Comparison of Measures of Plasticity

NCT ID: NCT01317303

Last Updated: 2013-11-04

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

16 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2011-03-31

Study Completion Date

2012-11-30

Brief Summary

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Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of the nerve cells to modify their structure or function in response to injury or insult, or other environmental stimuli, with these changes outlasting the period of exposure. Plasticity may be observed as short term or long term changes. In humans, neuroplasticity can be readily assessed in the motor cortex, as excitability changes are demonstrated in the degree to which peripheral muscles are activated, seen through changes in motor-evoked potentials (MEPs). In this study, a number of approaches to assessing neuroplasticity will be evaluated: Paired-associative stimulation (PAS), Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS), which is a form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and protocols that combine these two. In addition, participants will complete a computerised 'rotor pursuit task' designed to provide a measure of motor learning.

The investigators aim to find the most efficacious (defined by greatest number of responders and effect size as seen in an increase in MEP amplitude) brain stimulation protocol. The investigators will expose the same participants to four excitatory conditioning stimulation paradigms, with each session separated by at least a week.

Our hypotheses include:

The four conditioning stimulation protocols should increase motor cortical excitability, the investigators therefore expect there to be a significant increase in participant MEPs, with a positive correlation in the increase ofMEP amplitude of the protocols. The investigators do however expect that due to the principles of homeostatic metaplasticity, that the protocols preceded by cTBS will show greater MEP change, due to the lowering of the threshold for LTP plasticity induction. In addition, the investigators expect that an increase in the motor learning manifest by the rotor pursuit task and for there to be a correlation in participants between the increase in MEP amplitude and the improvement in time on target (TOT) shown in the motor learning task (MLT).

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Depression Healthy

Keywords

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paired associative stimulation theta burst stimulation transcranial magnetic stimulation neuroplasticity healthy controls

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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PAS25

PAS25 refers to the intervention 'paired-associative stimulation' with peripheral ulnar nerve stimulation followed by TMS to the motor cortex 25 ms after.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

PAS25

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

PAS25 refers to the intervention 'paired-associative stimulation' with peripheral ulnar nerve stimulation followed by TMS to the motor cortex 25 ms after.

cTBS-PAS

40 seconds of continuous Theta-burst stimulation, followed by PAS25 which refers to the intervention 'paired-associative stimulation' with peripheral ulnar nerve stimulation followed by TMS to the motor cortex 25 ms after.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

cTBS-PAS25

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

40 seconds of continuous Theta-burst stimulation, followed by PAS25 which refers to the intervention 'paired-associative stimulation' with peripheral ulnar nerve stimulation followed by TMS to the motor cortex 25 ms after

iTBS

190 seconds of intermittent theta-burst stimulation

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

iTBS

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

190 seconds of intermittent theta-burst stimulation

cTBS-iTBS

40 seconds of continuous Theta-burst stimulation, followed by 190 seconds of intermittent Theta-burst stimulation

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

cTBS-iTBS

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

40 seconds of continuous Theta-burst stimulation, followed by 190 seconds of intermittent Theta-burst stimulation

Interventions

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cTBS-PAS25

40 seconds of continuous Theta-burst stimulation, followed by PAS25 which refers to the intervention 'paired-associative stimulation' with peripheral ulnar nerve stimulation followed by TMS to the motor cortex 25 ms after

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

cTBS-iTBS

40 seconds of continuous Theta-burst stimulation, followed by 190 seconds of intermittent Theta-burst stimulation

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

PAS25

PAS25 refers to the intervention 'paired-associative stimulation' with peripheral ulnar nerve stimulation followed by TMS to the motor cortex 25 ms after.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

iTBS

190 seconds of intermittent theta-burst stimulation

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Other Intervention Names

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Magstim, Digitimer Magstim Digitimer Magstim

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* healthy controls
* those suffering depression
* aged

Exclusion Criteria

1. Significant Neurological illness, including epilepsy
2. Alcohol use above NHRMC guidelines
3. Illicit drug use
4. Electronic implant; such as cochlear implant or pacemaker
5. Musculoskeletal disorder
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

75 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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The University of New South Wales

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Colleen Loo

Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Site Status

Countries

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Australia

Related Links

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http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au

Black Dog Institute website

Other Identifiers

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UNSW10106

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id