rTMS Brain Stimulation and Cognition

NCT ID: NCT04244682

Last Updated: 2023-01-27

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: WITHDRAWN
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2022-10-31
• Study Completion Date: 2023-05-31

Brief Summary

This study will use repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) (a way to use a powerful magnet to cause temporary impairment to the function of a brain region) to test whether certain parts of the brain are necessary to various aspects of memory and emotion. Participation will require up to three visits. One visit will take up to an hour, and the other visits will each take up to three hours each. During the first visit, participants will be consented, and their brains will be scanned using magnetic resonance imaging.

Detailed Description

Memory and emotion are complex cognitive processes. To understand memory and emotion better, it is helpful to break them down into component processes and examine how each of these component processes is supported by brain. One way to do this is to safely and reversibly impair the function of a brain region that are believed to support some of these component processes and observe changes in behavior.

A high-resolution three-dimensional image of a participant's brain will be created using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning (about 10 minutes in the scanner). Either the same day or on a following day, participants will return and will be exposed to emotional and/or neutral stimuli. Either before or after being exposed to the stimuli, the participants will have their brain mildly stimulated using rTMS. This stimulation will be at or below the levels which the FDA has deemed safe for treatment of depression, and will temporarily reduce brain activity in the targeted area. The behavior of the participant's memory, emotional processing, or related cognitive functions will be tested by asking them questions about emotional and/or neutral stimuli. Depending on which condition the participant is part of, the researchers may then bring the participant back, and repeat this procedure on a different day stimulating another brain region.

Up to 80 participants will be identified via word of mouth, the psychology department research pool, and via flyers posted on Emory campus. Participants will give informed consent to participate and will be compensated for their time.

Conditions

Episodic Memory Retrieval

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Healthy participants receiving rTMS

Participation will require up to three visits. One visit will take up to an hour, and the other visits will each take up to three hours each. During the first visit, participants will be consented, and their brains will be scanned using magnetic resonance imaging. Participants will receive rTMS during two study visits.

Group Type: OTHER

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)

Intervention Type: DEVICE

In the rTMS procedure a small plastic coil will be placed next to the participant's head. The position of the coil will be guided by neuro-navigational software utilizing the individual's MRI scan. The coil will be placed over the relevant brain region using the Brainsight TMS-MRI co-registration system for visualizing the coil position with respect to the participant's individual MRI scan. The coil will then generate a series of repetitive magnetic pulses, and stimulation will occur, disrupting typical function of the targeted brain region.

Interventions

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)

In the rTMS procedure a small plastic coil will be placed next to the participant's head. The position of the coil will be guided by neuro-navigational software utilizing the individual's MRI scan. The coil will be placed over the relevant brain region using the Brainsight TMS-MRI co-registration system for visualizing the coil position with respect to the participant's individual MRI scan. The coil will then generate a series of repetitive magnetic pulses, and stimulation will occur, disrupting typical function of the targeted brain region.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• English speaking
• healthy

Exclusion Criteria

• personal or first-degree family history of epileptic seizure
• a known brain injury
• claustrophobia
• taking certain medications that may increase the risk of seizures (e.g., bupropion, varenicline, chlorpromazine, theophylline) or reduce the effects of rTMS, such as benzodiazepines
• current use of medication for neurological or psychiatric conditions
• internal metallic implant, device, or foreign body
• left handedness

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 55 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Stephan Hamann

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Stephan Hamann

Professor

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Stephan Hamann, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Emory University

Other Identifiers

IRB00115488

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id