NCT05416138

Theta Phase-specific TMS to Modulate Prefrontal Activity

The Effects of Closed-loop TMS-EEG on Immediate Prefrontal Activity and Approach/Avoidance Behavior

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 26 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Minnesota · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the causal link between the phase of ongoing theta oscillations in the prefrontal cortex and approach/avoidance (Ap/Av) behavior in adults using theta phase-specific transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

Detailed description

Approach/avoidance (Ap/Av) behavior is a reliable marker of the emotional processes in the human brain and a robust predictor of mood disorders. Although existing scientific studies found a correlation between the approach/avoidance behavior and ongoing theta activity (3-7 Hz) in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the causal evidence of the phase-dependent role and strength of association between the prefrontal theta oscillations and approach/avoidance behavior are still unclear. Here, we will monitor brain oscillations in real-time non-invasively using electroencephalography during the approach/avoidance test and modulate theta peaks or troughs with transcranial magnetic stimulation. These data will provide novel understanding of the mechanisms of emotional processing in human brain.

Conditions

• Approach/Avoidance Behavior

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)	TMS will be performed at either peaks or troughs of ongoing prefrontal theta oscillations (3-7 Hz) concurrently with the cognitive test at the beginning of every test trial. Theta oscillations will be monitored in real-time at the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex using electroencephalography (EEG).

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-11-01
• Primary completion: 2024-08-31
• Completion: 2024-08-31
• First posted: 2022-06-13
• Last updated: 2025-12-10
• Results posted: 2025-12-10

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States

Regulatory

• FDA-regulated device study