Accelerated High-Dose tDCS for Depression

In this study, investigators are testing whether a higher dose of a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), can be safely used in people with depression. Participants will come to the Brain Stimulation Lab and receive mild electrical stimulation through electrodes placed on their scalp. The study begins with a safety run-in, where the first few participants will receive stimulation at gradually increasing levels (2, 4, and 6 milliamps) while being closely monitored. If no serious side effects are found, later participants will receive repeated 6 milliamp sessions for 5 days total. Investigators will check skin comfort, mood, and overall tolerability after each session.

NCT Number	NCT07226011
Lead Sponsor	Medical University of South Carolina Collaborators: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Conditions	Major Depression, Major Depression Disorders
Enrollment	20 participants
Start Date	2025-12-15
Primary Completion	2026-08-30 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-10-01 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-07-13