Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Stimulation to Enhance Cognition in Healthy Participants

NCT ID: NCT06829368

Last Updated: 2025-09-29

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

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

20 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-01-20

Study Completion Date

2025-12-31

Brief Summary

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This study examines the impact of theta-burst transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (tFUS) on cognitive performance in healthy participants, specifically focusing on both acute and post-stimulation effects on visual working memory (vWM). The investigation will compare TUS effects across targeted deep cortical and subcortical brain regions involved in cognitive processing. Neurophysiological changes following stimulation will be assessed using EEG, providing insight into tFUS-induced modulations in working memory-related brain activity.

Detailed Description

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This single-blind, crossover trial investigates the effects of theta-burst transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (tFUS) on visual working memory (vWM) in healthy participants. The study aims to evaluate cognitive enhancement by selectively targeting and comparing three brain structures associated with cognition: (1) the mediodorsal thalamus, (2) the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, and (3) the anterior insula. Additionally, the lateral ventricle serves as a sham control target.

Each participant will attend four sessions, with each session dedicated to one of the brain structures or the sham site. Sessions consist of three distinct phases: (1) a pre-stimulation phase (task completion prior to tFUS), (2) an on-stimulation phase (task completion concurrent with tFUS), and (3) a post-stimulation phase (task completion following tFUS, with EEG recording). The Object in Place task will be used to assess vWM, requiring participants to recall the colour of abstract objects based on their location or shape.

Primary outcomes focus on both immediate (acute) and delayed (post-stimulation) behavioural changes in task performance, as well as neurophysiological EEG markers indicative of working memory processes. Moreover, the investigators will monitor for immediate and longer-term side effects. Stimulation is administered in a theta-burst pattern for 5 minutes, covering a portion of the task trials during the on-stimulation phase.

This study compares tFUS effects across various deep cortical and subcortical structures, examining acute and post-stimulation cognitive changes and monitoring immediate and longer-term side effects. Findings are expected to offer new insights into the potential of tFUS-based neuromodulation as a tool for cognitive enhancement.

Conditions

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Cognitive Enhancement

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants
The lateral ventricle is designated as the sham control site, given prior evidence that tFUS targeting this region elicits no detectable effects. This choice facilitates consistent participant expectations across sessions, enabling a reliable baseline comparison. To further reduce bias, participants are blinded to the specific brain region targeted in each session and unaware of whether the stimulation is active or sham. This methodological approach aims to prevent any performance adjustment based on presumed effects of the stimulation, thereby enhancing the validity of the results.

Study Groups

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Mediodorsal Thalamus Stimulation

Theta-burst tFUS targeting the mediodorsal thalamus

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Stimulation

Intervention Type OTHER

Using MRI neuronavigation, the investigators will implement theta-burst tFUS in one of the four targets.

Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex Stimulation

Theta-burst tFUS targeting the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Stimulation

Intervention Type OTHER

Using MRI neuronavigation, the investigators will implement theta-burst tFUS in one of the four targets.

Anterior Insula Stimulation

Theta-burst tFUS targeting the anterior insula

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Stimulation

Intervention Type OTHER

Using MRI neuronavigation, the investigators will implement theta-burst tFUS in one of the four targets.

Lateral Ventricle Stimulation

Theta-burst tFUS targeting the lateral ventricle.

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Stimulation

Intervention Type OTHER

Using MRI neuronavigation, the investigators will implement theta-burst tFUS in one of the four targets.

Interventions

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Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Stimulation

Using MRI neuronavigation, the investigators will implement theta-burst tFUS in one of the four targets.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age: 18-55years
* Healthy adults with no history of neurological or psychiatric disorders
* Eligible to undergo a T1-weighted MRI scan for tFUS neuronavigational purposes
* Ability to adhere to the tFUS study schedule and complete all assessments
* Right-handed
* Fluent in English
* Abstinence from the use of any recreational drugs in the 48-hour period prior to taking part in the experiment.
* Abstinence from consuming no more than 4 alcoholic units within the 24-hour period before participation.

Exclusion Criteria

* Any current psychiatric diagnosis
* Neurodevelopmental disorders; history of central nervous system disease, concussion, or other neurological sequelae; presence of tumors, seizures, meningitis, encephalitis, or any abnormal MRI findings of the brain
* Use of any psychotropic medications within five half-lives before the procedure
* Presence of metal implants contraindicated for MRI
* History of head trauma with loss of consciousness
* Calcification in sonicated parts of the brain.
* Visual impairments that cannot be corrected with glasses
* Inability to complete cognitive testing requirements
* Active participation or plans for enrollment in other clinical trials that may impact psychosocial functioning
* History of repeated substance abuse or dependence (excluding nicotine and caffeine); use of medications such as stimulants, modafinil, thyroid medication, or steroids
* No skin disease on or close to the scalp.
* History of seizure or epilepsy; use of medications that lower seizure thresholds
* Claustrophobia or any other condition precluding MRI assessment
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

55 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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University of Nottingham

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Marcus Kaiser

Professor of Neuroinformatics

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Marcus Kaiser, Professor of Neuroinformatics

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Nottingham

Mohammad Katshu, Clinical Associate Professor

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Nottingham

Locations

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Neuromodulation Lab, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United Kingdom

Central Contacts

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Stefanos A Kontogouris, PhD Student

Role: CONTACT

+44 7826221912

Mohammad Alkhawashki, PhD Student

Role: CONTACT

+44 7840540456

Facility Contacts

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Stefanos A Kontogouris, PhD Student

Role: primary

+44 7826221912

Mohammad Alkhawashki, PhD Student

Role: backup

+44 7840540456

Other Identifiers

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F1558

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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