Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of the Prefrontal Cortex: Effects on Risky Decision Making and Temporal Discounting.

Status

Withdrawn

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT01098864

Enrollment

Registered

2010-04-05

Start date

2011-05-31

Completion date

2014-01-31

Last updated

2015-03-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Decision Making

Keywords

Behavior, Impulsivity, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Brief summary

The main objective of this study is to examine the effects of magnetic stimulation on the prefrontal cortex. We plan to use low frequency, repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (1 Hz rTMS) to temporarily inhibit activity in the prefrontal cortex and measure the resulting effect on two decision-making tasks. The prefrontal cortex is thought to mediate or control cognitive functions like decision-making, planning, memory, and inhibit impulsive behavior.Previous research has indicated that rTMS over the right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex will lead to preferences for riskier alternatives. Our hypothesis is that rTMS over the right DLPFC will lead to greater preference for the riskier alternative and greater temporal discounting.

Interventions

DEVICEtranscranial magnetic stimulation

low frequency (1 Hz) repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation will be delivered to the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) area for a period of 15 minutes to test for effect on executive function (e.g., decision choice and subjective value). Four sessions will be conducted per subject; 2 active stimulations,(1 left DLPFC, 1 right DLPFC) and 2 sham stimulations (1 left DLPFC, 1 right DLPFC) with a minimum of 48 hours between every stimulation. Pre and post stimulations measures of cognitive and executive function will be collected and analyzed for significant differences.

Study design

Allocation

Intervention model

SINGLE_GROUP

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 65 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Healthy participants willing to give informed consent to participate * complete the Transcranial magnetic stimulation Adult Safety Screen * have a MRI scan * wear ear plugs during rTMS * receive rTMS over the designated course of days * complete cognitive assessments and decision making tasks. * return for post-testing on all tasks after completing all rTMS sessions

Exclusion criteria

* Diagnosed neurological and/or psychiatric disorders requiring hospitalization or medication * pregnancy or the possibility of pregnancy at the time of consent * a history of tinnitus * metal implants in head or neck or a pacemaker * poorly-controlled migraines * a history of head injury, stroke, previous brain neurosurgery, or loss of consciousness due to head injury lasting greater than 10 minutes * a personal or family history of epilepsy or seizures

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
The k metric of a hyperbolic function for delayed discounting	12-18 weeks

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026