Actively Recruiting
Brain Stimulation Effects on Cognitive Task Performance
Led by Colorado State University · Updated on 2026-04-08
100
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on cognitive performance, focusing on attention, learning, and memory. This study aims to find the best task design and TMS settings to produce clear and reliable changes in cognition. TMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation method that can either increase or decrease brain activity and is being explored for its potential in understanding and improving cognitive function in conditions such as dementia and schizophrenia. Participants will perform cognitive tasks while receiving either active TMS or sham (non-stimulating) TMS to the brain. The study uses a randomized, single-blind design to compare these two types of stimulation. The interventions include repetitive TMS to the brain and a sham scalp stimulation that does not affect brain activity. Each participant completes a single one-hour session without follow-up. During the study visit, participants will complete the Sternberg Memory Task to measure accuracy and reaction time under TMS conditions. The researchers will monitor behavioral effects to determine optimal task and stimulation parameters. The study involves healthy volunteers aged 18 to 65 who are right-handed and fluent in English. There is no long-term follow-up, and the total participation time is about one hour.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Brain Stimulation Effects on Cognitive Task Performance
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Right-handed
- Fluent in English
- Aged between 18 and 65 years
- Healthy volunteers without neurological or psychiatric disorders
You will not qualify if you...
- History of seizures or epilepsy
- Family history of epilepsy
- Significant medical or neurological diagnoses
- History of common headache or migraine
- History of common or recent syncope
- History of moderate/severe, multiple mild, or recent head injury
- History of psychiatric, psychological, or neurodevelopmental disorder
- History of alcohol or drug abuse or dependence
- Current visual or hearing difficulties affecting testing
- History of cochlear implants
- Current pregnancy
- History of metal in the head or neck (excluding braces and fillings)
- Current non-removable piercings in head or neck
- History of implanted neurostimulator
- History of cardiac pacemaker or intracardiac lines
- History of medication infusion device
- Current use of medications increasing brain excitability
- History of problems with TMS or MRI procedures
- History of EEG for suspected epilepsy
- Alcohol or drug use in 48 hours before TMS
- Inadequate sleep in 48 hours before TMS
- Headache or feeling faint in 24 hours before TMS
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 1 hour
Participants complete cognitive tasks while receiving active or sham transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the brain during a single study appointment.
1 visit (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Colorado State University Department of Psychology
Fort Collins, Colorado, United States, 80523
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Michael Thomas, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
OTHER
Number of Arms
2
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