Effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Social Cognition, Cognitive Processing, and Functional Brain Architecture in Psychopathy
University of Colorado, Denver
Summary
This clinical trial will examine whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a noninvasive form of brain stimulation, can influence social cognition, cognitive processing, and brain function in adults with elevated psychopathic traits. The study will also evaluate the safety and feasibility of delivering TMS in this population. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either active TMS or sham (placebo-like) TMS. The study will compare outcomes between participants receiving active versus sham TMS and will evaluate changes from before to after TMS exposure. Participants will: * Complete a baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan. * Receive three single-session TMS interventions. * Complete a post-intervention MRI brain scan. * Complete assessments of social cognition. * Complete assessments of cognitive processing. The primary objectives are to determine whether TMS can influence social cognition, cognitive processing, and functional brain organization and connectivity in adults with elevated psychopathic traits.
Description
Psychopathic traits are associated with impairments in social cognition, cognitive processing, and alterations in functional brain network organization. Neuroimaging studies have implicated abnormalities in brain regions involved in cognitive control and social information processing, including the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and right temporoparietal junction (TPJ). Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive neuromodulation technique capable of altering neural activity within targeted brain networks and provides an experimental method for examining the causal co…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * 18-60 years. * Elevated psychopathy as defined by the self-report psychopathy scale. * IQ \>= 80. * No prior diagnosis or current risk of Autism as defined by the autism spectrum quotient. * Negative urine drug screen. * At least 7 Days of abstinence from substance use (excluding nicotine) * Able to provide informed consent. * No change in psychiatric medication regimen, or medication-free, for 4 weeks before study. * Adequate English proficiency to complete study procedures and assessments. Exclusion Criteria: * Current or lifetime DSM-5 psychotic disorder, schizophre…
Interventions
- Devicecontinuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS)
Continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) will be delivered using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) targeting the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). cTBS is a patterned form of repetitive TMS designed to modulate neural activity within targeted brain networks involved in cognitive control and social cognition. Stimulation targets will be individualized using participant-specific neuroimaging data.
- DeviceIntermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS)
Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) will be delivered using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) targeting the right temporoparietal junction (TPJ). iTBS is a patterned form of repetitive TMS designed to modulate neural activity within targeted brain networks involved in social cognition and perspective taking. Stimulation targets will be individualized using participant-specific neuroimaging data
- DeviceSham
Sham transcranial magnetic stimulation will be delivered using procedures designed to mimic the sensory experience of active stimulation without producing the intended neuromodulatory effects. Stimulation targets and study procedures will mirror those used in the active intervention arms.
Location
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAurora, Colorado