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RecruitingNot applicable

Decoding and Modulating Affective Brain States

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
Compensation
Mentioned in the study description

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

  • Visits mentioned: 11 visits, 2 visits
  • Time periods mentioned: 10 weeks
  • Procedures mentioned: MRI scans, Questionnaires, Interviews

Only what the study's summary and detailed description on ClinicalTrials.gov say. Time periods may describe the whole study or a part of it — ask the study team what applies to you.

Show the study's own words
  • "First, the investigators will use functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data to generate a negative affect map for each participant."
  • "Then, the investigators will apply a variety of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) sequences while the participant is inside the MRI scanner to determine the optimal and least optimal rTMS frequencies at changing negative affect brain states."
  • "The study involves 11 visits over approximately 10 weeks, depending on scanner availability and scheduling."
  • "Participants who agree to participate and sign the ICF will then complete several questionnaires."
  • "If TMS is well tolerated, the visit will proceed to a comprehensive clinical interview (\~2-3 hours) to assess current and past mental health history. * Visit 2: Baseline MRI \& Assessments (\~2 hours)."
  • "This visit will involve a 1-hour MRI scan, including both structural and functional sequences, and an assessment session with computerized tasks and questionnaires. * Visit 3: MRI Scan with TMS (\~2.5 hours)."
Compensation
Mentioned in the study description
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study tests whether personalized brain stimulation can reduce negative emotions. It uses MRI brain scans to map emotions and TMS, which uses magnetic pulses to stimulate the brain. It is for adults ages 18–65 who score 10 or higher on a depression questionnaire.

The research study is being conducted to study brain patterns of negative emotion and develop personalized brain stimulation protocols to disrupt these patterns with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). First, the investigators will use functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data to generate a negative affect map for each participant. Then, the investigators will apply a variety of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) sequences while the participant is inside the MRI scanner to determine the optimal and least optimal rTMS frequencies at changing negative affect brain states. Finally, these two frequencies will be tested over two 3-day rTMS neuromodulation sessions to assess whether they can reduce negative emotions.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • Be 18–65 years old.
  • Score 10 or higher on the PHQ-9, a questionnaire about depression symptoms.
  • Understand instructions in English.
  • Be able to agree to join after learning about the study and follow study steps.
  • Be available for the whole study.
  • Avoid substance use, including marijuana and illegal drugs, during the study.
  • Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before MRI scans.
  • Do not increase caffeine use or start any new medicines during the study.

Who can't join

  • Have bipolar disorder, based on the lead researcher's judgment, schizophrenia, or another disorder that affects your sense of reality.
  • Have recently used medicines or substances that affect mood or thinking, as judged by the study team.
  • Have a history of a brain or nerve disorder, or a brain injury that was more than mild.
  • Cannot have an MRI scan, or have a current or past health condition that could affect the scan results.
  • Cannot receive or tolerate TMS brain stimulation.
  • Have an implanted device, such as a clip on a brain blood vessel or a heart pacemaker.
  • Have a history of stroke, epilepsy (a seizure disorder), or brain scarring.
  • Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to become pregnant.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. 18-65 years old 2. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9 score) = or \> than 10 3. Comprehension of instructions in the English language. 4. Capacity to provide informed consent and follow study procedures. 5. Availability for the duration of the study. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Diagnosis of bipolar disorder (as PI discretion), schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder 2. Recent use of psychoactive medications or substances as determined by investigators 3. History of neurological disorder or traumatic brain injury (other than mild) 4. Unable to have an MRI scan, or current or prior medical condition that could interfere with the collection or interpretation of MRI data 5. Unable to receive or tolerate TMS 6. Implanted devices, such as an aneurysm clip or cardiac pacemaker 7. History of stroke, epilepsy, or brain scarring 8. Pregnant, nursing, or trying to become pregnant (self-attestation alone) During this study, participants are asked to: 1. Refrain from substance use (including marijuana and illicit drugs) for duration of the study (self-attestation alone). 2. Abstain from alcohol for 24 hours before the MRI scans (self-attestation alone). 3. Abstain from increasing caffeine intake or begin taking any new medications (self-attestation alone).

Study sites (1)

PA