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Non-invasive Neuromodulation in Healthy SubjectsNCT02677740

Mechanisms of Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Interventions: Influence on Human Neurochemistry and Functional Connectivity

A study testing Inhibitory rTMS (1 Hz) and Excitatory rTMS (5 Hz) in people with Non-invasive Neuromodulation in Healthy Subjects, run by University of Minnesota at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The aim of this project is to increase our understanding of how two different protocols of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), inhibitory (1 Hz) and excitatory (5 Hz), applied over the primary motor cortex of the presumed dominant hemisphere, affect functional connectivity and neurochemistry in the… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 21 to 40 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
Inhibitory rTMS (1 Hz) and Excitatory rTMS (5 Hz)
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
8 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
29 Aug 2016to 19 Mar 2017
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 21 to 40 years
  • Men only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Those volunteers who are evaluated as normal and not met exclusion criteria will be potential candidates for this study.

Who cannot join

  • The following participants will be excluded from this study, including but not limited to:
  • Females
  • Left handed males
  • Participants who never underwent MRI at 7 Tesla
  • Participants with:
  • any type of bio-implant activated by mechanical, electronic, or magnetic means (e.g. cochlear implants, pacemakers, neurostimulators, bio stimulators, electronic infusion pumps.)
Show all 22Show fewer
  • any type of ferromagnetic bio-implant that could potentially be displaced or damaged, such as aneurysm clips, metallic skull plates, etc.
  • non-removable piercing or permanent eyeliner
  • retained metal in their body, either from a medical procedure or an injury
  • Participants who:
  • have been diagnosed by a physician as having a psychiatric disorder, substance abuse, neurological and/or cardiovascular disease
  • have cardiac or known circulatory impairment, and/or the inability to perspire (poor thermoregulatory function)
  • have hyper- or hypotension or arrhythmias
  • have known conditions which can lead to emergency medical care
  • had a head injury that caused them to lose consciousness for more than 30 minutes or have amnesia for more than 24 hours
  • had a brain tumor or stroke
  • had one or more seizures, or been given a diagnosis of epilepsy
  • have a history of sleep apnea or head trauma that may have caused Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
  • have a history of anxiety, syncope, panic attacks and/or claustrophobia
  • cannot adhere to the experimental protocol for any reason
  • started taking chemotherapy or immunomodulatory agents, or had any radiation treatment that could affect the brain
  • are currently on any medication

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Dept. of Radiology, University of Minnesota

    Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455

Other trials in United States

About this study

The aim of this project is to increase our understanding of how two different protocols of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), inhibitory (1 Hz) and excitatory (5 Hz), applied over the primary motor cortex of the presumed dominant hemisphere, affect functional connectivity and neurochemistry in the brain.

Read the detailed description

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation method which is effective for treating both psychiatric and non-psychiatric disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, pain syndromes and for improving motor function in neurodegenerative diseases or following stroke. rTMS uses series of brief pulses of magnetic field applied to the surface of the head for a period of time (e.g. 20 minutes). The effects of rTMS are transient, and critically dependent upon the location, frequency and intensity of stimulation. Several studies have provided evidence that rTMS can influence the excitability and function of neurons (neuromodulation) for up to one hour, both near to, and distant from, the site of stimulation. However it is still unclear how these transient local and distant changes in function induced by specific rTMS protocols are mediated. In this project we will combine expertise in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) and rTMS neuromodulation to develop and test protocols for examining the changes produced by non-invasive brain stimulation on healthy subjects. rTMS will be applied outside the scanner using standard TMS coils and MRI/S at 7 Tesla will be acquired before and immediately after rTMS. Our aim is to increase the understanding of how the two different rTMS protocols, inhibitory (1 Hz) and excitatory (5 Hz), applied over the primary motor cortex of the presumed dominant hemisphere, affect functional connectivity and neurochemistry in the brain.

Being tested
Inhibitory rTMS (1 Hz), Excitatory rTMS (5 Hz)
Keywords
MRI, MRS, rTMS

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Inhibitory rTMS (1 Hz)Device

    Participants receive rTMS at a rate of 1 Hz, applied with a 70-mm figure-eight TMS coil connected to a stimulator, over the motor cortex hotspot contralateral to the dominant arm for 20 minutes at an intensity of 90% resting motor threshold (RMT) for a total of 600 TMS pulses. The total number of stimuli applied is well within the published safety guidelines for use of rTMS. rTMS is applied outside the scanner, whereas functional connectivity and neurochemistry are measured with MRI and MRS, respectively, at 7 Tesla. The MRI/MRS data are collected right before and immediately after the inhibitory rTMS intervention.

  • Excitatory rTMS (5 Hz)Device

    Participants receive rTMS at a rate of 5 Hz, applied with a 70-mm figure-eight TMS coil connected to a stimulator, over the motor cortex hotspot contralateral to the dominant arm for 20 minutes at an intensity of 90% RMT for a total of 600 TMS pulses. The total number of stimuli applied is well within the published safety guidelines for use of rTMS. rTMS is applied outside the scanner, whereas functional connectivity and neurochemistry are measured with MRI and MRS, respectively, at 7 Tesla. The MRI/MRS data are collected right before and immediately after the excitatory rTMS intervention.

Study groups in NCT02677740
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Inhibitory rTMS (1 Hz)ExperimentalSubjects are exposed to a 20-min inhibitory rTMS intervention that transiently suppresses the excitability of cortical structures beneath the site of stimulation. Subjects undergo MRI and MRS both before and right after the rTMS intervention.
Receives: Device: Inhibitory rTMS (1 Hz)
Excitatory rTMS (5 Hz)ExperimentalSubjects are exposed to a 20-min excitatory rTMS intervention that transiently increases the net excitability of cortical structures beneath the site of stimulation. Subjects undergo MRI and MRS both before and right after the rTMS intervention.
Receives: Device: Excitatory rTMS (5 Hz)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Percent Change of GABA Concentration in a Voxel Encompassing the Left Motor Cortex, Measured at 30 Min After rTMS

    GABA concentration is quantified with MRS at 7 Tesla. Percent change of GABA concentration is calculated from baseline (i.e., pre-rTMS).

    Measured: Baseline/Pre-rTMS and 30 min after rTMS

  2. Percent Change of GABA Concentration in a Voxel Encompassing the Right Motor Cortex, Measured at 60 Min After rTMS

    GABA concentration is quantified with MRS at 7 Tesla. Percent change of GABA concentration is calculated from baseline (i.e., pre-rTMS).

    Measured: Baseline/Pre-rTMS and 60 min after rTMS

  3. Percent Change of Functional Connectivity in Left Motor Cortex, Where Functional Connectivity is Measured as a Dimensionless Fractional Amplitude of Low-frequency Fluctuations (fALFF), at 80 Min After rTMS

    Functional connectivity is measured with MRI at 7 Tesla as a dimensionless fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF). This is an index which reflects the intensity of spontaneous regional brain activity. It is calculated as the ratio of power spectra of low frequency (0.01-0.08 Hz) to that of the entire frequency range. Percent change of functional connectivity is calculated from baseline (i.e., pre-rTMS).

    Measured: Baseline/Pre-rTMS and 80 min after rTMS

  4. Percent Change of Functional Connectivity in Right Motor Cortex, Where Functional Connectivity is Measured as a Dimensionless Fractional Amplitude of Low-frequency Fluctuations (fALFF), at 80 Min After rTMS

    Functional connectivity is measured with MRI at 7 Tesla as a dimensionless fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF). This is an index which reflects the intensity of spontaneous regional brain activity. It is calculated as the ratio of power spectra of low frequency (0.01-0.08 Hz) to that of the entire frequency range. Percent change of functional connectivity is calculated from baseline (i.e., pre-rTMS).

    Measured: Baseline/Pre-rTMS and 80 min after rTMS

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted9 Feb 2016 (estimated)
  2. Study start29 Aug 2016
  3. Primary completion19 Mar 2017
  4. Study completion19 Mar 2017

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Basic science
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
8 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02677740
Sponsor's protocol ID
1601M83405
Status last verified
Nov 2019
First submitted
2 Feb 2016
Last updated
18 Nov 2019
Data monitoring committee
Yes
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Emara TH, Moustafa RR, ElNahas NM, ElGanzoury AM, Abdo TA, Mohamed SA, ElEtribi MA. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation at 1Hz and 5Hz produces sustained improvement in motor function and disability after ischaemic stroke. Eur J Neurol. 2010 Sep;17(9):1203-1209. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2010.03000.x. Epub 2010 Apr 8.

    PubMed 20402755
  • Machado S, Bittencourt J, Minc D, Portella CE, Velasques B, Cunha M, Budde H, Basile LF, Chadi G, Cagy M, Piedade R, Riberio P. Therapeutic applications of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in clinical neurorehabilitation. Funct Neurol. 2008 Jul-Sep;23(3):113-22.

    PubMed 19152730
  • Rossi S, Hallett M, Rossini PM, Pascual-Leone A; Safety of TMS Consensus Group. Safety, ethical considerations, and application guidelines for the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation in clinical practice and research. Clin Neurophysiol. 2009 Dec;120(12):2008-2039. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2009.08.016. Epub 2009 Oct 14.

    PubMed 19833552
  • Bednarik P, Tkac I, Giove F, DiNuzzo M, Deelchand DK, Emir UE, Eberly LE, Mangia S. Neurochemical and BOLD responses during neuronal activation measured in the human visual cortex at 7 Tesla. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2015 Mar 31;35(4):601-10. doi: 10.1038/jcbfm.2014.233.

    PubMed 25564236
  • Smith SM, Beckmann CF, Andersson J, Auerbach EJ, Bijsterbosch J, Douaud G, Duff E, Feinberg DA, Griffanti L, Harms MP, Kelly M, Laumann T, Miller KL, Moeller S, Petersen S, Power J, Salimi-Khorshidi G, Snyder AZ, Vu AT, Woolrich MW, Xu J, Yacoub E, Ugurbil K, Van Essen DC, Glasser MF; WU-Minn HCP Consortium. Resting-state fMRI in the Human Connectome Project. Neuroimage. 2013 Oct 15;80:144-68. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.05.039. Epub 2013 May 20.

    PubMed 23702415

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Inhibitory rTMS (1 Hz) and Excitatory rTMS (5 Hz) in people with Non-invasive Neuromodulation in Healthy Subjects, run by University of Minnesota at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 22 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Nov 2019. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 6 Aug 2019). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Percent Change of GABA Concentration in a Voxel Encompassing the Left Motor Cortex, Measured at 30 Min After rTMS (time frame: Baseline/Pre-rTMS and 30 min after rTMS). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02677740, which also lists 5 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Nov 2019.

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