Understanding Brain Changes During Depression Treatment

Plain-English translation of NCT04581902 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated January 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

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This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This study is looking for specific patterns in the brain—called biomarkers—that could help doctors better understand depression and predict who will benefit most from a treatment called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Researchers will take special brain scans and recordings before, during, and after you receive rTMS treatment. The goal is to discover which brain patterns show depression, and how those patterns change as you get better.

Depression is difficult to treat, and doctors don't yet have reliable ways to know in advance which patients will respond well to which treatments. This study aims to find brain-based clues that could personalize depression care and help doctors choose the most effective treatment path for each person.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 18 and 70 years old
you have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and are currently in a depressive episode without psychotic features
your depression is moderate to severe and has not improved after trying 1-4 different antidepressant medications
you are willing to receive non-invasive brain stimulation and attend study visits for about 8 weeks
you are able to speak and read English and provide informed consent

You likely don't qualify if…

you have a history of seizures or certain neurological conditions like epilepsy or dementia
you have implanted medical devices in your head (such as a pacemaker or metal aneurysm clips) that are not compatible with MRI scans
you have had a psychotic disorder, or you currently have active thoughts of suicide
you have struggled with alcohol or substance abuse or dependence in the past 6 months
you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding

What participation looks like

You will come in for an initial screening and evaluation, then have brain scans (MRI, DTI) and EEG recordings before starting treatment. Over about 8 weeks, you will receive 30–36 sessions of rTMS—a non-invasive magnetic stimulation applied to a specific part of your brain—either in the morning or afternoon. You'll have repeat brain scans and recordings at the midpoint of treatment and again after treatment ends so researchers can see how your brain changes in response to this treatment.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 20, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

United States

University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California