Brain Stimulation Studies of Decision-making Using Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and Temporal Interference (TI)
Emory University
Summary
Decision-making is an important process that is frequently shown to be impaired in patients with depression. While a number of preclinical and clinical studies have identified key regions involved in this process, it remains unclear exactly how these regions are influencing choice behavior especially when choices become more challenging. The goal of this project is to understand how these regions, such as the cingulate cortex, impact difficult choice behavior. Specifically, the researchers are interested in learning how disruptions in cognitive control might impact choice preferences during difficult decisions in depressed patients. To do this, this study will recruit participants with depression (as well as healthy controls) to perform game-like tasks in the laboratory while undergoing TMS or TI.
Description
In recent years, countless studies have employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and other imaging modalities to both discover and track activity in brain regions involved in performance or behavior in a wide range of tasks. Running in parallel, research involving neuromodulation has afforded researchers the opportunity to test the impact of direct stimulation on areas hypothesized to be involved in certain processes or behaviors. Among such technologies are transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and temporal interference (TI). TMS and TI can be performed during any sort of cogn…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Provides written informed consent * Fluent English speaker * Absence of current drug use as assessed by subject history and/or urine drug screen Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant or currently breastfeeding women or any woman of childbearing potential who is seeking to become pregnant or suspects that she may be pregnant, as assessed by subject report and/or urine pregnancy screen * Contraindications to fMRI scanning (including presence of a cardiac pacemaker or pacemaker wires, metallic particles in the body, vascular clips in the head or previous neurosurgery, prosthetic…
Interventions
- DeviceNeurostimulation
Participants will be seated comfortably in a chair and asked to complete simple computer tasks. Participants will receive neurostimulation in the form of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) or Temporal Interference (TI). TMS: Either during, or just before any of the tasks, participants will receive either repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or single pulse TMS. During this, the researchers place a small plastic coil next to the participant's head. The coil will then generate a magnetic pulse, and stimulation will occur during presentation of the visual stimuli on which subjects will conduct behavioral or cognitive tasks. TI: Either during, or just before, any of the above tasks, participants will receive stimulation with TI. To do so, commercially available gel-based electrodes will be placed on the scalp to target the relevant brain region. The position targeted by the electrodes will be guided by previously defined coordinates.
Location
- Emory UniversityAtlanta, Georgia