Suspended

Focally Electrically-administered Seizure Therapy (FEAST) for Major Depression

Study Aim

This study aims to treat major depression by inducing seizures through focal electrical administration, observing seizure characteristics through motor observation and EEG, and analyzing electrophysiological markers of the induced seizure.

What is being tested

FEAST

+ FEAST RP

Device

Who is being recruted

Mental Disorders+1

+ Depressive Disorder

+ Mood Disorders

From 22 to 90 Years

+11 Eligibility Criteria

See all eligibility criteria

How is the trial designed

Treatment Study

Interventional

Study Start: June 2022

See protocol details

Summary

Principal SponsorUniversity of Minnesota

Last updated: February 14, 2026

Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Study start date: June 1, 2022

Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.

This study aims to improve a treatment method called FEAST, used for major depression. FEAST stands for Focally Electrically-administered Seizure Therapy, a type of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The study will refine FEAST methods by testing the best direction of current flow and confirming the specific area of the brain it affects. Twenty patients experiencing major depression will participate, continuing their current medications throughout the study. The goal is to enhance the effectiveness of FEAST, potentially improving care for those with major depression. During the study, participants will receive FEAST treatments three times a week. The treatment involves a fixed-current method and patients will be monitored with a 6-channel EEG. The dose will be adjusted based on the patient's response. Participants will be randomly assigned to either typical FEAST or Reverse Polarity FEAST to compare the focality of induced seizures. The study will measure the length and intensity of the seizures, as well as the time it takes for the patient to regain orientation. These measurements will help determine the effectiveness and side effects of each type of FEAST treatment.

Official TitleEnhanced Spatial Targeting in ECT Utilizing Focally Electrically-administered Seizure Therapy (FEAST)

NCT04099342

Principal SponsorUniversity of Minnesota

Last updated: February 14, 2026

Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Protocol

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

Design Details

20 patients to be enrolled

Total number of participants that the clinical trial aims to recruit.

Treatment Study

These studies test new ways to treat a disease, condition, or health issue. The goal is to see if a new drug, therapy, or approach works better or has fewer side effects than existing options.

Eligibility

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Conditions

Criteria

Any sex

Biological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.

From 22 to 90 Years

Range of ages for which participants are eligible to join.

Healthy volunteers not allowed

If individuals who are healthy and do not have the condition being studied can participate.

Conditions

Pathology

Mental DisordersDepressive DisorderMood DisordersDepressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant

Criteria

4 inclusion criteria required to participate

Diagnosis of major depressive disorder using MINI-7 to derive RDC; DSM-IV

Pretreatment HRSD score greater than or equal to 18

ECT indicated by physician evaluation

Willing and capable of providing informed consent as determined by physician evaluation

7 exclusion criteria prevent from participating

History of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, other functional psychosis, or rapid cycling bipolar disorder as determined by MINI-7; rapid cycling defined as greater than or equal to four episodes in past year

History of neurological illness or insult other than conditions associated with psychotropic exposure (e.g., tardive dyskinesia) determined by physician evaluation and medical history

Alcohol or substance abuse or dependence in the past year (RDC) determined by physician evaluation

Secondary diagnosis of a delirium, dementia, or amnestic disorder (DSM-IV), pregnancy, or epilepsy determined by physician evaluation

Show More Criteria

Study Plan

Find out more about all the medication administered in this study, their detailed description and what they involve.

Treatment Groups

Study Objectives

2 intervention groups are designated in this study

This study does not include a placebo group

Treatment Groups

Group I

Experimental

Focally Electrically-administered Seizure Therapy (FEAST) is a form of Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) that combines unidirectional stimulation, control of polarity, and an asymmetrical electrode configuration.

Group II

Experimental

Focally Electrically-administered Seizure Therapy (FEAST) with Reversed Polarity (RP) utilizes the same electrode placement as FEAST but a reversed directionality of current flow.

Study Objectives

Primary Objectives

Secondary Objectives

Study Centers

These are the hospitals, clinics, or research facilities where the trial is being conducted. You can find the location closest to you and its status.

This study has 1 location

Suspended

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, United StatesOpen University of Minnesota in Google Maps

SuspendedOne Study Center