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Accelerated iTBS for Post Partum Depression

An Open Label Study to Assess the Feasibility and Tolerability of Accelerated Theta Burst Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (iTBS-rTMS) for the Treatment of Post-Partum Depression

Who can join

Ages 18 to 50 · Women

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Participants must be able to provide informed consent and function at an intellectual level sufficient to allow accurate completion of all assessment instruments.
2. Participants must be over the age of 18.
3. Participants must meet criteria for post-partum depression: a) onset of symptoms in the first year postpartum
4. Participants must have a HRSD17 greater than or equal to 14 at baseline.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Participants must not be pregnant.
2. Participants must not meet moderate or severe use disorder of any substance with the exception of Tobacco Use Disorder.
3. Participants must not have current psychotic symptoms.
4. Participants must not have a history of dementia or other cognitive impairment.
5. Participants must not have active suicidal ideation requiring hospitalization or a suicide attempt within the past 3 months.
6. Participants must not have any contraindications to receiving rTMS (e.g. metal implanted above the neck, history of seizure, any known brain lesion).
7. Participants must not have any unstable general medical conditions.
8. Participants must not have had eclampsia during pregnancy.

About the study

Study 1: The investigators are studying the feasibility and tolerability of 10x/day intermittent theta burst (excitatory) transcranial magnetic stimulation to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex over the course of 6 days for women with post-partum depression. The investigators further aim to characterize the anticipated anti-depressant effect of this treatment paradigm.

Study 2: The investigators are studying the feasibility and tolerability of 12 sessions/day of intermittent theta burse (excitatory) transcranial magnetic stimulation to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex over 5 days for women with post-partum depression. The investigators aim to compare the two different treatment schedules.

What is being tested

• iTBS (device)

Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina · Participants: 40 · Started: Jan 24, 2018

Contact the study team

• Lisa McTeague, PhD · Phone: 843-792-8274

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT03417960

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Postpartum Depression

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.