RecruitingNCT01617408

Brain Stimulation and Vision Testing

TMS Investigations of the Human Visual System


Sponsor

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Enrollment

665 participants

Start Date

Mar 4, 2013

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Conditions

Summary

Background: -The brain has two systems for recognizing objects. One system recognizes what an object is, and the other system recognizes where the object is located. However, there is much about how the brain handles and interprets the information from these two systems that is still unclear. Researchers want to study the parts of the brain that are involved in how vision is processed. They will use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) on the brain. MRI measures what parts of the brain become more active when tasks are performed. TMS uses magnetic pulses to temporarily change the activity in parts of the brain. tES uses electrical current to temporarily change brain function. Objectives: -To better understand how people visually recognize different types of objects. Eligibility: -Healthy volunteers between 18 and 50 years of age, who only speak English. Design: * This study includes many different experiments on vision. Each experiment may combine visual tasks, MRI scans, and TMS or tES. Participants may be asked to have several different tests. Each test will require a separate visit to the National Institutes of Health. * Participants will be screened with a physical exam and medical history. They will have a baseline brain scan at the first visit. * Participants may do visual tasks alone, with MRI only, with TMS or tES only, or with MRI and TMS or tES combined. For the visual tasks, they will look at pictures of objects on a computer screen. Sometimes the images will appear very briefly (less than one-tenth of a second). Sometimes they will appear for up to 5 seconds. These images will be of things like faces, bodies, tools, and scenes. Participants will be asked to respond in different ways to the pictures. They may respond by typing on a computer keyboard or by pressing a button. Participants will have time to practice the tasks before the experiment. * Participants will remain on the study for up to 3 years.


Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 50 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study uses brain stimulation (TMS) combined with brain imaging (MRI) to understand how the brain processes visual information, helping researchers map how different brain regions contribute to vision. You may be eligible if: - You are a healthy adult between 18 and 50 years of age - You are able to read and write in English - You have no medical conditions that would make MRI or TMS unsafe You may NOT be eligible if: - You have metal implants in your head or eyes, a pacemaker, an insulin pump, or an irremovable body piercing - You are pregnant - You have a history of neurological problems including epilepsy, seizures, or recurrent migraines - You take medications that lower the seizure threshold - You have significant psychiatric illness - You have a visual impairment preventing you from completing tasks - You are an NIMH staff member or family member Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Locations(1)

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

Bethesda, Maryland, United States

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NCT01617408


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