NESBID: Neuro-Stimulation of the Brain in Depression (NESBID)
Depressive Disorder, Major, Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Depressive Disorder, Major
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Currently suffering from an MDE with a score on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) greater than 34 (signifying severe depression)
- Have ultra treatment resistant MDD (defined as failure to remit despite adequate trials with five antidepressants, or failure to remit with ECT, or failure to remit with ketamine)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Have been diagnosed with psychosis, an addiction disorder (other than nicotine), borderline personality disorder, or antisocial personality disorder, as these conditions could interfere with adherence to the study protocol
- Are currently using a herbal compound or known NMDA-modulating agent, as these substances could interfere with the induction of LTP and thereby limit the effectiveness of tDCS
- Are pregnant, as tDCS has not been adequately studied in this population
- Have an electronic implant, cardiac dysrhythmia, seizure disorder, neurological disorder, or neurosurgical history, as the safety of electrical stimulation with tDCS cannot be assured given these comorbidities
Sites / Locations
- Grey Nuns Community Hospital
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Sham Comparator
Active transcranial direct current stimulation
Sham transcranial direct current stimulation
Active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), delivered at 2 mA and for 30 minutes, on sequential weekdays, for a total of 30 sessions. Participants will continue to receive their usual pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy.
Sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which will ramp up to 2 mA over 17 s, and then ramp down to and remain at 0.3 mA for the remainder of the 30 minute session. The short period of active stimulation is included to stimulate the somatic sensations of active therapy. The trickle current at 0.3 mA is necessary to measure electrode contact and prevent investigators from deducing that the device is no longer active. Participants will receive the sham therapy on sequential weekdays for a total of 30 sessions. Participants will continue to receive their usual pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy.