Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 5, 2026
Conventional Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression: A Step-by-Step Protocol
Published on: November 21, 2025
The VA augmentation and switching treatments for improving depression outcomes (VAST-D) study: Rationale and design
Somaia Mohamed1, Gary R Johnson2, Julia E Vertrees3
1VA VISN 1 New England Mental Illness Research,Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Health Administration, West Haven, CT and Yale University School of Medicine, 950 Campbell Ave., West Haven, CT 06516, USA.
Abstract:
Because two-thirds of patients with Major Depressive Disorder do not achieve remission with their first antidepressant, we designed a trial of three "next-step" strategies: switching to another antidepressant (bupropion-SR) or augmenting the current antidepressant with either another antidepressant (bupropion-SR) or with an atypical antipsychotic (aripiprazole). The study will compare 12-week remission rates and, among those who have at least a partial response, relapse rates for up to 6 months of additional treatment. We review seven key efficacy/effectiveness design decisions in this mixed "efficacy-effectiveness" trial.
