Personalized Ultrasonic Brain Stimulation for Depression: A Study of Target Engagement and Mood Effects
Brian Mickey
Summary
This study will evaluate a new form of non-invasive brain stimulation for individuals with depression. Personalized low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation will be delivered using a range of stimulation parameters during psychological and physiological monitoring. Individualized optimal targets will be selected using structural MRI and diffusion tractography. Brain target engagement will be evaluated using functional MRI.
Description
This R61 project has 3 aims: 1. To determine whether stimulation engages the subcallosal cingulate (SCC) in an intensity-dependent manner 2. To examine the degree of specificity of neuromodulation by contrasting the neural effects of stimulating two spatially distinct targets versus sham 3. To evaluate safety, tolerability, and side effects
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 18-65, any gender. 2. Primary diagnosis of DMS-5 major depressive disorder (MINI). 3. Current moderate-to-severe depressive episode, without psychotic features, lasting at least 2 months (MINI). 4. Self-rated 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS) total score \> 10. 5. History of at least 2 failed trials of evidence-based antidepressant medication and/or psychotherapy (at least one trial during the current depressive episode). 6. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and avoid changes to psychiatric treatments (medications, psyc…
Interventions
- DeviceLTFUS to SCC
Low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound delivered to subgenual cingulate cortex
- DeviceLTFUS to ALIC
Low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound delivered to anterior limb of internal capsule
Location
- University of UtahSalt Lake City, Utah