Using TMS to Understand Neural Processes of Social Motivation

NCT ID: NCT06274112

Last Updated: 2025-01-28

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 40 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-12-01
• Study Completion Date: 2029-09-30

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to use transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to better understand the neural circuits associated with social motivation.

Participant includes four study visits each that range from 1.5 - 3.0 hours in duration over approximately a one month period. The first study visit involves answering survey questions, a clinical interview, and computer tasks. The second study visit involves a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, computer tasks, and a brief TMS protocol. The second and third study visits involve a full session of TMS followed by an MRI scan and computer tasks.

Adults in the Auburn/Apelika area who avoid social situations, experience symptoms of depression or social anxiety, and are between 25 years old and 50 years old are eligible to participate.

Conditions

Social Avoidant Behavior; Major Depressive Disorder; Social Anxiety Disorder

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

TMS A

Active continuous thetaburst stimulation administered over right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for 40 seconds (600 pulses total)

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

TMS

Intervention Type: DEVICE

TMS will be administered using a Cool B-65 coil to a personalized right dlPFC region.

TMS B

Sham continuous thetaburst stimulation administered over right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for 40 seconds (600 pulses total)

Group Type: SHAM_COMPARATOR

TMS

Intervention Type: DEVICE

TMS will be administered using a Cool B-65 coil to a personalized right dlPFC region.

Interventions

TMS

TMS will be administered using a Cool B-65 coil to a personalized right dlPFC region.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• A diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder OR a diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder (assessed/confirmed at screening visit).
• Scoring above clinical threshold on a measure of social avoidant behavior (assessed/confirmed at screening visit).

Exclusion Criteria

• Unstable medication regimen (i.e., changes in medication or dosage in past 3 months).
• Current or lifetime diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder.
• A diagnosis of substance use disorder within past 12 months.
• A diagnosis of psychotic-spectrum disorder such as Schizophrenia.
• Pregnancy or probable pregnancy.
• Medical illness or medical treatment that would preclude or inhibit study participation.
• Neurological disorder or prior neurosurgical procedure.
• History of seizures or head trauma.
• Metal implants or objects within body (e.g., pacemaker).

• Minimum Eligible Age: 25 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 50 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Auburn University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Travis Evans

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Other Identifiers

1K23MH135222

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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