RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT05368987

Neuromodulation of the Fear Extinction Circuit Using Temporally and Anatomically Specific TMS in Humans


Sponsor

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Enrollment

250 participants

Start Date

Feb 1, 2022

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Summary

This study aims to explore the mechanisms of how transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) impacts fear circuits. The overarching objectives are to understand how varying TMS parameters affect targeted brain regions in order to optimize its impact on enhancing fear extinction memory consolidation in a population with known fear extinction deficiencies: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 250 subjects will take part in this research study across UTHealth Houston. The study will include preliminary screenings, baseline visits, and experimental visits across four days


Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 70 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is testing a brain stimulation technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to help people with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) overcome fear responses. By targeting the brain circuit involved in fear extinction, researchers hope to find new ways to treat PTSD. The study also enrolls healthy volunteers for comparison. **You may be eligible if...** - You have a current diagnosis of PTSD (for the patient group) - OR you have no current psychiatric disorders (for the healthy volunteer group) - You are willing and able to give informed consent **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You have a history of seizures, significant head injury, or neurological disease - You have metal implants in your head (other than dental work) or a pacemaker/cochlear implant - You are pregnant - You are currently using illicit substances - You have significant active suicidal thoughts or behavior - You are taking antipsychotic medications or high-dose stimulants - You are on bupropion above 300 mg/day or on an unstable dose 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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Interventions

DEVICETranscranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Research subjects will undergo non-invasive TMS, with a frequency of 20Hz and intensity of 120% of their resting motor threshold (rMT) at varying time points and locations.

BEHAVIORALFear Conditioning and Extinction Paradigm

Participants will undergo a 3-day experimental paradigm. On day 1, participants will undergo a resting-state and structural scans in the fMRI scanner. The data from this scan will be used to determine the specific location of the TMS target for each participant. And participants will be aversively conditioned to two cues in the fMRI scanner. Task based and resting-state scans will occur on this day. On day 2, subjects will undergo extinction training outside of the scanner where one of the conditioned cues will be paired with TMS in a temporally and anatomically specific manner. A resting-state scan will occur before and after inside the scanner. On day 3, conditioned cues will be presented during the extinction recall phase of the study. This phase will be conducted in the fMRI scanner. Task-based and resting-state scans will occur on this day.


Locations(1)

UTHealth Houston

Houston, Texas, United States

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NCT05368987


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