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Efficacy of kTMP, a Novel Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Method, for the Treatment of Anhedonia

Efficacy of kTMP, a Novel Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Method, for the Treatment of Anhedonia

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07032428
Acronym
kTMP Anhedonia
Enrollment
104
Registered
2025-06-24
Start date
2026-07-15
Completion date
2028-07-30
Last updated
2026-07-08

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

Conditions

Anhedonia, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Keywords

kTMP, NIBS, anhedonia, Major Depressive Disorder, Cortical Excitability, Plasticity, Neuroscience, reward network, kilohertz Transcranial Magnetic Perturbation

Brief summary

The goal of this proposal is to provide a first assessment of the efficacy of our innovative non-invasive brain stimulation system, kTMP, in the treatment of anhedonia in MDD.

Detailed description

The goal of this clinical trial is to to test and validate a novel, first-in-class, non-invasive approach to engage the brain reward circuitry for treating anhedonia, a core symptom of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). We've developed a kilohertz Transcranial Magnetic Perturbation (kTMP) device that non-invasively modulates neural activity without patient discomfort. The trial will assess the proof-of-mechanism for kTMP's efficacy in improving anhedonia in MDD patients.

Interventions

DEVICEA new non-invasive brain stimulation tool

kTMP is a magnetic induction method that delivers continuous kHz-frequency cortical electric fields (E-fields) which may be amplitude-modulated to potentially mimic electrical activity at endogenous frequencies which will be tested on anhedonia patients in this study.

DEVICEA new non-invasive brain stimulation tool with sham setting selected

This device will counterbalance the active kTMP conditions

Sponsors

Magnetic Tides
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY
University of California, San Francisco
CollaboratorOTHER

Study design

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

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

(1) Patients 21-80 years of age with clinically significant anhedonia, as defined by a SHAPS score of at least 20, and (2) Meet DSM-VTR diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive Disorder.

Exclusion criteria

(1) Reason to anticipate possible hospitalization during the course of the study; (2) Current/history of a psychotic disorder, current manic or mixed episode, meeting the DSM-VTR criteria for bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, at screening, autism spectrum disorders, or mental retardation; (3) Meet DSM-VTR criteria for a substance use disorder within the last year; (4) Current suicidal ideation, suicidal ideation with intent, plan or attempt within the last year, or are considered at significant risk for suicide during the study; (5) Use of any drugs/medications that may interfere/interact with the expected outcomes of the study within 5 half-lives of study participation (see Human Subject section for details); (6) History of seizure; (7) Intracranial expansive process; (8) Pacemaker or any metal implants in head/neck region; (9) Pregnancy; (10) Uncontrolled medical problems including but not limited to severe cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary disease, severe alcohol or drug abuse within the past year; (11) Contraindications for non-invasive brain stimulation or magnetic resonance imaging procedures; (12) Any other condition that in the opinion of the investigator would preclude participation in the study.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Ventral striatal BOLD response during reward anticipation2 monthsTo assess ventral striatal activation during reward anticipation, patients will participate in a Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) task while in an MRI scanner. We will measure the change in BOLD response during reward anticipation trials, comparing active and sham kTMP and the parametric effect of kTMP on the BOLD response.
The relationship between the level of ventral striatal engagement and clinical scores of anhedonia2 monthsFor each patient, we will obtain the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) scores and carry out a multiple regression analysis

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Changes in scores of the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS).6 monthsThe Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) is a well-validated 14-item questionnaire used to assess anhedonia. It asks participants to agree or disagree with statements of hedonic response in pleasurable situations.
The response bias in the Probabilistic Reward Task (PRT).6 monthsThis task is designed to assess the propensity to modulate behavior as a function of reinforcement history and has been found to reflect reward-related function.
The motivation to pursue reward in the Effort Expenditure for Rewards Task (EEfRT).6 monthsThe primary outcome measure in EEfRT is the proportion of high-effort, high-reward choices a participant makes with respect to low-effort, low-reward option, which indicates their willingness to expend effort to attain a larger reward.
Scores in the Visual Analog Scale of Anhedonia (VAS).6 monthsThe Visual Analog Scale (VAS)-Anhedonia is a standard VAS assessment of anhedonia severity which provides a global anhedonia indicator.
Scores in the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS).6 monthsThe TEPS is an 18-item self-report measurement of anticipatory and consummatory components of anhedonia which consists of a series of statements that must be rated according to how accurate they are for the individual.
Scores in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D).6 monthsThe HAM-D 17-item version will be included in exploratory analysis to provide confirmatory support for changes in depression severity with treatment.
Scores in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A).6 monthsThe HAM-A is a rating scale designed to measure the severity of anxiety symptoms.
Scores in The Cognitive and Physical Functioning Questionnaire6 monthsThe Cognitive and Physical Functioning Questionnaire (CPFQ) is a 7-item self-report instrument was intended to be a brief scale for measuring cognitive and executive dysfunction in patients with mood and anxiety disorders.
Scores in The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS)6 monthsA suicide risk assessment tool that supports suicide risk assessment through a series of simple, plain-language questions that anyone can ask.
Scores in The Clinical Global Impression - Severity (CGI-S)6 monthsThe CGI-S is a widely administered clinician rated global measure of subject overall illness severity.
Scores in The Clinical Global Impression - Improvement (CGI-I)6 monthsThe CGI-I is a widely administered clinician rated global measure of the degree of improvement from the initial assessment in subject overall illness severity.

Contacts

CONTACTLudovica Labruna
participate@magnetictides.com510-423-7125
CONTACTChristina Merrick
participate@magnetictides.com

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jul 9, 2026