Probing the Functional and Behavioral Impact of Precision Circuit Modulation in Neuropsychiatric Diseases
Massachusetts General Hospital
Summary
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a way of non-invasively stimulating specific brain networks and is an established treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). This proposal will reveal network mechanisms of the therapeutic effects of rTMS by investigating how stimulating each network specifically changes network connectivity and behavior. This will be done in a highly individualized manner in depressed and healthy patients, leading to more effective and more individualized treatments for depression.
Description
Network models are increasingly invoked to characterize the neurobiological underpinnings of mental illnesses. Dysfunction within specific circuits promotes the formation of specific symptoms. This suggests an opportunity to treat specific symptoms by modulating specific circuits. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is capable of circuit-specific neuromodulation. It is also an established treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Clinical experience suggests that rTMS treats different symptom constructs by stimulating different circuits. However, there remains a critical l…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria for healthy participants: * 18-65 years of age * Capacity to provide informed consent form to participate in the study Inclusion Criteria for participants with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): * 18-65 years of age * Capacity to provide informed consent form to participate in the study * Currently in a major depressive episode. Comorbid anxiety disorders and personality disorders will be allowed provided that MDD is the primary diagnosis. Exclusion Criteria for all participants: * Meeting criteria, in the past or currently, for bipolar affective disorder, hypomania or ma…
Interventions
- DeviceIntermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS)
iTBS is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation used to treat depression. It works on the principles of electromagnetic induction.
Location
- Massachusetts General HospitalBoston, Massachusetts