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taVNS or TMS or Both for Depression

Synchronized Cervical or Auricular VNS With Prefrontal rTMS for Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD)

Who can join

Ages 18 to 75 · All sexes

Inclusion Criteria:

* 18-75 years old
* Undergoing cervical VNS or have tried and failed two antidepressant medications in the current episode
* Able to provide informed consent
* English speaking and can read and write
* 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) score ≥20
* Not responding to talking therapy.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Preexisting neurological disorders, or dementia
* History of major head trauma
* Life expectancy \<1 year
* Any type of cognitive impairment that would require approval/signature of a legal guardian/representative for participation
* A score of \>2 on question 3 of the Hamilton Depression Rating pertaining to suicidality
* Current active suicidal intent or plan, prior attempt within the last 6 months, or who in the judgment of the investigator would be at elevated risk for suicide will be excluded
* Patients who are pregnant will also be excluded. We will require a pregnancy test for individuals of child-bearing potential.

About the study

The purpose of the research is to test out a combined treatment for depression where the investigators stimulate a nerve in the ear while at the same time stimulate the brain with magnets. These treatments are called transcutaneous (through the skin) auricular (ear) vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) and transcranial (through the skull) magnetic stimulation (TMS). For participants who already have a cervical VNS device, the investigators will not change their treatment and will use this in place of the taVNS. The investigators think this combined method might treat depressive symptoms better than either alone. This study is in person at the Institute of Psychiatry in downtown Charleston on the MUSC campus. First, participants will have a screening session and then will have 6 treatment days total where participants will receive either VNS treatment alone, TMS treatment alone, or both at the same time. The treatment that participants start with will be randomized, and they will have 2 treatment days of each combination.

What is being tested

• Vagus Nerve Stimulation (device)
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (device)

Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina · Participants: 24 · Started: Mar 14, 2023

Contact the study team

• Mark George · Phone: 843-876-5142

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05725239

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Depression

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Oct 2, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.