NCT05437705Recruiting
Decoding and Modulating Affective Brain States
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 3 Sept 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
The research study is being conducted to study brain patterns of negative emotion and develop personalized brain stimulation protocols to disrupt these patterns with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). First, the investigators will use functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data to generate a negative affect map for each participant. Then, the investigators will apply a variety of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) sequences while the participant is inside the MRI scanner to determine the optimal and least optimal rTMS frequencies at changing negative affect brain states. Finally, these two frequencies will be tested over two 3-day rTMS neuromodulation sessions to assess whether they can reduce negative emotions.
- Status (registry)
- Recruiting
- Study type
- Interventional
- Enrollment
- 40 (estimated)
- First submitted
- 13 Jun 2022
- Start date
- 21 Feb 2023
- Primary completion date
- 1 Dec 2028
- Lead sponsor
- University of Pennsylvania
- Diseases
- Depression
- NCT number
- NCT05437705
What you commit to
- Study type: Interventional
- Planned participants: 40
- From 21 Feb 2023 to the primary completion date, 1 Dec 2028
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- Recent use of psychoactive medications or substances as determined by investigators
- Unable to have an MRI scan, or current or prior medical condition that could interfere with the collection or interpretation of MRI data
- Refrain from substance use (including marijuana and illicit drugs) for duration of the study (self-attestation alone).
- Abstain from increasing caffeine intake or begin taking any new medications (self-attestation alone).
Other illness
- Diagnosis of bipolar disorder (as PI discretion), schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder
- History of neurological disorder or traumatic brain injury (other than mild)
- Implanted devices, such as an aneurysm clip or cardiac pacemaker
- History of stroke, epilepsy, or brain scarring
Other
- Unable to receive or tolerate TMS
- Pregnant, nursing, or trying to become pregnant (self-attestation alone)
- During this study, participants are asked to:
- Abstain from alcohol for 24 hours before the MRI scans (self-attestation alone).
Who the study is looking for
- 18-65 years old
- Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9 score) = or \> than 10
- Comprehension of instructions in the English language.
- Capacity to provide informed consent and follow study procedures.
- Availability for the duration of the study.
Age in the registry: 18 years to 65 years · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pennsylvania Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Philadelphia | United States | Recruiting |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.