Live Face Processing in Typically Developed ParticipantsNCT07457567
Neural Mechanisms of the Social Brain
A study testing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in people with Live Face Processing in Typically Developed Participants, run by Yale University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This study aims to understand the neural mechanisms that underlie synchronization of two brains during social interactions. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Live Face Processing in Typically Developed Participants
- What is being tested?
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 3 Nov 2025to 31 Jul 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- -Self reported typically developed adults.
Who cannot join
- -No prior history of seizure activity. Self reported absence of recreational drugs at time of study.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Yale School of Medicine
New Haven, Connecticut, 06511
Joy Hirsch, PhD, 917-494-7768, joy.hirsch@yale.edu
About this study
Official title: Neural and Behavioral Correlates of Live Face-to-Face Interactions
This study aims to understand the neural mechanisms that underlie synchronization of two brains during social interactions.
Read the detailed description
After being informed about the study and potential risks, all participants giving written informed consent will undergo a structural MRI image for anatomical localization of the targeted stimulation site. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two TMS target locations, and will be identified for the TMS experiments. Two to three days prior to the TMS experiment, participants will undergo a before TMS/fNIRS experiment. On the day of the TMS experiment participants will undergo a functional dyadic neuroimaging session after TMS stimulation. For the neuromodulation experiments, tDCS, selected sites for stimulation will be identified on the T1 anatomical scans for each participant who will be randomly assigned to one of three groups. In each case the face-gaze fNIRS experiment will be run. Aim 2: Two targeted sites will be confirmed as neural hubs by modification of fiducial neural regions based on the findings of cTBS disruptions. Rationale: These locations and functional specializations are necessary for the proposed neuromodulation tests in the upcoming clinical trial phase.
Part 1: Stimulate to disrupt the site associated with eye-to-eye contact hypothesized to be right superior parietal lobule. Part 2: Stimulate to disrupt the site associated with live face gaze hypothesized to be right supramarginal gyrus.
The focus of this registration is Aim 2.
- Being tested
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)Device
TMS to targeted regions. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, tDCS, to targeted and sham regions.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Sham Comparator | Sham comparator | TMS to a non-targeted region. Receives: Device: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) |
| Experimental Comparator | Experimental | TMS to targeted regions Receives: Device: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Percent change in hemodynamic signals
Statistical comparison of measures before and after stimulation. Measurement of brain oxygenation during cognitive assessment. The variable of interest will be changes in fNIRS oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin signals (% change from baseline) during the cognitive assessment.
Measured: Baseline and At time of measurement, approximately one hour
Electroencephalography (EEG) response to live face gaze
Statistical comparison of measures before and after stimulation. EEG response to live face gaze is acquired for frequencies between 1 and 20 Hz. Oscillatory signals will be partitioned into Theta (4-8 Hz) and Alpha (8-12 Hz) frequencies for comparisons before and after TMS. Higher values indicate better score.
Measured: At time of measurement, approximately one hour
Eye Contact Behavior
Statistical comparison of measures before and after stimulation (amplitude). Free viewing Eye tracking measures are detected by light reflections acquired at 120 Hz. Eye to eye contact is computationally determined by comparison of the eye tracking measures between the two partners.
Measured: At time of measurement, approximately one hour
Face Gaze Behavior
Statistical comparison of measures before and after stimulation (Action Units). Facial dynamics are quantified by rapid photography and AI programs (OpenFace) that classify categories of facial expressions. There are 17 facial expressions that will be acquired during the face gaze conditions.
Measured: At time of measurement, approximately one hour
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Mar 2026
- Study start3 Nov 2025
- Primary completion31 Jul 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Jul 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Live Face Processing in Typically Developed ParticipantsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Yale UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Yale University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Joy Hirsch, PhD, Principal investigator, Yale University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07457567
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 1501015178
- Other IDs
- 1R61MH138705-01
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 2 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 13 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: All data will be available on DRYAD, a public database
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Neural and Behavioral Correlates of Live Face-to-Face Interactions
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07457567
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 1501015178
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Yale UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Study start
- 3 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jul 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Jul 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 9 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study aims to understand the neural mechanisms that underlie synchronization of two brains during social interactions.
Detailed description
After being informed about the study and potential risks, all participants giving written informed consent will undergo a structural MRI image for anatomical localization of the targeted stimulation site. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two TMS target locations, and will be identified for the TMS experiments. Two to three days prior to the TMS experiment, participants will undergo a before TMS/fNIRS experiment. On the day of the TMS experiment participants will undergo a functional dyadic neuroimaging session after TMS stimulation. For the neuromodulation experiments, tDCS, selected sites for stimulation will be identified on the T1 anatomical scans for each participant who will be randomly assigned to one of three groups. In each case the face-gaze fNIRS experiment will be run. Aim 2: Two targeted sites will be confirmed as neural hubs by modification of fiducial neural regions based on the findings of cTBS disruptions. Rationale: These locations and functional specializations are necessary for the proposed neuromodulation tests in the upcoming clinical trial phase.
Part 1: Stimulate to disrupt the site associated with eye-to-eye contact hypothesized to be right superior parietal lobule. Part 2: Stimulate to disrupt the site associated with live face gaze hypothesized to be right supramarginal gyrus.
The focus of this registration is Aim 2.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Sham Comparator | Sham comparator | Device: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)TMS to a non-targeted region. |
| Experimental Comparator | Experimental | Device: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)TMS to targeted regions |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- -Self reported typically developed adults.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- -No prior history of seizure activity. Self reported absence of recreational drugs at time of study.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)TMS to targeted regions. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, tDCS, to targeted and sham regions. | Device | Experimental Comparator, Sham Comparator |
Primary outcome
Percent change in hemodynamic signals
Time frame: Baseline and At time of measurement, approximately one hour
Statistical comparison of measures before and after stimulation. Measurement of brain oxygenation during cognitive assessment. The variable of interest will be changes in fNIRS oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin signals (% change from baseline) during the cognitive assessment.
Electroencephalography (EEG) response to live face gaze
Time frame: At time of measurement, approximately one hour
Statistical comparison of measures before and after stimulation. EEG response to live face gaze is acquired for frequencies between 1 and 20 Hz. Oscillatory signals will be partitioned into Theta (4-8 Hz) and Alpha (8-12 Hz) frequencies for comparisons before and after TMS. Higher values indicate better score.
Eye Contact Behavior
Time frame: At time of measurement, approximately one hour
Statistical comparison of measures before and after stimulation (amplitude). Free viewing Eye tracking measures are detected by light reflections acquired at 120 Hz. Eye to eye contact is computationally determined by comparison of the eye tracking measures between the two partners.
Face Gaze Behavior
Time frame: At time of measurement, approximately one hour
Statistical comparison of measures before and after stimulation (Action Units). Facial dynamics are quantified by rapid photography and AI programs (OpenFace) that classify categories of facial expressions. There are 17 facial expressions that will be acquired during the face gaze conditions.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. All data will be available on DRYAD, a public database
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Joy Hirsch, PhD principal investigator
Yale University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in people with Live Face Processing in Typically Developed Participants, run by Yale University 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 1 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Jul 2026. 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Joy Hirsch, PhD (9174947768, joy.hirsch@yale.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Percent change in hemodynamic signals (time frame: Baseline and At time of measurement, approximately one hour). 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?
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 13 Jul 2026.