Escitalopram, Placebo and tDCS in Depression: a Non-inferiority Trial (ELECT-TDCS)

• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01894815
• Recruitment Status: Completed
• First Posted: July 10, 2013
• Last Update Posted: December 5, 2016
• Sponsor: University of Sao Paulo
• Collaborators: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo; Brain & Behavior Research Foundation
• Information provided by (Responsible Party): Andre Brunoni, University of Sao Paulo

Study Description

Brief Summary:

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric condition, mostly treated with antidepressant drugs, which are limited for issues such as refractoriness and adverse effects. In this context, the investigators investigate a non-pharmacological treatment known as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). To prove that tDCS is similarly effective than antidepressants would have a tremendous impact in clinical psychiatry, since tDCS is virtually absent of adverse effects. Its ease of use, portability and low price are also interesting characteristics for using in primary and secondary health care. Thus, our aim is to compare tDCS against a fully dosed, effective antidepressant. The study will be a non-inferiority, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, three-arm trial comparing active tDCS/placebo pill, sham tDCS/escitalopram 20mg/day and sham tDCS/placebo pill. Our primary aim is to show that tDCS is not inferior to escitalopram 20mg/day with a noninferiority margin of at least 50% of the escitalopram-placebo effect.

Condition or disease	Intervention/treatment	Phase
Major Depressive Disorder; Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Unspecified; Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, Unspecified	Drug: Escitalopram oxalate; Device: transcranial direct current stimulation; Other: Sham tDCS + Placebo Pill	Phase 3

Detailed Description:

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric condition, mostly treated with antidepressant drugs, which are limited for issues such as refractoriness and adverse effects. In this context, the researchers investigate a non-pharmacological treatment known as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). In a prior clinical trial with 120 patients with MDD, the investigators demonstrated that the combination of tDCS with sertraline 50mg/day had increased, faster effects on depressive symptoms (Brunoni et al., JAMA Psychiatry, 2013). However, although the investigators suggested that tDCS vs. sertraline had similar efficacy, such comparison was compromised due to the low sertraline dose and also because the comparison of sertraline vs. placebo was not significant. To prove that tDCS is similarly effective than antidepressants would have a tremendous impact in clinical psychiatry, since tDCS is virtually absent of adverse effects. Its ease of use, portability and low price are also interesting characteristics for using in primary and secondary health care. Thus, our aim is to compare tDCS against a fully dosed, effective antidepressant. The study will be a non-inferiority, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, three-arm trial comparing active tDCS/placebo pill, sham tDCS/escitalopram 20mg/day and sham tDCS/placebo pill for ten weeks, randomizing 240 patients with MDD in a 3:3:2 ratio (less to placebo). Our primary aim is to show that tDCS is not inferior to escitalopram 20mg/day with a noninferiority margin of at least 50% of the escitalopram-placebo effect. As secondary aims, the researchers will investigate putative biomarkers for tDCS response. This is important considering the large sample size of this study and also the paucity of tDCS studies - therefore, the identification of such biomarkers could generate new hypothesis for future studies and for tDCS' mechanisms of action. The biomarkers will be: genetic polymorphisms (BDNF, SLC6A4, THP1, 5HT2A); serum markers (BDNF); motor cortical excitability (cortical silent period, intracortical inhibition, intracortical facilitation); heart rate variability; and neuroimaging (structural volume of the dorsolateral prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex, white matter tracts of the prefrontal cortex and posterior cingulate cortex connectivity). This project represents a novel research line in our Institution, and the investigators thereby propose the onset of a new center denominated C.I.N.A. (Interdisciplinary Center for Applied Neuromodulation) that will foment the use and development of projects using neuromodulation techniques. This new center will also interact with other centers on the fields of clinical research, neurosciences and neuropsychiatry.

Study Design

• Study Type: Interventional (Clinical Trial)
• Actual Enrollment: 245 participants
• Allocation: Randomized
• Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Official Title: Escitalopram and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Major Depressive Disorder: a Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Randomized, Non-inferiority Trial
• Study Start Date: October 2013
• Actual Primary Completion Date: July 2016
• Actual Study Completion Date: November 2016

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/treatment
Experimental: Active tDCS / placebo pill; transcranial direct current stimulation, using the parameters specified in Interventions.	Device: transcranial direct current stimulation; The anode will be applied over the F3 area and the cathode over the F4 area. The current dose is 2mA, current density is 0.8 A/m2. Electrodes will be 5x5cm in size. The investigators will apply 15 daily, consecutive tDCS sessions (excluding weekends) and after that one session per week until the primary endpoint.; Other Name: tDCS - Soterix Medical Device for Clinical Trials
Active Comparator: Sham tDCS / escitalopram; Escitalopram oxalate (Reconter), 10mg/day (first 3 weeks) and 20mg/day (week 3 to week 10).	Drug: Escitalopram oxalate; The investigators will use 10mg and 20mg pills. The investigators will up-titrate escitalopram from 10 to 20mg/day according to the patient tolerability. The maximum dose (20mg/day) is sought to be achieved at week 3.; Other Name: Reconter
Placebo Comparator: Sham tDCS / placebo pill; For sham tDCS, the device is automatically turned off after 30 second of stimulation and remains turned off during the 30-min session. For placebo pill, the pill has the same size, taste and color than escitalopram, and placebo and escitalopram will be provided in identical bottles, differing only according to a random-generated number placed in the label.	Other: Sham tDCS + Placebo Pill; This group receives sham tDCS and placebo pill.

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures :

1. Changes in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, 17 items (HAMD17) [ Time Frame: Weeks 0 and 10 ]
   Continuous measure (score changes). Non-inferiority assessment: the difference between tDCS to escitalopram should be >50% of escitalopram to placebo efficacy.

Secondary Outcome Measures :

1. Change in HDRS [ Time Frame: Weeks 0, 3, 6, 8, 10 ]
   Continuous measure (score changes).
2. Change in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) [ Time Frame: Weeks 0, 3, 6, 10 ]
   Continuous measure (score changes).
3. Change in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) [ Time Frame: Weeks 0, 3, 6, 10 ]
4. Change in Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) [ Time Frame: Weeks 0, 3, 6, 10 ]
5. Change in State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) [ Time Frame: Weeks 0, 3, 6, 10 ]
6. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, 17 items (HAMD17) [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
   Response (≥50% improvement from week 0 to 10)
7. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, 17 items (HAMD17) [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
   Remission (HAMD17 ≤7) at week 10.
8. Adverse events [ Time Frame: Week 3 and Week 10. ]
   Assessment and comparisons of tDCS and drug adverse events. We used a tDCS adverse events questionnaire (Brunoni et al., 2011) and the SAFTEE.
9. Serious adverse events [ Time Frame: Up to Week 10. ]
   Serious adverse events include treatment-emergent hypomania/mania (YMRS>8), suicide, psychiatric hospitalization and others life-threatening or incapacitant events.
10. Young Manic Rating Scale (YMRS) [ Time Frame: Week 3 and Week 10. ]
    Assessment of treatment-emergent hypomania/mania, defined as YRMS>8.
11. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Age (years)
12. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Gender
13. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Low wage (less than 5 monthly wages in Brazil)
14. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Recurrent depression
15. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Chronic depression
16. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Refractory depression
17. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Severe depression
18. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Benzodiazepine use
19. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Higher education (>15 years of schooling)
20. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Age of onset of the depressive episode (years)
21. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Any anxiety disorder
22. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Physical activity
23. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    melancholic depression
24. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    atypical depression
25. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    smoking status
26. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    hypertension
27. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    diabetes mellitus
28. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    ethnicity
29. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    marital status
30. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    employment status
31. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    obesity
32. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    familial psychiatry history
33. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Temperament and Character Inventory - Novelty seeking
34. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Any tDCS related adverse event.
35. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Temperament and Character Inventory - Harm avoidance
36. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Temperament and Character Inventory - Reward Dependence
37. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Temperament and Character Inventory - Persistence
38. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Temperament and Character Inventory - Cooperativeness
39. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Temperament and Character Inventory - Self-transcendence
40. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Temperament and Character Inventory - Self-directedness
41. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    FAS verbal fluency test
42. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Digit span forward
43. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Digit span backward
44. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Trail Making Test - A
45. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Trail Making Test - B
46. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Symbol digit
47. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 10 ]
    Montreal Cognitive Assessment
48. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 3 and 10 ]
    Motor Cortical Excitability - Cortical silent period (left and right hemispheres)
49. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 3 and 10 ]
    Motor Cortical Excitability - Intracortical inhibition (left and right hemispheres)
50. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 3 and 10 ]
    Motor Cortical Excitability - Intracortical facilitation (left and right hemispheres)
51. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 3 and 10 ]
    Heart rate variability - HF
52. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 3 and 10 ]
    Heart rate variability - LF
53. Predictor of response [ Time Frame: Week 3 and 10 ]
    Heart rate variability - RMSSD

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years to 75 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Sexes Eligible for Study: All
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• HAMD17>=17
• more than 8 years of schooling OR able to read, speak and understand the Portuguese language.
• Low suicide risk.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Bipolar disorders.
• Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
• Anxiety disorders, if it is the primary diagnosis (comorbidity with depression is not an exclusion disorder)
• Substance abuse or dependence.
• Depression symptoms better explained by medical conditions.
• Neurologic conditions (e.g., stroke, multiple sclerosis, brain tumor).
• Severe medical conditions.
• Pregnancy/breast-feeding.
• Severe suicidal ideation, suicidal planning or recent (<4 weeks) suicide attempt.
• Contra-indications to escitalopram.
• Current use of escitalopram in the current depressive episode.
• Use of escitalopram in a prior depressive episode that was not effective.
• Contra-indications to tDCS.
• Previous use of tDCS (current or previous depressive episode).

Contacts and Locations

Locations

Brazil

Institute of Psychiatry, HC-FMUSP

São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Hospital Universitário, Universidade de São Paulo

São Paulo, Brazil, 05508-000

Sponsors and Collaborators

University of Sao Paulo

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

Investigators

• Principal Investigator: Andre R Brunoni, MD, PhD; University of Sao Paulo

More Information

Additional Information:

Trial information for participants and investigators. 

Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):

Goerigk SA, Padberg F, Chekroud A, Kambeitz J, Bühner M, Brunoni AR. Parsing the antidepressant effects of non-invasive brain stimulation and pharmacotherapy: A symptom clustering approach on ELECT-TDCS. Brain Stimul. 2021 Jul-Aug;14(4):906-912. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.05.008. Epub 2021 May 26.

Bulubas L, Padberg F, Bueno PV, Duran F, Busatto G, Amaro E Jr, Benseñor IM, Lotufo PA, Goerigk S, Gattaz W, Keeser D, Brunoni AR. Antidepressant effects of tDCS are associated with prefrontal gray matter volumes at baseline: Evidence from the ELECT-TDCS trial. Brain Stimul. 2019 Sep - Oct;12(5):1197-1204. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2019.05.006. Epub 2019 May 8.

Brunoni AR, Moffa AH, Sampaio-Junior B, Borrione L, Moreno ML, Fernandes RA, Veronezi BP, Nogueira BS, Aparicio LVM, Razza LB, Chamorro R, Tort LC, Fraguas R, Lotufo PA, Gattaz WF, Fregni F, Benseñor IM; ELECT-TDCS Investigators. Trial of Electrical Direct-Current Therapy versus Escitalopram for Depression. N Engl J Med. 2017 Jun 29;376(26):2523-2533. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1612999.

Brunoni AR, Sampaio-Junior B, Moffa AH, Borrione L, Nogueira BS, Aparício LV, Veronezi B, Moreno M, Fernandes RA, Tavares D, Bueno PV, Seibt O, Bikson M, Fraguas R, Benseñor IM. The Escitalopram versus Electric Current Therapy for Treating Depression Clinical Study (ELECT-TDCS): rationale and study design of a non-inferiority, triple-arm, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Sao Paulo Med J. 2015 May-Jun;133(3):252-63. doi: 10.1590/1516-3180.2014.00351712. Epub 2015 Jun 1.

• Responsible Party: Andre Brunoni, MD, PhD, University of Sao Paulo
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01894815
• Other Study ID Numbers: ELECT-TDCS; FAPESP 2012/20911-5 ( Other Grant/Funding Number: FAPESP 2012/20911-5 )
• First Posted: July 10, 2013
• Last Update Posted: December 5, 2016
• Last Verified: December 2016

Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:

• Plan to Share IPD: No

Keywords provided by Andre Brunoni, University of Sao Paulo:

major depressive disorder; major depression; depressive disorder; major depressive episode

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Disease; Depressive Disorder; Depression; Depressive Disorder, Major; Pathologic Processes; Mood Disorders; Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Dexetimide; Citalopram; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors; Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors; Membrane Transport Modulators; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Neurotransmitter Agents; Serotonin Agents; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; Antidepressive Agents; Psychotropic Drugs; Antiparkinson Agents; Anti-Dyskinesia Agents; Parasympatholytics; Autonomic Agents; Peripheral Nervous System Agents; Muscarinic Antagonists; Cholinergic Antagonists; Cholinergic Agents