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Individualized Non-invasive Brain Stimulation for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

Closed-Loop Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (CL-tACS) for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Randomized Pilot Study

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06874374
Acronym
CL-tACS RCT
Enrollment
40
Registered
2025-03-13
Start date
2025-04-11
Completion date
2026-05-22
Last updated
2026-08-18

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

Conditions

Depression - Major Depressive Disorder, Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation

Keywords

tACS, Depression, Major Depressive Disorder, Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation

Brief summary

The purpose of this research study is to study a closed-loop transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) device to evaluate feasibility of the product in a clinical trial and collect preliminary data on potential effects on symptoms of depression in people with major depressive disorder.

Detailed description

The purpose of this study is to investigate device feasibility and performance of the XCSITE 100 Pro V2 device and assess preliminary efficacy of closed-loop transcranial alternating current stimulation (CL-tACS) for reducing symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) in a double-blind, sham-controlled, parallel group, single-site clinical trial. A total of 40 participants will be randomized to receive active or sham CL-tACS via carbon-silicone electrodes for up to 40 minutes over 5 consecutive days. Device feasibility and performance data will be collected from every stimulation session. Clinical assessments of depression and related symptoms will be performed at Baseline (Day 1), End Of Treatment (EOT; Day 5), and Follow-Up (FUP, 2-weeks post-treatment, Day 19). High-density electroencephalography (HD-EEG) will be performed at Baseline, EOT and FUP. An optional MRI will be performed up to 30 days before, or on Baseline, to provide anatomical data for EEG brain connectivity analysis.

Interventions

Individual alpha tACS

DEVICESham Comparator

Sham stimulation

Sponsors

Pulvinar Neuro, LLC
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
CollaboratorNIH
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
CollaboratorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
DEVICE_FEASIBILITY
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Any gender, aged 18 - 70 * Provision of signed and dated informed consent form * Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study * DSM-5 diagnosis of unipolar, non-psychotic MDD as evidenced by the DIAMOND * HDRS-17 score ≥14 * Low suicide risk (defined for this study as no active suicidal ideation in the past month and no suicide attempts, preparatory actions, or significant non-suicidal self-harm in the previous 2 years). Risk will be assessed utilizing the C-SSRS screen and triage version with further exploration of positive responses. * Capacity to understand all relevant risks and potential benefits of the study (informed consent) * For people of childbearing potential: use of highly effective contraception as determined by the Investigator for at least 1 month prior to screening and agreement to use such a method during study participation

Exclusion criteria

* DSM-5 diagnosis of severe alcohol use disorder (AUD) within the last 12 months, as evidenced by the DIAMOND * DSM-5 diagnosis of moderate to severe substance use disorder (excluding tobacco) within the last 12 months, as evidenced by the DIAMOND * Lifetime history of bipolar disorder, as evidenced by DIAMOND * Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, as evidenced by DIAMOND * History of autism spectrum disorder * Initiated any new psychotropic medication in the 6 weeks prior to screening or had a dose change in the preceding 6 weeks * Initiated a new course of psychotherapy in the 6 weeks preceding screening * Received any neurostimulation treatment in the 6 weeks preceding screening * History of seizures (excluding febrile seizures in childhood or Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) induced seizures) * Neurological disorders that would increase risk of participation or present a significant confounder in the opinion of the investigator (for example, dementia, history of stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, history of traumatic brain injury with prolonged loss of consciousness, ruptured cerebral aneurysm, previous CNS radiation) * Previously failed to respond to ECT or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) * Prior brain surgery and/or brain implants * Implanted medical device that uses electricity * Current pregnancy or lactation * Currently enrolled in another clinical trial for depression * For the optional MRI session only: Contraindication to MRI according to MRI Screening Form * Unstable medical disorder or anything that would place the participant at increased risk or preclude the participant's full compliance with or completion of the study, in the opinion of the Investigator

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Correct Assignment by Device of Study Arm5 daysSuccessful assignment by device software to correct study arm for each participant for each session, Day 1 (D1) through Day 5 (D5). Measured as percentage of successful assignments compared to intended programming.
Accuracy of Device Study Arm Parameters by Device5 daysVerification of correct study arm parameters applied by device for each participant for each session, Day 1 (D1) through Day 5 (D5).
Accuracy of Stimulation Initiation Based on EEG by Device5 daysVerification of correct stimulation initiation decisions for each evaluated EEG window by device for each participant for each session, Day 1 (D1) through Day 5 (D5).
Accuracy of Device Logs Uploaded to Cloud by Device5 daysVerification of equivalence between logs stored on local device and corresponding logs uploaded to cloud for each participant for each session, Day 1 (D1) through Day 5 (D5).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
HDRS-17 Change21 DaysChange in HDRS-17 from two week follow-up (FUP) to D1 between Experimental and Sham Comparator study arms; minimum value is 0, maximum value is 52. Higher scores indicate worse outcome.
Change in Alpha Oscillation Power5 DaysChange in EEG alpha oscillation power between D1 and D5 between Experimental and Sham Comparator study arms.

Countries

United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORDavid Rubinow, MD

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Aug 19, 2026