Trial results for a study investigating Teen Brain Training (TBT), a neurofeedback intervention for Depression, Suicide Ideation, and Attempted Suicide, were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2026-03-03, indicating reductions in both suicide severity and ideation scores across study arms.
Background
Depression, suicide ideation, and attempted suicide represent significant public health challenges, particularly among adolescents. Current treatment approaches often involve psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, or a combination of both. However, there remains a need for non-invasive treatment options that can complement existing therapies or offer alternatives for individuals who may not respond to conventional treatments. This study explores neurofeedback as a non-invasive method where participants learn to control their brain activity in real time, aiming to address underlying neurological patterns associated with these conditions.
Trial design
This completed study, identified as Phase 1, enrolled 157 participants. The trial included individuals with Suicide, Attempted, Suicide, Ideation, and Depression. The intervention involved neurofeedback training, described as controlling brain activity in real time inside a scanner. Participants were assigned to either the dACC Arm or the rAMY Arm, referring to specific brain regions targeted during the neurofeedback sessions.
Key results
The trial measured outcomes using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS) and the Suicide Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ) at multiple visits. Both study arms demonstrated reductions in scores for both measures from Visit 1 to Visit 5:
- Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS):
- For the dACC Arm, the mean score decreased from 2.08 points (Standard Deviation 1.71) at Visit 1 to 1.17 points (Standard Deviation 1.28) at Visit 5.
- For the rAMY Arm, the mean score decreased from 2.37 points (Standard Deviation 1.65) at Visit 1 to 1.03 points (Standard Deviation 1.21) at Visit 5.
- Suicide Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ):
- For the dACC Arm, the mean score decreased from 61.45 units on a scale (Standard Deviation 38.2) at Visit 1 to 50.13 units on a scale (Standard Deviation 36.62) at Visit 5.
- For the rAMY Arm, the mean score decreased from 64.27 units on a scale (Standard Deviation 36.28) at Visit 1 to 47.12 units on a scale (Standard Deviation 33.98) at Visit 5.
What this means
The results of this Phase 1 study suggest that Teen Brain Training (TBT) neurofeedback may be associated with reductions in suicide severity and ideation among participants with depression and suicide risk factors. The observed decreases in CSSRS and SIQ scores across both dACC and rAMY arms indicate a potential positive effect of this non-invasive intervention. These findings warrant further investigation in larger, controlled trials to determine the efficacy and long-term benefits of neurofeedback for these vulnerable populations.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT06183580, titled "Teen Brain Training (TBT)", were posted on 2026-03-03 on clinicaltrials.gov.