Personalized Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation for Post-Acute Suicidal Ideation

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS · Jun 9, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new, fast treatment called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to help people who have depression and recent thoughts of suicide. TMS is a non-invasive procedure, meaning it doesn’t involve surgery or medicine. It uses magnetic pulses to gently stimulate specific areas of the brain, guided by brain scans (MRI) to make sure the right spot is targeted. The treatment takes place over 5 days, starting within a week after a person has been discharged from the hospital for suicidal thoughts. The study wants to find out if this treatment is safe, doable, and helpful in reducing depression and suicidal thoughts, as well as improving daily life and reducing the chance of needing to go back to the hospital.

People who might be eligible to join this study are those who are at least 15 years old, speak English, and were recently discharged from the emergency department because of suicidal thoughts linked to depression. Before and after the 5-day treatment, participants will have MRI brain scans, and they will return for follow-up visits one week and one month later to check how they are doing. The study excludes people who have certain medical conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are taking medications that might interfere with the treatment. This trial is not yet recruiting participants but aims to offer a new option for people struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts after a hospital visit.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • English speaking
• • Able to provide informed consent
• • ≥ 15 years old
• • Discharged within the past week from the ED for chief complaint of SI
• • MDD criteria per the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Unable to consent (due to medical condition, psychosis, substance use, etc)
• • Active use of benzodiazepines or medications that would interfere with treatment with TMS as per PI discretion
• • Active substance use or severe substance use that in the opinion of the PI would interfere with study participation
• • Untreated, active psychosis
• • Female patient who is breastfeeding, pregnant or who is planning a pregnancy during the study
• • Dementia as documented in medical records
• • Bipolar disorder as determined by the MINI
• • Contraindications to receiving TMS and/or MRI as determined by screening questionnaires
• • Participation in any clinical study with exposure to any investigational treatment or product within the previous 30 days, or plan on concurrent participation in other studies.