Major Depressive DisorderNCT00367003
Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment Resistant Depression
A study testing Deep Brain Stimulation in people with Major Depressive Disorder, run by Emory University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to test the safety, efficacy and mechanism of action of subgenual cingulate (Cg25) deep brain stimulation (DBS) for major depression in patients who have not responded to prior antidepressant treatments. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 70 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Major Depressive Disorder
- What is being tested?
- Deep Brain Stimulation
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 37 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Sep 2006to 14 Jun 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 70 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Ability to provide written informed consent.
- Current Major Depressive Episode (MDE), secondary to either Major Depressive Disorder or Bipolar Disorder (I, II or NOS), diagnosed by structured clinical interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV-text revision (DSM-IV-TR).
- Current MDE at least two years duration OR a history of more than 4 lifetime depressive episodes.
- Minimum score at study entry of 20 on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17).
- Average pre-operative HDRS-17 score of 20 or greater (averaged over four weekly pre-surgical evaluations during the four weeks prior to surgery) and an average pre-operative HDRS-17 score no more than 30% lower than the baseline screening HDRS-17 score.
- A maximum Global Assessment of Functioning of 50.
Show all 11Show fewer
- Treatment-resistant depression defined as:
- Failure to respond to a minimum of four different antidepressant treatments, including at least three medications from at least three different classes, evidence-based psychotherapy or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) administered at adequate doses and duration during the current episode.
- Failure or intolerance of an adequate course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) during any episode (confirmed by medical records), or refusal of ECT due to a reason considered to be valid by the study psychiatrist.
- A patient may remain on psychotropic medications during this study. However, doses must remain stable during the 4 weeks prior to surgery, the four weeks post-operatively, and the 24 weeks open stimulation phase. Medications will be changed only if intolerable side effects clearly attributable to the medications develop.
- All patients must have an established outpatient psychiatrist and be willing to sign a written release to allow study investigators to give and receive information from this psychiatrist.
Who cannot join
- Inability to tolerate general anesthesia.
- Significant cerebrovascular risk factors or a previous stroke, documented major head trauma or neurodegenerative disorder.
- Other currently active clinically significant Axis I psychiatric diagnosis including schizophrenia, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder. Patients with severe Axis II personality disorders will also be excluded if the personality disorder is likely to interfere with cooperation and adherence to the study protocol.
- Current psychotic symptoms.
- Evidence of global cognitive impairment.
- Substance abuse or dependence not in full sustained remission (i.e., not active for at least one year).
Show all 16Show fewer
- Active suicidal ideation with intent; suicide attempt within the last six months; more than three suicide attempts within the last two years.
- Pregnancy or plan to become pregnant during the study period.
- General contraindications for DBS surgery (cardiac pacemaker/defibrillator or other implanted devices).
- Inability or unwillingness to comply with long-term follow-up.
- History of intolerance to neural stimulation of any area of the body.
- Participation in another drug, device or biologics trial within the preceding 30 days.
- Conditions requiring repeated MRI scans.
- Conditions requiring diathermy.
- Conditions requiring anticoagulant medication.
- Terminal illness associated with expected survival of <12 months.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, Georgia, 30322
About this study
The purpose of this study is to test the safety, efficacy and mechanism of action of subgenual cingulate (Cg25) deep brain stimulation (DBS) for major depression in patients who have not responded to prior antidepressant treatments. Participation in the study will continue for ten years or until the device receives FDA approval for depression. Forty (40) patients will be enrolled in this study.
Read the detailed description
Major Depression is one of the most common and costly of all psychiatric disorders. While depression can be effectively treated in the majority of patients by either medication or some form of evidence-based psychotherapy, up to 20% of patients fail to respond to standard interventions. For these patients, trial-and-error combinations of multiple medications and electroconvulsive therapy are often required. For patients who remain severely depressed despite these aggressive approaches, new strategies are needed.
Converging clinical, biochemical, neuroimaging, and post-mortem data suggest depression is unlikely to be a disease of a single brain region or neurotransmitter system. Rather, it is now generally viewed as a systems-level disorder affecting integrated pathways linking select cortical, subcortical and limbic sites and their related neurotransmitter and molecular mediators. Treatments for depression can be viewed within a limbic-cortical system framework, where different modes of treatment modulate specific regional targets, resulting in a variety of complementary, adaptive chemical and molecular changes that re-establish a normal mood state. Functional neuroimaging studies have played a critical role in characterizing these limbic-cortical pathways. Previous studies have demonstrated consistent involvement of the subgenual cingulate (Cg25) in both acute sadness and antidepressant treatment effects, suggesting a critical role for this region in modulating negative mood states.
This study will test whether high frequency deep brain stimulation of the subgenual cingulate white matter (Cg25-DBS) is a safe and efficacious antidepressant treatment in forty patients with treatment resistant depression, and to investigate potential mechanisms of action of this intervention.
- Conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Being tested
- Deep Brain Stimulation
- Keywords
- Depression, Unipolar, Bipolar-II, DBS, Imaging
- Medical subject headings
- Depressive Disorder, Major, Depression
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Deep Brain StimulationDevice
The deep brain stimulation system (consisting of a lead, extension wire, and implanted pulse generator) will be surgically implanted to stimulate the targeted area of the brain. Stimulation will be turned off for 4 weeks following implantation, then participants will use brain stimulation for 6 months. Participants will also take part in Behavioral Activation therapy during the 6 months of active stimulation. Participants will be followed for 10 years, or until the DBS device has been FDA approved, with adjustments made to the stimulator and medications as necessary.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Brain Stimulation | Experimental | Participants with treatment resistant depression will have a device implanted for deep brain stimulation. Receives: Device: Deep Brain Stimulation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 Score
The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) contains 17 items that are scored from 0 to 2, 3, or 4, where 0 is lack of difficulty and the highest number for an item is the most extreme difficulty. Total scores range from 0 to 53 and higher scores indicate greater depression. For this study, a response to treatment will be defined as a decrease in the HDRS-17 score of 50% or greater from the average pre-surgical baseline.
Measured: Baseline, Week 24 post-intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Aug 2006 (estimated)
- Study startSep 2006
- Primary completion2 Jan 2014
- Study completion14 Jun 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (11)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Major Depressive DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Emory UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 37 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Emory University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- The Dana Foundation
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Patricio Riva Posse, Emory University
- Investigators
- Patricio Riva Posse, MD, Principal investigator, Emory University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00367003
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB00024883
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 18 Aug 2006
- Last updated
- 23 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
Publications
Mayberg HS, Lozano AM, Voon V, McNeely HE, Seminowicz D, Hamani C, Schwalb JM, Kennedy SH. Deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression. Neuron. 2005 Mar 3;45(5):651-60. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2005.02.014.
PubMed 15748841Riva-Posse P, Crowell AL, Wright K, Waters AC, Choi K, Garlow SJ, Holtzheimer PE, Gross RE, Mayberg HS. Rapid Antidepressant Effects of Deep Brain Stimulation and Their Relation to Surgical Protocol. Biol Psychiatry. 2020 Oct 15;88(8):e37-e39. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.03.017. Epub 2020 May 14. No abstract available.
PubMed 32418613Crowell AL, Riva-Posse P, Holtzheimer PE, Garlow SJ, Kelley ME, Gross RE, Denison L, Quinn S, Mayberg HS. Long-Term Outcomes of Subcallosal Cingulate Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression. Am J Psychiatry. 2019 Nov 1;176(11):949-956. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.18121427. Epub 2019 Oct 4.
PubMed 31581800Riva-Posse P, Choi KS, Holtzheimer PE, Crowell AL, Garlow SJ, Rajendra JK, McIntyre CC, Gross RE, Mayberg HS. A connectomic approach for subcallosal cingulate deep brain stimulation surgery: prospective targeting in treatment-resistant depression. Mol Psychiatry. 2018 Apr;23(4):843-849. doi: 10.1038/mp.2017.59. Epub 2017 Apr 11.
PubMed 28397839Holtzheimer PE, Kelley ME, Gross RE, Filkowski MM, Garlow SJ, Barrocas A, Wint D, Craighead MC, Kozarsky J, Chismar R, Moreines JL, Mewes K, Posse PR, Gutman DA, Mayberg HS. Subcallosal cingulate deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant unipolar and bipolar depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2012 Feb;69(2):150-8. doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2011.1456. Epub 2012 Jan 2.
PubMed 22213770Riva-Posse P, Choi KS, Holtzheimer PE, McIntyre CC, Gross RE, Chaturvedi A, Crowell AL, Garlow SJ, Rajendra JK, Mayberg HS. Defining critical white matter pathways mediating successful subcallosal cingulate deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression. Biol Psychiatry. 2014 Dec 15;76(12):963-9. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.03.029. Epub 2014 Apr 13.
PubMed 24832866Filkowski MM, Mayberg HS, Holtzheimer PE. Considering Eligibility for Studies of Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression: Insights From a Clinical Trial in Unipolar and Bipolar Depression. J ECT. 2016 Jun;32(2):122-6. doi: 10.1097/YCT.0000000000000281.
PubMed 26479487Riva-Posse P, Holtzheimer PE, Garlow SJ, Mayberg HS. Practical considerations in the development and refinement of subcallosal cingulate white matter deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression. World Neurosurg. 2013 Sep-Oct;80(3-4):S27.e25-34. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2012.11.074. Epub 2012 Dec 13.
PubMed 23246630Fisher CE, Dunn LB, Christopher PP, Holtzheimer PE, Leykin Y, Mayberg HS, Lisanby SH, Appelbaum PS. The ethics of research on deep brain stimulation for depression: decisional capacity and therapeutic misconception. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2012 Aug;1265:69-79. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06596.x. Epub 2012 Jul 19.
PubMed 22812719Christopher PP, Leykin Y, Appelbaum PS, Holtzheimer PE 3rd, Mayberg HS, Dunn LB. Enrolling in deep brain stimulation research for depression: influences on potential subjects' decision making. Depress Anxiety. 2012 Feb;29(2):139-46. doi: 10.1002/da.20916. Epub 2011 Nov 17.
PubMed 22095837Holtzheimer PE 3rd, Mayberg HS. Deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression. Am J Psychiatry. 2010 Dec;167(12):1437-44. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2010.10010141. No abstract available.
PubMed 21131410
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment Resistant Depression
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00367003
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB00024883
- Conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Keywords
- Depression, Unipolar, Bipolar-II, DBS, Imaging
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 37 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Emory UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- The Dana Foundation
- Study start
- Sep 2006
- Primary completion
- 2 Jan 2014 (actual)
- Study completion
- 14 Jun 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 22 Aug 2006 (estimated)
- Results
- Posted 14 Jul 2020
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this study is to test the safety, efficacy and mechanism of action of subgenual cingulate (Cg25) deep brain stimulation (DBS) for major depression in patients who have not responded to prior antidepressant treatments. Participation in the study will continue for ten years or until the device receives FDA approval for depression. Forty (40) patients will be enrolled in this study.
Detailed description
Major Depression is one of the most common and costly of all psychiatric disorders. While depression can be effectively treated in the majority of patients by either medication or some form of evidence-based psychotherapy, up to 20% of patients fail to respond to standard interventions. For these patients, trial-and-error combinations of multiple medications and electroconvulsive therapy are often required. For patients who remain severely depressed despite these aggressive approaches, new strategies are needed.
Converging clinical, biochemical, neuroimaging, and post-mortem data suggest depression is unlikely to be a disease of a single brain region or neurotransmitter system. Rather, it is now generally viewed as a systems-level disorder affecting integrated pathways linking select cortical, subcortical and limbic sites and their related neurotransmitter and molecular mediators. Treatments for depression can be viewed within a limbic-cortical system framework, where different modes of treatment modulate specific regional targets, resulting in a variety of complementary, adaptive chemical and molecular changes that re-establish a normal mood state. Functional neuroimaging studies have played a critical role in characterizing these limbic-cortical pathways. Previous studies have demonstrated consistent involvement of the subgenual cingulate (Cg25) in both acute sadness and antidepressant treatment effects, suggesting a critical role for this region in modulating negative mood states.
This study will test whether high frequency deep brain stimulation of the subgenual cingulate white matter (Cg25-DBS) is a safe and efficacious antidepressant treatment in forty patients with treatment resistant depression, and to investigate potential mechanisms of action of this intervention.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Brain Stimulation | Experimental | Device: Deep Brain StimulationParticipants with treatment resistant depression will have a device implanted for deep brain stimulation. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (11 listed)
- Ability to provide written informed consent.
- Current Major Depressive Episode (MDE), secondary to either Major Depressive Disorder or Bipolar Disorder (I, II or NOS), diagnosed by structured clinical interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV-text revision (DSM-IV-TR).
- Current MDE at least two years duration OR a history of more than 4 lifetime depressive episodes.
- Minimum score at study entry of 20 on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17).
- Average pre-operative HDRS-17 score of 20 or greater (averaged over four weekly pre-surgical evaluations during the four weeks prior to surgery) and an average pre-operative HDRS-17 score no more than 30% lower than the baseline screening HDRS-17 score.
Key exclusion criteria (16 listed)
- Inability to tolerate general anesthesia.
- Significant cerebrovascular risk factors or a previous stroke, documented major head trauma or neurodegenerative disorder.
- Other currently active clinically significant Axis I psychiatric diagnosis including schizophrenia, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder. Patients with severe Axis II personality disorders will also be excluded if the personality disorder is likely to interfere with cooperation and adherence to the study protocol.
- Current psychotic symptoms.
- Evidence of global cognitive impairment.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Brain StimulationThe deep brain stimulation system (consisting of a lead, extension wire, and implanted pulse generator) will be surgically implanted to stimulate the targeted area of the brain. Stimulation will be turned off for 4 weeks following implantation, then participants will use brain stimulation for 6 months. Participants will also take part in Behavioral Activation therapy during the 6 months of active stimulation. Participants will be followed for 10 years, or until the DBS device has been FDA approved, with adjustments made to the stimulator and medications as necessary. | Device | Deep Brain Stimulation |
Primary outcome
Change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 24 post-intervention
The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) contains 17 items that are scored from 0 to 2, 3, or 4, where 0 is lack of difficulty and the highest number for an item is the most extreme difficulty. Total scores range from 0 to 53 and higher scores indicate greater depression. For this study, a response to treatment will be defined as a decrease in the HDRS-17 score of 50% or greater from the average pre-surgical baseline.
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Jun 2026.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Background: PubMed 15748841Mayberg HS, Lozano AM, Voon V, McNeely HE, Seminowicz D, Hamani C, Schwalb JM, Kennedy SH. Deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression. Neuron. 2005 Mar 3;45(5):651-60. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2005.02.014.
- Background: PubMed 32418613Riva-Posse P, Crowell AL, Wright K, Waters AC, Choi K, Garlow SJ, Holtzheimer PE, Gross RE, Mayberg HS. Rapid Antidepressant Effects of Deep Brain Stimulation and Their Relation to Surgical Protocol. Biol Psychiatry. 2020 Oct 15;88(8):e37-e39. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.03.017. Epub 2020 May 14. No abstract available.
- Results publication: PubMed 31581800Crowell AL, Riva-Posse P, Holtzheimer PE, Garlow SJ, Kelley ME, Gross RE, Denison L, Quinn S, Mayberg HS. Long-Term Outcomes of Subcallosal Cingulate Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression. Am J Psychiatry. 2019 Nov 1;176(11):949-956. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.18121427. Epub 2019 Oct 4.
- Results publication: PubMed 28397839Riva-Posse P, Choi KS, Holtzheimer PE, Crowell AL, Garlow SJ, Rajendra JK, McIntyre CC, Gross RE, Mayberg HS. A connectomic approach for subcallosal cingulate deep brain stimulation surgery: prospective targeting in treatment-resistant depression. Mol Psychiatry. 2018 Apr;23(4):843-849. doi: 10.1038/mp.2017.59. Epub 2017 Apr 11.
- Results publication: PubMed 22213770Holtzheimer PE, Kelley ME, Gross RE, Filkowski MM, Garlow SJ, Barrocas A, Wint D, Craighead MC, Kozarsky J, Chismar R, Moreines JL, Mewes K, Posse PR, Gutman DA, Mayberg HS. Subcallosal cingulate deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant unipolar and bipolar depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2012 Feb;69(2):150-8. doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2011.1456. Epub 2012 Jan 2.
- Results publication: PubMed 24832866Riva-Posse P, Choi KS, Holtzheimer PE, McIntyre CC, Gross RE, Chaturvedi A, Crowell AL, Garlow SJ, Rajendra JK, Mayberg HS. Defining critical white matter pathways mediating successful subcallosal cingulate deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression. Biol Psychiatry. 2014 Dec 15;76(12):963-9. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.03.029. Epub 2014 Apr 13.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 26479487Filkowski MM, Mayberg HS, Holtzheimer PE. Considering Eligibility for Studies of Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression: Insights From a Clinical Trial in Unipolar and Bipolar Depression. J ECT. 2016 Jun;32(2):122-6. doi: 10.1097/YCT.0000000000000281.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 23246630Riva-Posse P, Holtzheimer PE, Garlow SJ, Mayberg HS. Practical considerations in the development and refinement of subcallosal cingulate white matter deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression. World Neurosurg. 2013 Sep-Oct;80(3-4):S27.e25-34. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2012.11.074. Epub 2012 Dec 13.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 22812719Fisher CE, Dunn LB, Christopher PP, Holtzheimer PE, Leykin Y, Mayberg HS, Lisanby SH, Appelbaum PS. The ethics of research on deep brain stimulation for depression: decisional capacity and therapeutic misconception. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2012 Aug;1265:69-79. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06596.x. Epub 2012 Jul 19.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 22095837Christopher PP, Leykin Y, Appelbaum PS, Holtzheimer PE 3rd, Mayberg HS, Dunn LB. Enrolling in deep brain stimulation research for depression: influences on potential subjects' decision making. Depress Anxiety. 2012 Feb;29(2):139-46. doi: 10.1002/da.20916. Epub 2011 Nov 17.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 21131410Holtzheimer PE 3rd, Mayberg HS. Deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression. Am J Psychiatry. 2010 Dec;167(12):1437-44. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2010.10010141. No abstract available.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Patricio Riva Posse, MD principal investigator
Emory University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Deep Brain Stimulation in people with Major Depressive Disorder, run by Emory University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 11 inclusion and 16 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 14 Jul 2020). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 Score (time frame: Baseline, Week 24 post-intervention). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00367003, which also lists 11 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 23 Jun 2026.