Investigating tDCS as a Treatment for Unipolar and Bipolar Depression



Status:Completed
Conditions:Depression, Psychiatric
Therapuetic Areas:Psychiatry / Psychology
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - Any
Updated:4/21/2016
Start Date:June 2012
End Date:October 2015

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A Controlled Trial of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation as a Treatment for Unipolar and Bipolar Depression

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a novel treatment approach for depression
that has shown promising efficacy in four recent double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled
trials (RCT) and a meta-analysis. This study is a RCT of tDCS in depressed patients, testing
its efficacy in both unipolar and bipolar depression. Mood, cognitive test performance and
biomarkers will be measured during the trial.


Inclusion Criteria:

- 18 years of age or above.

- Meets criteria for a DSM-IV Major Depressive Episode with duration of at least 4
weeks.

- Total score ≥ 20 on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale at study entry.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Current episode duration greater than 3 years.

- Failed more than 3 adequate antidepressant trials in current episode.

- DSM-IV psychotic disorder.

- Drug or alcohol abuse or dependence (preceding 3 months).

- Inadequate response to ECT in the current episode of depression.

- Rapid clinical response required, e.g., high suicide risk.

- Significant acute suicide risk, defined as follows: suicide attempt within the
previous 6 months that required medical treatment; or ≥ 2 suicide attempts in the
past 12 months; or has a clear-cut plan for suicide and states that they cannot
guarantee that they will call their regular psychiatrist or the investigator if the
impulse to implement the plan becomes substantial during the study; or in the
investigator's opinion, is likely to attempt suicide within the next 6 months.

- Clinically defined neurological disorder or insult.

- Metal in the cranium, skull defects, or skin lesions on scalp (cuts, abrasions, rash)
at proposed electrode sites.

- Pregnancy.

- Concurrent long acting benzodiazepines, ritalin or dexamphetamine medication.
We found this trial at
6
sites
Durham, North Carolina 27710
(919) 684-8111
Duke University Younger than most other prestigious U.S. research universities, Duke University consistently ranks among...
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201 Dowman Dr
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
(404) 727-6123
Emory University Emory University, recognized internationally for its outstanding liberal artscolleges, graduate and professional schools,...
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Atlanta, GA
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Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002
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Cherry Hill, NJ
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Dallas, Texas 75390
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Sydney,
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Towson, Maryland 21285
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Towson, MD
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