Actively Recruiting
Brain Stimulation and Decision-making
Led by Emory University · Updated on 2025-12-10
500
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
433 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
E
Emory University
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Decision-making is an important process that is frequently shown to be impaired in patients with depression. While a number of preclinical and clinical studies have identified key regions involved in this process, it remains unclear exactly how these regions are influencing choice behavior especially when choices become more challenging. The goal of this project is to understand how these regions, such as the cingulate cortex, impact difficult choice behavior. Specifically, the researchers are interested in learning how disruptions in cognitive control might impact choice preferences during difficult decisions in depressed patients. To do this, this study will recruit participants with depression (as well as healthy controls) to perform game-like tasks in the laboratory while undergoing TMS or TI.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Brain Stimulation and Decision-making
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Provides written informed consent
- Fluent English speaker
- No current drug use based on history or urine drug screen
You will not qualify if you...
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or women planning pregnancy
- Contraindications to fMRI such as pacemakers, metallic implants, vascular clips, previous neurosurgery, prosthetic heart valves, or claustrophobia
- Unable to fit comfortably in the MRI scanner
- Contraindications to TMS including epilepsy history, metallic implants in head/neck, brain or vagus nerve stimulators, VP shunt, pacemakers
- Current use of medications that increase seizure risk or reduce rTMS effects (e.g., bupropion, varenicline, chlorpromazine, theophylline, benzodiazepines)
- History of serious or unstable medical illness including cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, respiratory, endocrine, neurologic, or hematologic diseases
- Not right-handed
- History of head injury with more than brief loss of consciousness
- History of cocaine or stimulant use
- History of dopaminergic drug use
- Current or frequent tobacco or nicotine product use
- Significant inconsistencies in self-report measures
- Above minimal suicide risk as assessed during clinical interviews
- Physical or neuropsychiatric conditions limiting walking or running
- Current psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, or severe substance use disorders
- Psychotropic medication use within the last six weeks
- For depressed patients: symptom severity score below 11 on Beck Depression Inventory, no certain psychiatric diagnoses including schizophrenia spectrum, psychotic disorders, bipolar, substance dependence or recent abuse
- For healthy controls: no current or past psychiatric disorders, no psychotropic medication use, Beck Depression Inventory score not exceeding 10, and low anhedonia score
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30322
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Michael Treadway, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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