly assigned to this group will receive sham stimulation to the left DLPFC. Sham stimulation will be delivered using the Magventure Magpro X100 TMS system.

Sponsors

Stanford University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Intervention model description

Patients will be randomized to receive: active L-DLPFC stimulation, active DMPFC stimulation, or sham stimulation. Group size ratio will be 1:1:1.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Male or Female, between the ages of 18 and 80 at the time of screening. * Able to read, understand, and provide written, dated informed consent prior to screening. Proficiency in English sufficient to complete questionnaires / follow instructions during fMRI assessments and aiTBS interventions. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures, including availability for the duration of the study, and to communicate with study personnel about adverse events and other clinically important information. * Diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or Bipolar II, or unspecified depressive disorder AND Borderline Personality Disorder or trait, with a current Mood Depressive Episode (MDE), according to the criteria defined in the Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5). * MADRS score of ≥20 at screening (Visit 1). * TMS naive. * Access to ongoing psychiatric care before and after completion of the study. * Access to clinical rTMS after study completion. * In good general health, as evidenced by medical history. * For females of reproductive potential: use of highly effective contraception for at least 1 month prior to screening and agreement to use such a method during study participation. * Agreement to adhere to Lifestyle Considerations (see section 5.3) throughout study duration.

Exclusion criteria

* Pregnancy * The presence or diagnosis of prominent anxiety disorder, personality disorder, or dysthymia * Current severe insomnia (must sleep a minimum of 5 hours each night before stimulation) * Current mania or psychosis * Bipolar I Disorder and primary psychotic disorders. * Autism Spectrum disorder or Intellectual Disability * A diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) * Current moderate or severe substance use disorder or demonstrating signs of acute substance withdrawal. * Urine screening test positive for illicit substances. * Any history of ECT (greater than 8 sessions) without meeting responder criteria * Recent (during the current depressive episode) or concurrent use of a rapid acting antidepressant agent (i.e., ketamine or a course of ECT). * History of significant neurologic disease, including dementia, Parkinson's or Huntington's disease, brain tumor, unexpected seizure/epilepsy disorder, subdural hematoma, multiple sclerosis, or history of significant head trauma. * Untreated or insufficiently treated endocrine disorder. * Contraindications to receiving rTMS (e.g., metal in head, history of seizure, known brain lesion) * Contraindications to MRI (ferromagnetic metal in their body). * Any current or past history of any physical condition which in the investigator's opinion might put the subject at risk or interfere with study results interpretation. * Depth-adjusted aiTBS treatment dose \> 65% maximum stimulator output (MSO) * Treatment with another investigational drug or other intervention within the study period. * Any other condition deemed by the PI to interfere with the study or increase risk to the participant.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in the clinician rated Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-C) in active L-DLPFC vs. sham aiTBS.At baseline (pre-intervention), during the intervention and immediately after the intervention.A ten item diagnostic questionnaire used to measure the severity of depressive episodes in patients with mood disorders.The MADRS-C has an overall score range from 0-60, with higher scores corresponding to higher levels of depression.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in the clinician rated Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-C) in active DMPFC vs. sham aiTBS.At baseline (pre-intervention), during the intervention and immediately after the intervention.A ten item diagnostic questionnaire used to measure the severity of depressive episodes in patients with mood disorders.The MADRS-C has an overall score range from 0-60, with higher scores corresponding to higher levels of depression.
Feasibility of aiTBS in individuals with BPD and comorbid MDD or BAD II in a current MDE as defined by retention ratesAt baseline (pre-intervention), during the intervention and immediately after the intervention.Retention rates will be determined as research follow-up rate ≥80%
Feasibility of aiTBS in individuals with BPD and comorbid MDD or BAD II in a current MDE as defined by recruitment rateAt baseline (pre-intervention), during the intervention and immediately after the intervention.Recruitment rate will be determined by actual recruitment/recruitment milestones
Safety of aiTBS in individuals with BPD and comorbid MDD or BAD II in a current MDE as defined by rate of suicidal behaviorsAt baseline (pre-intervention), during the intervention and immediately after the intervention.Rate of suicidal behaviors will be determined by number of participants that committed a SB/total number of participants

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTBora Kim, MD, MAS
borakim2@stanford.edu650-800-6929
CONTACTNick Bassano, MSW
nbassano@stanford.edu650-800-6929
STUDY_DIRECTORDavid Spiegel, MD

Stanford University

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Aug 12, 2026