Enhanced Spatial Targeting in ECT Utilizing FEAST

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · Sep 19, 2019

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to perform electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for people with treatment-resistant depression, which is when traditional treatments have not helped. The goal is to find a method that reduces negative side effects, mainly memory loss, while still effectively relieving depressive symptoms. The researchers are focusing on adjusting the placement of electrodes on one side of the head to better target a specific area of the brain called the Prefrontal Cortex. By doing this, they hope patients will experience fewer memory issues after treatment while still gaining the benefits of ECT.

To participate in this study, you should have a diagnosis of major depressive disorder and a certain level of depression severity. You also need to be willing and able to provide consent for the treatment. Participants will receive ECT in a similar way to standard procedures, with the same level of care during anesthesia and recovery. If successful, this study could lead to better ECT options for many people suffering from depression, helping them feel better with fewer side effects.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Diagnosis of major depressive disorder using MINI-7 to derive RDC; DSM-IV
• • Pretreatment HRSD score greater than or equal to 18
• • ECT indicated by physician evaluation
• • Willing and capable of providing informed consent as determined by physician evaluation
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, other functional psychosis, or rapid cycling bipolar disorder as determined by MINI-7; rapid cycling defined as greater than or equal to four episodes in past year
• • History of neurological illness or insult other than conditions associated with psychotropic exposure (e.g., tardive dyskinesia) determined by physician evaluation and medical history
• • Alcohol or substance abuse or dependence in the past year (RDC) determined by physician evaluation
• • Secondary diagnosis of a delirium, dementia, or amnestic disorder (DSM-IV), pregnancy, or epilepsy determined by physician evaluation
• • Requires especially rapid antidepressant response due to suicidality, psychosis, inanition, psychosocial obligations, etc. determined by physician evaluation
• • ECT in the past six months determined by physician evaluation and medical history
• • Pregnancy as determined by urine pregnancy test and clinical interview