Study on the Effect of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on the Perception of Emotional Images

ConditionEmotional Memory

Trial statusRecruiting

Trial phaseNot applicable

Trial typeInterventional

Biological sexAll

Age18-30

SponsorProf. Dominique de Quervain, MD

About this trial

The goal of the current clinical trial is to investigate whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over specific brain areas can influence the perception of emotional images and emotional memory. TMS is a non-invasive superficial brain stimulation generated by a magnetic field. The results of the study aim to provide valuable insights for the use of TMS in the investigation of mental processes.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Generally healthy

Normotensive (BP 90/60mmHg - 140/90mmHg)

BMI: 18 - 30 kg/m2

Fluent in speaking German

Disqualifiers

Metal in the head area (e.g., splinters, fragments, clips, etc.)

Implanted neurostimulator (e.g., DBS, epidural/subdural, VNS)

Cardiac pacemaker or intracardiac lines

Medication infusion device

Trial design

Design model

Crossover

Treatments tested in this trial

Experimental continuous 30 Hz thetaburst transcranial magnetic stimulation
Device
Bilateral continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) 30 Hz to the temporo-occipital cortex * Frequency: trains of 30 Hz (3 pulses) every 167 ms (frequency of 6 Hz, in the range of theta band) * Intensity: 100% of resting motor threshold (rMT) * Location: consecutively on left and right temporo-occipital cortex (MNI: -47, -77, 4; 50, -69, -4) * Duration: 33.3 seconds for each side * Timing: Immediately before showing IAPS pictures (off-line)
Control continuous 30 Hz thetaburst transcranial magnetic stimulation
Device
Active control condition using bilateral continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) 30 Hz to the superior parietal cortex * Frequency: trains of 30 Hz (3 pulses) every 167 ms (frequency of 6 Hz, in the range of theta band) * Intensity: 100% of resting motor threshold (rMT) * Location: consecutively on left and right superior parietal cortex (MNI: -17, -70, 60; 17, -70, 60) * Duration: 33.3 seconds * Timing: Immediately before showing IAPS pictures (off-line)

Treatment groups

33 Participants

are divided into 2 treatment groups

Group A: Participants starting with experimental conditionExperimental treatment 2 interventions

Group B: Participants starting with control conditionActive comparator 2 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

Emotional valence for aversive pictures

The mean valence rating of aversive pictures as assessed by a visual analogue scale assessed directly after TMS.

Time frame

Immediately after the intervention, lasting for approximately 7 minutes

Secondary outcomes

Emotional arousal

The mean arousal rating of aversive pictures as assessed by a visual analogue scale assessed directly after TMS.

Time frame

Immediately after the intervention, lasting for approximately 7 minutes

Aversive episodic memory

Number of aversive pictures remembered in a free recall pictorial task using IAPS picture set

Time frame

Approximately one hour after the intervention

Other outcomes

Emotional valence for non-aversive pictures

The mean valence rating of non-aversive pictures as assessed by a visual analogue scale assessed directly after TMS.

Time frame

Immediately after the intervention, lasting for approximately 7 minutes

Emotional arousal for non-aversive pictures

The mean arousal rating of non-aversive pictures as assessed by a visual analogue scale assessed directly after TMS.

Time frame

Immediately after the intervention, lasting for approximately 7 minutes

Non-aversive episodic memory

Number of non-aversive pictures remembered in a free recall pictorial task using IAPS picture set

Time frame

Approximately one hour after the intervention

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

Prof. Dominique de Quervain, MD

Lead sponsor

University of Basel

Sponsor institution

Source ClinicalTrials.gov

Apply now