Sham-Controlled Rapid-Acting Neuromodulation for Depression

The goal of this study is to learn whether 5 days of accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a rapid form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate brain activity, works to treat depression in adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does accelerated iTBS reduce depressive symptoms compared to sham (placebo) stimulation? * Are there measurable brain, biological, and digitally measured emotion changes associated with treatment response? Participants will: * Be randomly assigned to receive either active iTBS or sham stimulation * Receive 10 stimulation sessions per day for 5 consecutive days (total of 50 sessions) * Complete MRI brain scans and EEG recordings before and after treatment * Provide blood and saliva samples to measure biological markers * Complete depression rating scales and questionnaires at baseline, during treatment, and at follow-up visits * Use a secure mobile app to record brief facial and vocal samples during the 5-day treatment and at follow-up visits * Return for follow-up visits at 1 week and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment

NCT Number	NCT07487454
Lead Sponsor	University of California, Davis
Conditions	Depression - Major Depressive Disorder
Enrollment	264 participants
Start Date	2026-12
Primary Completion	2027-05 (estimated)
Study Completion	2028-05 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-06-16