Using TMS to Understand Neural Processes of Social Motivation
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age25-50
SponsorAuburn University
About this trial
The purpose of this study is to use transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to better understand the neural circuits associated with social motivation.
Participant includes four study visits each that range from 1.5 - 3.0 hours in duration over approximately a one month period. The first study visit involves answering survey questions, a clinical interview, and computer tasks. The second study visit involves a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, computer tasks, and a brief TMS protocol. The second and third study visits involve a full session of TMS followed by an MRI scan and computer tasks.
Adults in the Auburn/Opelika area and surrounding areas who avoid social situations, experience symptoms of depression or social anxiety, and are between 25 years old and 50 years old are eligible to participate.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
A diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder OR a diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder (assessed/confirmed at screening visit).
Scoring above clinical threshold on a measure of social avoidant behavior (assessed/confirmed at phone screen).
Disqualifiers
Unstable psychotropic medication regimen (i.e., changes in psychotropic medication or dosage in past 3 months).
Current or lifetime diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder.
A diagnosis of substance use disorder within past 12 months.
A diagnosis of psychotic-spectrum disorder such as Schizophrenia.
Trial design
Design model
Crossover
Treatments tested in this trial
TMS
DeviceTMS will be administered using a Cool B-65 coil to a personalized right dlPFC region.
Treatment groups
40 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: TMS AExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: TMS BSham comparator 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Social motivation
Motivational responses to facial expressions as measured by the Social Approach Avoidance Paradigm (SAAP; Evans, Esterman, \& Britton, 2022). In the SAAP, participants self-report how much they would like to approach or avoid emotional facial expressions.
Time frame
Immediately post-intervention2
Neural circuit function
Brain connectivity during motivational responses to facial expression during the Social Approach-Avoidance Paradigm (SAAP; Evans, Esterman, \& Britton, 2022) and during resting state conditions. In the SAAP, participants self-report how much they would like to approach or avoid emotional facial expressions. During resting state conditions, participants simply lie still with their eyes open without completing any type of task.
Time frame
Immediately post-interventionSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov