Using brain stimulation to study social motivation in adults
Uses magnetic brain stimulation to study social avoidance in adults with depression or social anxiety.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Using TMS to Understand Neural Processes of Social Motivation
Key facts
- Where
- Auburn, United StatesSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 25 and 50 years old?
Source: NCT06274112, who can take part
Where in United States
- Auburn UniversityAuburn, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Auburn University
- Trial code
- NCT06274112
- Record updated
- 3 March 2026
- Original description
The purpose of this study is to use transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to better understand the neural circuits associated with social motivation.Read full original descriptionShow less
Personalized Neuromodulation Targeting Dysregulated Motivational Responses Underlying Social Avoidance Behavior
The purpose of this study is to use transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to better understand the neural circuits associated with social motivation.
Participant includes four study visits each that range from 1.5 - 3.0 hours in duration over approximately a one month period. The first study visit involves answering survey questions, a clinical interview, and computer tasks. The second study visit involves a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, computer tasks, and a brief TMS protocol. The second and third study visits involve a full session of TMS followed by an MRI scan and computer tasks.
Adults in the Auburn/Opelika area and surrounding areas who avoid social situations, experience symptoms of depression or social anxiety, and are between 25 years old and 50 years old are eligible to participate.
Inclusion: A diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder OR a diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder (assessed/confirmed at screening visit); Scoring above clinical threshold on a measure of social avoidant behavior (assessed/confirmed at phone screen).
Exclusion: Unstable psychotropic medication regimen (i.e., changes in psychotropic medication or dosage in past 3 months); Ferromagnetic implants or ferrmagnetic objects within body (e.g., pacemaker); Current or lifetime diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder; A diagnosis of substance use disorder within past 12 months; A diagnosis of psychotic-spectrum disorder such as Schizophrenia; Medical illness or medical treatment that would preclude or inhibit study participation; Neurological disorder associated with brain damage; History of seizures or head trauma with loss of consciousness > 5 minutes; Family history of epilepsy or personal epilepsy/seizures; Pregnancy or probable pregnancy.