Healthy
Conditions
Brief summary
This is a study to investigate if a device that temporarily changes brain activity (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, rTMS) might be used to change how healthy participants make decisions. This study involves 2 visits to MUSC that will each take between 2-3 hours. This study is not a treatment study, but it could help inform studies investigating treatment in the future. Participants in this study will be compensated for their time.
Detailed description
This study aims to investigate whether a single session of excitatory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) compared to electrical sham stimulation to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) facilitates rational decision making. Our prior data suggests that decisions are biased depending on if the available options are presented with a negative or positive connotation (even in the case of mathematical equivalence). Work by us and others has demonstrated that even if both options are equal, the negatively framed choice is most often avoided.
Interventions
DEVICEReal TBS to mPFC
This will be delivered with the Magventure MagPro System; (double blinded using the integrated active sham system).
DEVICESham TBS to mPFC
This will be delivered with the Magventure MagPro System; (double blinded using the integrated active sham system). The Magventure MagPro system has an integrated active sham that passes current through two surface electrodes placed on the scalp. The electrodes are placed on the left frontalis muscle under the coil for both the real and sham stimulation sessions.
Sponsors
Medical University of South Carolina
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Masking description
This study is double blinded. Both the investigators and the participants will be blinded as to which method of stimulation they receive first.
Intervention model description
Participants will be randomly assigned to receive active or sham stimulation either first or second. All participants will receive active and sham during the study, only the order will be randomized.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Is able to read consent document and provide informed consent * English is first or primary language
Exclusion criteria
* • Current psychiatric disorder (as defined by DSM-5 and determined using standardized self-report instruments) * Suicide attempt in the past year * Lifetime diagnosis of psychotic disorder or bipolar mania * Presence of neurological disorder that contraindicates TMS or neurophysiological recording: * Seizure disorder * Lifetime history of traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness * Neurodegenerative disorder (e.g., Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Frontotemporal Dementia) * Presence of standard contraindications for rTMS * Currently pregnant * Significant sensitivity to noise * Medical treatments or conditions that lower seizure threshold * History of severe brain injury * History of seizures/epilepsy * Currently taking chronic opiate medications or substances * Inability or unwillingness of subject to give informed consent
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Baratt Impulsiveness Scale | Change assessed at visit 1 (day 1) and visit 2 (day 2) | Change in 30-item self-report scale that is commonly used to measure impulsiveness. Participants respond to each item using a 4-point Likert scale: 1 (rarely/never), 2 (occasionally), 3 (often), and 4 (almost always/always). |
Outcome results
None listed