NOTE: WE DO NOT ENDORSE OR RECOMMEND ANY RESEARCH STUDY – PLEASE TAKE CARE. THIS WAS SENT TO THE DORSET COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH ALLIANCE OF WHICH WE ARE A MEMBER.
“My name is Ali Noori, I am a PhD student working with Professor Cynthia Fu at the University of East London. We would like to invite participants with bipolar depression to take part in a novel treatment study. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a potential novel treatment for bipolar depression. Participants would have the tDCS sessions at home with real-time supervision by video call with the study team.
Inclusion criteria:
- 18 years of age or above
- bipolar disorder diagnosis based on DSM-5, confirmed by MINI
- current depressive episode of at least a moderate severity, MADRS >=18
- on a stable dosage of mood stabilising medication for a minimum of two weeks or not taking any medications for a minimum of two weeks
Exclusion criteria:
- any concurrent psychiatric disorder
- having a significant risk of suicide
- having a Young Mania Rating Scale score > 8
- history of a seizure which resulted in a loss of consciousness
- any neurological disorder
- any exclusion criteria for tDCS, including having a scalp or skin condition (e.g. psoriasis or eczema), If contact with the scalp is not possible, having metallic implants, including intracranial electrodes, surgical clips, shrapnel or a pacemaker.
If you have any queries or you would like to know more about the study, I am happy to discuss details over video conference or by telephone. Thank you for your consideration!
Ali Noori
Study email
PI: Professor Cynthia Fu
