Developing Transcranial Neuromodulation Protocols for Learning and Decision-Making

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are exploring how changes in brain activity may affect learning and decision-making, particularly in people with substance use disorder. This study aims to develop and test non-invasive brain stimulation methods called neuromodulation protocols that target specific cognitive functions and brain networks involved in these processes. The research focuses on healthy volunteers aged 18 to 45 years who are right-handed to reduce variability in brain function measurements. Participants may join up to five different experiments, each involving 2 to 8 clinic visits lasting 3 to 7 hours. Some visits include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) using different devices: continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS), intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), or sham TBS as a placebo. During TMS, a magnetic coil is placed on the head to deliver brief magnetic pulses, sometimes while participants tense muscles. Other visits involve functional MRI (fMRI) scans where participants perform tasks while brain activity is recorded. Throughout the study, participants will complete computer-based tasks involving images, sounds, smells, or tastes to assess cognitive functions related to learning and decision-making. Vital signs and eye movements may be monitored during activities. Researchers will measure task performance after each intervention to determine if the neuromodulation protocols effectively influence cognitive functions and brain networks. The total participation time depends on the number of experiments joined and visits required.

Developing Transcranial Neuromodulation Protocols for Learning and Decision-Making