Mechanisms Of Orbitofrontal Stimulation in Depression
Start Date
4/15/2026
Completion Date
12/1/2030
Summary
The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), a region involved in emotional regulation, decision making, and reward processing, is a key area linked to antidepressant response. This study tests whether noninvasive stimulation of the OFC using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can improve depressive symptoms. TMS uses magnetic fields generated by a coil placed next to the scalp to alter brain activity.
Detailed Description
The main purpose of this study is to test a new treatment target for major depressive disorder (MDD) and to understand the brain mechanisms that may lead to antidepressant response. The treatment target of this study is the right orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), a brain region towards the front of the brain involved in emotion regulation, reward-processing, and decision-making. Other studies have shown that stimulating the OFC can improve depression symptoms. However, no study has yet directly compared the effects of real (active) versus placebo (sham) OFC stimulation on both mood and brain function. Comparison of active versus sham treatment is key in medical research. This study aims to fill that gap by comparing active versus sham stimulation of the right OFC in people with MDD who are currently experiencing moderate to severe symptoms. Participants will take part in a two phases: a triple-blind, randomized, sham-controlled phase, followed by an open-label phase where all participants receive active OFC stimulation. Aim 1: To determine whether active TMS targeting the right OFC, compared to sham stimulation at the same site, reduces depressive symptom severity in individuals with MDD. Aim 2: To test whether active TMS to the right OFC, compared to sham stimulation at the same site, reduces ruminative symptoms in individuals with MDD.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Range: 18 years to 65 years
Interventions
Sham TMS
Active TMS
Conditions
Locations
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts 02215
United States