Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Treatment-resistant Depression

This is an interventional treatment trial for Therapy Resistant Major Depression focused on measuring tDCS, major depression Read More

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18-75 years
• At least moderate major depressive episode (DSM IV criteria).
• Stable total pre-treatment Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score ≥18
• Therapy-resistance during current depressive episode (according to ATHF).
• The patient must be in the condition to understand the patient-information, as well as the necessary examinations. He/she must be able to give a written consent.
• Stable antidepressant medication, that is retained during the study- duration, from at least three weeks before the begin of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Existence of a care/legal incapacity
• Existing pregnancy
• Severe psychiatric illness (with exception of affective disorder)
• Acute suicidality
• Drug-, medication- or alcohol dependence
• Dementia according to DSM IV / ICD 10-criterions
• Severe TBI in the anamnesis
• Indications of structural damage of the basal ganglia or the brain stem
• Severe neurological disorders (e.g. M. Parkinson, epilepsy, discus-prolapse, dementia, systemic neurological illnesses, normal pressure hydrocephalus, cerebrovascular diseases, elevated intracranial pressure, in the last 6 months, polyneuropathies).
• Severe other medical conditions, like manifest arterial hypertonia, severe heart disease, pacemakers, respiratory failure, malignant illnesses all type, also in the history, active infectious diseases, skeletal disorders (like M. Paget, osteoporosis with spontaneous fractures, fresh fractures)
• Other circumstances, that speaks against a participation of the patient pinion of MD at this study.