Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable
Age: 30Years - 50Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
NCT06603064

Neuromodulation of Brain and Emotional Responses to Psychological Stress

Led by University of Pittsburgh · Updated on 2026-05-06

55

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

220 weeks

Total Duration

On this page

Sponsors

U

University of Pittsburgh

Lead Sponsor

N

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborating Sponsor

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Investigators are conducting this study to test if temporarily and non-invasively stimulating the brain will affect the emotional response to stress in healthy participants. Participants will perform a series of tasks while completing an MRI scan. After this, participants will be randomized to undergo transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) at two visits, undergoing active stimulation at one visit and undergoing 'sham' stimulation at another visit. Immediately following both stimulation sessions, participants will repeat the tasks during MRI scanning.

CONDITIONS

Official Title

Neuromodulation of Brain and Emotional Responses to Psychological Stress

Who Can Participate

Age: 30Years - 50Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Adults aged 30 to 50 years
  • Healthy individuals or those with anxiety
  • Willingness to undergo MRI scanning and brain stimulation
  • Ability to complete study tasks during MRI sessions
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Use of antihypertensive, cardiac, anticonvulsant, anti-Parkinson, anti-HIV, antipsychotic, and other centrally active medications within 14 days, except anxiolytics and antidepressants
  • Regular use (7 or more days in past 14) of short-lasting benzodiazepines, asthma oral medications, inhalants, glucocorticoids, or medical marijuana
  • Use of longer acting benzodiazepines or sleep medications within 48 hours before scanning
  • Use of more than two non-insulin diabetes medications regularly
  • Consumption of 35 or more alcoholic drinks in the past 7 days or 6 or more drinks on 3 or more occasions in past 7 days
  • Use of illicit drugs on 7 or more days in past 14 days
  • History of epilepsy, seizures, heart attack, stroke, bypass surgery, angioplasty, heart failure, arrhythmia
  • Severe hypertension (SBP >160 and/or DBP >100 mmHg)
  • Cancer treatment within last 12 months (except non-melanoma skin cancer)
  • Liver or kidney disease
  • Type I diabetes
  • Major neurological disorders or brain injury with ongoing symptoms
  • Chronic psychotic illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)
  • Lung disease requiring drug treatment (except regular asthma/allergy inhalers)
  • Pregnancy or planning pregnancy within 3 months
  • Visual impairment preventing reading printed or electronic text
  • Color blindness affecting task performance
  • Discomfort with MRI scan (confined space)
  • Use of incompatible medical devices or metal objects
  • Height over 7 ft 2 in or weight over 350 lbs preventing MRI fit
  • Frequent night shift work (more than 12 times in past year)
  • Brain stimulation treatment in past month
  • Lifetime suicide attempt or suicidal ideation in past year

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility

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Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

T

Thomas E Kraynak, PhD

CONTACT

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

TRIPLE

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Number of Arms

2

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