Theta-Burst Stimulation for Bipolar Depression

What this study is about

The purpose of this trial is to determine if intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) can reduce the symptoms of depression in treatment-resistant bipolar disorder. To do this, some of the participants in this study will receive treatment with active iTBS stimulation, while others will receive sham iTBS stimulation. Participants will come for 30 days of either active iTBS or sham iTBS, with a 6-week follow-up period. Symptoms of depression (for determining treatment efficacy) and mania (for determining treatment safety) will be assessed using the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-17) and the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) every five treatments during the treatment course, and at 1 week and 6 week after treatment completion.

Who can join (things the study team will check)

✅ You may be able to join if…

• Must be deemed to have capacity to provide informed consent;
• Must be an outpatient
• Have a DSM 5 diagnosis of bipolar disorder (type I or II), current episode depressed confirmed by Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview version 7.0.2 (MINI);
• Age 18-65;
• failure to achieve a clinical response to ≥1 adequate treatment trial for bipolar depression based on the Antidepressant Treatment History Form - Short Form (ATHF-SF) OR unable to tolerate at least 2 separate inadequate treatment trials for bipolar depression;43
• moderately severe depression with a score ≥ 15 on the PHQ-9;44
• not currently experiencing a mixed or manic episode (YMRS ≤10);
• no increase or initiation of psychotropic medication with intention of treating depressive symptoms in the 4 weeks prior to screening. This excludes targeted treatment of insomnia with trazodone, melatonin, low-dose doxepin [3-6mg], low-dose benzodiazepines [≤2mg lorazepam daily equivalent], non-benzodiazepine benzodiazepine receptor agonists, or orexin antagonists;
• able to adhere to the treatment schedule;
• pass the TMS adult safety screening questionnaire.45

🚫 You may not be able to join if…

• have a history of MINI diagnosis of a substance use disorder (other than nicotine and/or caffeine) within the last 3 months;
• have a concomitant major unstable medical illness;
• have active suicidal intent (assessed during HRSD-17 Item 3 and SSRS as imminent intent to act on specific plan, confirmed by psychiatric staff);
• are pregnant or intend to get pregnant during the study;
• have a lifetime MINI diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder;
• have psychotic symptoms within the current episode;
• have a MINI anxiety disorder, trauma-related disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, or personality disorder assessed by a study investigator to be primary and/or causing greater impairment than BD-DE;
• failure of an adequate acute course of ECT as defined by ATHF-SF during the current episode;
• have received any rTMS before due to potential to compromise blinding of treatment allocation;
• have any clinically significant neurological disorder (e.g., recent major cerebrovascular accident), or any history of seizure except those therapeutically induced by ECT or with clear precipitant (e.g., febrile seizure of childhood, alcohol withdrawal, etc.);
• have any intracranial implant (e.g., aneurysm clips, shunts, stimulators,) or any other metal object within or near the head, excluding the mouth, that cannot be safely removed;
• are participating in psychotherapy for less than 3 months. Patients will be permitted if they have been in stable treatment for at least 3 months prior to study entry, with no anticipated change in the frequency of therapeutic sessions, or focus of therapeutic sessions over the duration of the study;
• are currently taking lorazepam >2 mg daily (or equivalent) due to the potential to limit rTMS efficacy;
• are currently taking any dose of an anticonvulsant due to the potential to limit rTMS efficacy. If anticonvulsants have been discontinued prior to screening, at least 5 half-lives have elapsed until screening to allow sufficient drug clearance;
• have a non-correctable clinically significant sensory impairment (i.e., cannot hear well enough to cooperate with interview).

Where this trial is running

• University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Who to contact

Elizabeth Clancy · 416-535-8501 · Elizabeth.Clancy@camh.ca

It's completely normal to call and ask questions before deciding anything. Mention the study ID: NCT06370988.