Tracking Brain Biomarkers and Renormalization Associated With Antidepressant Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy (INSCAPE)

This study will attempt to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to take a picture of the brain to learn about changes that occur in the brain during Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in people receiving this treatment for depression.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Major Depressive Disorder
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Neuroimaging with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Detailed Description

The purpose of this study is to take a picture of the participants brain using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and then use an investigational way of imaging the brain, called Individualized Network-based Single-frame Coactivation Pattern Estimation ("INSCAPE") to capture the participants brain activity. This method uses a computer program to understand which parts of the participants brain communicate with each other and creates a map of the brain areas that are connected.

The participants may take part in this study either because they are planning to receive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ("TMS") for Major Depressive Disorder ("MDD"), or because they are healthy volunteers. If the participants agree to take part in the study, they will attend three experimental visits in which they will undergo MRI scans. The interval between each experimental visits is about 3 weeks. The study itself does not provide TMS treatments, as it is only to attempt to observe the effects of TMS on the brain.

During each experimental visit, the investigators will conduct a brain scan for about 30 minutes in total. During the MRI scan, the participants will need to stay still, relax, and keep eyes open in the scanner. The purpose of this study is to explore whether this investigational brains can protocol, referred to as INSCAPE, can detect brain changes over the course of depression treatment while patients are receiving TMS. This method uses a computer program to understand which parts of the participants brain communicate with each other and creates a map of the brain areas that are connected.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 40

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • South Carolina
    • Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29425
      • Medical University of South Carolina

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Twenty patients with MDD receiving standard-of-care TMS treatment at the MUSC Brain Stimulation Service will be recruited to participate in this prospective neuroimaging study. No preference will be given based on race, gender, or ethnicity. Pregnant females and children under the age of 18 will be excluded for safety reasons. No vulnerable populations or special classes of subjects will be considered for participation.

Twenty healthy controls will be enrolled as a comparison group.

Description

MDD volunteers:

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 18-65
• Have the capacity and ability to provide one's own consent in English and sign the informed consent document.
• DSM-IV diagnosis of MDD

Exclusion Criteria

• Unable to speak English.
• Contraindicated for MRI.
• Any current or recent untreated medical, neurological, or psychiatric conditions other than MDD that would preclude candidacy for TMS.
• Metal implant devices in the head, heart, or neck.
• History of brain surgery.
• History of cortisol medication use or electroconvulsive therapy.
• History of myocardial infarction or arrhythmia, bradycardia.
• Personal history of recent head injury, concussion, or self-report of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.
• Individuals suffering from frequent/severe headaches.
• Moderate to severe alcohol or substance use disorder.
• Pregnancy

Healthy Volunteers Inclusion Criteria

• Age 18-65
• Have the capacity and ability to provide one's own consent in English and sign the informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria

• Unable to speak English.
• Contraindicated for MRI.
• Any current or recent untreated medical, neurological, or psychiatric conditions
• Metal implant devices in the head, heart, or neck.
• History of brain surgery.
• History of cortisol medication use or electroconvulsive therapy.
• Comorbidity with other psychiatric/neurological illnesses or personality disorders
• History of myocardial infarction or arrhythmia, bradycardia.
• Personal history of recent head injury, concussion, or self-report of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.
• Individuals suffering from frequent/severe headaches.
• Moderate to severe alcohol or substance use disorder.
• Pregnancy

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
healthy volunteers; Age and sex-matched healthy individuals will also be recruited as a control group. They will be scanned three times (baseline, 3-week, and 6-week time points).	Other: Neuroimaging with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI); MRI will be used to observe brain states over time.
volunteers with Major Depressive Disorder; 20 patients with MDD receiving standard-of-care depression treatment (TMS) at twill be recruited to participate in this observational neuroimaging study. They will be scanned three times (baseline, 3-week, and 6-week time points).	Other: Neuroimaging with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI); MRI will be used to observe brain states over time.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Monitoring brain state renormalization with MRI	We will collect 3 MRI over the course of 6 weeks	Baseline, 3-weeks, and 6-weeks, assessed up to 6 weeks.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Andrew Manett, MD, Medical University of South Carolina

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 4, 2023
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 16, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 15, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): September 21, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 20, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 17, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Mood Disorders; Depressive Disorder; Depressive Disorder, Major; Investigative Techniques; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis; Diagnostic Imaging; Chemistry Techniques, Analytical; Spectrum Analysis; Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Neuroimaging
• Other Study ID Numbers: Pro00127417

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No