Kick-Starting the Brain: Methodological Challenges of Emerging Technologies

Co-Chairs: Jill Rasmussen, MD / Dawn Velligan, PhD

Increasingly researchers are exploring the application of novel brain therapeutics to improve outcomes in psychiatric and neurological disorders.  This session will give the background to these new approaches and discuss the methodological and regulatory challenges they present.  Data from recent trials with ECT have given new insights into methodologies for dosing, type of application, frequency of administration and safety evaluation.  Somewhat similar challenges are faced in the design of trials with IV ketamine and transcranial stimulation.   The similarities and differences regarding methodological challenges and learning from each of these modalities will be compared and contrasted.