Christopher Wall, M.D.

Fellow in Child & Adolescent Depression

Project Details

PROJECT TITLE

An Open-Label Eight-Week Trial of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Depressed Adolescents: Mechanisms of Response

PROJECT SUMMARY

This research proposal aims to better understand the neurobiology of depression in adolescents and how repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may therapeutically impact brain function and mood. This research will be the first study analyzing the magnetic resonance spectroscopy pattern of rTMS response in depressed adolescents. The approach will also optimize individualized rTMS treatment by using an efficient and theoretically more accurate coil placement technique known as the Beam F3 positioning algorithm. This will lead to better understanding the mechanism as to how rTMS treats depression and will allow clinicians to have greater ability to individualize treatment for depression and potentially decrease the number of ineffective treatments and/or risk for serious side effects.

Read Researcher’s Biography