Healthy
Conditions
Brief summary
This study is investigating brain regions that share functional connectivity with the hypothalamus and the stimulation of those regions using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to activate the hypothalamus indirectly. The goal of this study is to determine the effectiveness of rTMS in influencing the hypothalamus to better understand the mechanisms between it and the neuroendocrine processes it controls.
Interventions
DEVICERepetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Participants will receive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to determine if stimulating areas with activating functional connectivity will activate the hypothalamus and in turn, have a measurable effect on hormone levels.
Sponsors
Stanford University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
21 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Age: 21-55 * Gender: Females and Males * Weight: Less than 280 pounds * Mobile * Normal vision with corrective lenses if necessary * Fluent in English (written and spoken)
Exclusion criteria
* History of epilepsy/seizures (including history of withdrawal/provoked seizures) * Metal implant in brains (e.g. deep stimulation), cardiac pacemaker, or cochlear implants * Shrapnel or any ferromagnetic item in the head * Showing symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol or benzodiazepines * Current severe insomnia (must sleep a minimum of 4 hours the night before stimulation) * Migraine or significant headaches * Shoulder or neck stiffness * Over 280 pounds * In-dwelling ferrous metals * Left handed * Abnormal hearing * Abnormal vision that cannot be corrected with lenses * Claustrophobia * Illicit drug use * Psychotropic medication use * Marijuana and/or nicotine use * Psychiatric or neurological conditions * Endocrine conditions * History of head trauma with loss of consciousness
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma cortisol levels via LC-MS | 3 hours | Measure levels of the cortisol hormone in blood plasma through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) resulting from hypothalamus and neuroendocrine activation |
| Plasma LH levels via LC-MS | 3 hours | Measure levels of the luteinizing hormone (LH) in blood plasma through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) resulting from hypothalamus and neuroendocrine activation |
| Plasma ACTH levels via LC-MS | 3 hours | Measure levels of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in blood plasma through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) resulting from hypothalamus and neuroendocrine activation |
| Plasma GnRH levels resulting from hypothalamus activation via LC-MS | 3 hours | Measure levels of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in blood plasma through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) resulting from hypothalamus and neuroendocrine activation |
| Plasma vasopressin levels via LC-MS | 3 hours | Measure levels of the vasopressin hormone in blood plasma through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) resulting from hypothalamus and neuroendocrine activation |
| Plasma oxytocin levels via LC-MS | 3 hours | Measure levels of the oxytocin hormone in blood plasma through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) resulting from hypothalamus and neuroendocrine activation |
| Plasma TRH levels via LC-MS | 3 hours | Measure levels of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in blood plasma through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) resulting from hypothalamus and neuroendocrine activation |
| Plasma CRH levels via LC-MS | 3 hours | Measure levels of the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in blood plasma through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) resulting from hypothalamus and neuroendocrine activation |
| Plasma somatostatin levels via LC-MS | 3 hours | Measure levels of the somatostatin hormone, or growth hormone-inhibiting hormone (GHIH) in blood plasma through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) resulting from hypothalamus and neuroendocrine activation |
| Plasma PRLH levels via LC-MS | 3 hours | Measure levels of the prolactin-releasing hormone (PRLH) in blood plasma through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) resulting from hypothalamus and neuroendocrine activation |
| Plasma FSH levels via LC-MS | 3 hours | Measure levels of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in blood plasma through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) resulting from hypothalamus and neuroendocrine activation |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Heart rate via pulse oximeter | 3 hours | Measure heart rate (HR) with a pulse oximeter as a secondary measure of hypothalamic response |
| Blood pressure via sphygmomanometer | 3 hours | Measure systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) with a sphygmomanometer as a secondary measure of hypothalamic response |
Outcome results
None listed