qEEG Brain Signature of Depression & Neuromodulation-induced Recovery
Canada100 participantsStarted 2025-01-06
Plain-language summary
This study aims to explore how repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a treatment for depression, affects brain function. Depression disrupts the brain's complex network or regions that regulate cognition, emotion, and behavior. rTMS targets these disruptions to restore network function. To measure these effects, researchers will use dry quantitative EEG (qEEG), a new technology that records brain electrical activity quickly (15 minutes compared to 1 hour for traditional EEG) without the need for gel or lengthy electrode setups. This study will evaluate a novel qEEG activity developed by iMediSync (Republic of South Korea) in patients treated with neuromodulation for depression before, during, and up to 12 months after treatment to see if changes in brain activity to identify patterns associated with symptomatic improvement and relapse risk. Findings could help personalize depression treatments by predicting patient outcomes and optimizing care.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 80 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* A diagnosis of Depression based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) 5.0 criteria.
* Receiving a neuromodulation (rTMS) treatment for depression at the HCN
* Physically healthy
* Age 18-80, inclusive.
* Able to provide informed consent and comply with the study protocol.
* Patients will not be excluded solely based on communication (i.e., non-English speaking) unless they have exclusion criteria that is the cause of the communication difficulties.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Moderate substance use disorder or greater severity based on DSM 5.0 criteria and confirmed by a study MD on clinical assessment.
* Mild and major comorbid medical conditions (as determined by investigators - e.g., neurological diseases, uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes, malignancy)
* A major comorbid psychiatric disorder (as determined by investigators - e.g., schizophrenia or bipolar disorder) and/or psychosis at the time of study enrollment.
* History of seizure disorder
* Pregnant
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in Depression Score on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)