Brain Network Mechanisms Causally Underlying Human Decisions Revealed by Brain Stimulation and Functional MRI

Launched by CHRISTIAN RUFF · Aug 23, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how stimulating certain areas of the brain affects our behavior and brain activity. Researchers will use techniques called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial electric stimulation (tES) to see how changes in brain activity can influence our decision-making and behavior. The goal is to better understand the connection between the brain and how we act in everyday situations.

To participate, you need to be between 18 and 80 years old and generally right-handed. However, the study will mostly recruit younger adults, aged 18 to 40. There are some reasons why someone might not be eligible, like having certain medical devices in the body, a history of seizures, or significant brain injuries. If you join the study, you can expect to undergo non-invasive brain stimulation and participate in activities that help researchers learn more about how our brains work during decision-making. It's important to note that this trial is not yet recruiting participants, so keep an eye out for updates if you're interested.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • between 18 and 80 years of age (whereby for most studies the majority of recruited participants will be between 18 and 40 years of age)
• • right-handedness and/or one specific gender (male or female) can be inclusion criteria to reduce variation in the data.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • inability to understand the instructions and insufficient knowledge of the project language
• • Internal electronic and/or metallic objects in the head, neck, or shoulders (e.g. artificial cochleae, deep brain stimulators, medical pumps, shrapnel, metallic splinters due to accidents during metal welding)
• • One or more epileptic fits in the participant or a first-degree relative
• • Vascular, traumatic, tumoral, infectious, or metabolic brain damage
• • Use of medication that significantly alters cortical excitability
• • Acute sleep deprivation or withdrawal from alcohol
• • pregnancy
• • to reduce bias, students of psychology or economics can be excluded if there is a possibility that they are familiar with the relevant paradigm.