None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Repetitive TMS protocols are emerging as promising therapeutic tools for the treatment of a number of psychiatric and neurological conditions. The clinical efficacy of these protocols is likely due in part to their ability to promote lasting neuroplastic changes within the brain. rTMS and TBS are two commonly used protocols which have shown some success in transiently altering cortical excitability and treating a number of brain-related disorders. To date, however, the comparative effectiveness of these two techniques remains to be thoroughly investigated. This study will apply rTMS, TBS and sham stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in normal healthy participants. Behavioural (n-back task) and neurophysiological (TMS-EEG, EEG oscillations) data will be collected both before and after stimulation, which will provide insight into the effects that each of these stimulation protocols has on both cognitive function and underlying cortical neurophysiology. We anticipate that, compared to sham stimulation, both rTMS and TBS will significantly improve n-back task performance and induce lasting changes in brain activity as measured with combined TMS-EEG and EEG. In addition, we anticipate that these effects will be the strongest following the TBS protocol.
Interventions
Both repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and theta burst stimulation (TBS) are non-invasive brain stimulation techniques which, when applied over the scalp, may be used to alter the excitability of underlying neural tissue.
This study employs a randomised, crossover design where participants take part in three separate treatment sessions at least 72 hours apart. Each session involves administration of either active TMS (rTMS or TBS) or sham TMS. Specifically, rTMS will involve
Both repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and theta burst stimulation (TBS) are non-invasive brain stimulation techniques which, when applied over the scalp, may be used to alter the excitability of underlying neural tissue. This study employs a randomised, crossover design where participants take part in three separate treatment sessions at least 72 hours apart. Each session involves administration of either active TMS (rTMS or TBS) or sham TMS. Specifically, rTMS will involve the application of TMS pulses delivered over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) at a rate of 10 Hz at 120% of resting motor threshold (RMT). A total of 60 five-second stimulation trains will be delivered, each with a 15 second inter-stimulus interval (total 3000 pulses). TBS will be delivered over the left DLPFC at 80% of RMT. Two-second stimulation trains will be repeated every 10 seconds for a total of 190 seconds. Within each train, 3 pulses will be delivered at 50 Hz every 200 milliseconds (total of 600 pulses).
Sponsors
Monash Univeristy
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Crossover
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
1) Right-handed adults who have the capacity to provide informed consent. 2) Have no personal history of psychiatric or neurological illness.
Exclusion criteria
1) Anyone suffering from an unstable medical condition, neurological or psychiatric disorder or any history of a seizure disorder or who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding. 2) Anyone with any metallic implants in the head, a pacemaker, cochlear implant medication pump or other electronic device. 3) Anyone currently taking any psychoactive medications. 4) Professional drivers are not able to participate due to the, albeit relatively low, risk of seizure as this could affect their employment.
Outcome results
None listed