Accelerated High-Dose tDCS for Depression

Part of paid clinical trials in Charleston, South Carolina.

Sponsor
Medical University of South Carolina
Study ID
NCT07226011
Status
Recruiting
Apply to this trial

Conditions

  • Major Depression
  • Major Depression Disorders

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 70 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) — DEVICE
    Participants receive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) using a high-dose (6 mA) protocol delivered twice daily for five consecutive weekdays (10 sessions total). The first three participants complete a Day 1 in-lab dose-escalation (2 mA → 4 mA → 6 mA) with a Day 2 skin integrity check before continuing at 6 mA. All sessions last 20 minutes and are followed by adverse-event monitoring.

Study Details

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.

Key Dates

Start date
Dec 15, 2025
Status verified
May 2026
Primary completion
Jun 30, 2026
Completion
Aug 1, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
20 participants (estimated)
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Experimental: High-Dose tDCS Intervention
    Participants in this single-arm, open-label pilot study will receive high-dose transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for major depressive disorder. Each participant undergoes twice-daily 20-minute sessions at 6 mA for five consecutive weekdays (total of 10 sessions). The first three participants complete an in-lab dose-escalation safety run-in (2 mA → 4 mA → 6 mA on Day 1) with a Day 2 skin integrity check before continuing at 6 mA twice daily for the remaining days. All participants complete baseline, post-intervention, and 4-week follow-up assessments of depressive symptoms, cognition, and tolerability.

Primary Outcome Measure

Number of Participants With Device-Related Serious Adverse Events [ Time Frame: Up to 7 days ]

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
MUSC Brain Stimulation LabCharlestonSouth Carolina29407
Clayton Olash, MD
[email protected]
5023778275
Elisabeth Collins, BS
[email protected]
8437928292

Find similar trials in Charleston, SC

By research site
MUSC Brain Stimulation Lab· Charleston, SC

Related Studies