Modulatory Effects of Personalized Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) on Heart-Brain Couplin… (NCT07753473) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Modulatory Effects of Personalized Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) on Heart-Brain Coupling in Individuals With Depressive Tendencies
China60 participantsStarted 2026-08-01
Plain-language summary
This study focuses on individuals with depressive tendencies and investigates the regulatory effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)-guided by personalized functional connectivity mapping-on heart-brain coupling in this population, while also exploring the underlying mechanisms.Participants will undergo 3T functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans, followed by four different types of neurostimulation: stimulation targeting individualized Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) -Subgenual Anterior Cingulate Cortex (sgACC) functional connectivity, stimulation targeting individualized DLPFC-insula functional connectivity, standard F3 targeting, and sham stimulation. The order of these stimulation sessions will be randomized. Researchers will simultaneously record the participants' electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) signals before and after stimulation, and will record ECG in real-time during the stimulation. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the effects of DLPFC targeting specificity on metrics such as heart-brain coupling in individuals with depressive tendencies, thereby providing a basis for future research on objective assessment and personalized interventions for depression.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 30 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
. Aged 18-30 years;
. Recent feelings of low mood and presence of depressive symptoms;
. Physically healthy, with no history of neurological disorders;
. No participation in other neuromodulation experiments within the past month;
. Normal hearing and normal (or corrected-to-normal) vision;
. PHQ-9 score \> 5 and BDI-II score \> 13;
. Avoidance of staying up late, alcohol consumption, and excessive caffeine intake prior to the experiment;
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
TMS-induced heart-brain coupling
Timeframe: Perioperative. During the 7-minute-22-second treatment period under each stimulation condition.
2
Phase-amplitude coupling
Timeframe: Perioperative period. Specifically, within 10 minutes before and after each stimulus condition.
3
Heartbeat-evoked potentials
Timeframe: Perioperative period. Specifically, within 10 minutes before and after each stimulus condition.