Case report: Twice-daily 15mA transcranial alternating current stimulation for adolescent major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Adolescent major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation (MDD-SI) poses significant treatment challenges and carries substantial mortality risk, while existing interventions often demonstrate limited acute efficacy for suicidal ideation (SI).

Methods

This two-week prospective case series investigated the feasibility and preliminary therapeutic effects of high-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) administered twice daily. Seven adolescents with MDD-SI underwent 40-minute tACS sessions (77.5 Hz, 15 mA) twice-daily over a two weeks for a total of 20 sessions, in conjunction with stable pharmacotherapy.

Results

The accelerated tACS protocol was well-tolerated with no adverse events. It demonstrated significant reductions in both depr

SUBMITTER: Cheng DD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12502979 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature