DIfferential feasibility and tolerability of deep repetitIVe transcranIal MagNEtic stimulatin for depression in older adults: A pilot study for the DIVINE Trial

Deep TMS (dTMS) is a new form of transcranial magnetic stimulation that uses modified magnetic H-coils to stimulate deeper brain regions. Specific H-coils are used to target dysfunctional brain regions implicated in specific psychiatric conditions. DTMS is FDA and Health Canada-approved for major depressive disorder (H1 coil), obsessive-compulsive disorder (H7 coil), and smoking cessation (H4 coil) in adults. No trials have examined the potential therapeutic benefit of the H4
(targeting the insula) and H7 (targeting anterior cingulate cortex) coils in older adults with depression. This pilot study will explore dTMS feasibility and tolerability (i.e., side effects, impacts on mental health and cognition) of two dTMS coils (H4 and H7) in older adults with depression. It will also investigate cognitive function and changes in brain activity as measured by neuropsychological assessment and electroencephalogram (EEG).