Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Augmentation by D-Cycloserine as a Treatment for Depression
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2010-09-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Among antidepressant treatments, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) stands as the most effective
in treating acute depression. However, patient concerns with the cognitive side effects of
ECT have encouraged the development of new and more focal forms of brain stimulation such as
transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). The investigators' current study of tDCS as a
treatment for depression suggests that this technique has antidepressant effects and is safe,
painless and well tolerated. However, not all patients may respond to this treatment and the
concern of possible relapse in some patients who respond to tDCS has raised interest in
finding treatments that may enhance and prolong the antidepressant effects of tDCS. This
study will investigate whether D-Cycloserine, a medication shown to lengthen the effects of
tDCS on brain activity, can also enhance/prolong the antidepressant effects of tDCS in people
suffering from depression.