Decoding and Modulating Affective Brain States

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · Jun 23, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, titled "Decoding and Modulating Affective Brain States," is exploring ways to help individuals who struggle with feelings of sadness, worry, and negative thoughts, particularly those with major depressive disorder and anxiety. The researchers aim to create personalized maps of how negative emotions affect the brain. They will use advanced imaging techniques (like fMRI, which is a type of brain scan) and muscle activity data to understand each participant's unique emotional patterns. Participants will then receive targeted brain stimulation over several sessions, which may help lessen these negative feelings.

To join the study, participants need to be between 18 and 65 years old, right-handed, and have a score of 10 or higher on a depression questionnaire. They should be able to understand instructions in English and consent to participate. However, those with certain psychiatric or neurological conditions, recent use of certain medications, or who cannot undergo an MRI will not be eligible. Throughout the study, participants can expect to engage in brain scans and receive stimulation designed to improve their emotional well-being.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion criteria:
• • 1. 18-65 years old
• • 2. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9 score) = or \> than 10
• • 3. Comprehension of instructions in the English language.
• • 4. Capacity to provide informed consent and follow study procedures.
• • 5. Availability for the duration of the study.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Diagnosis of bipolar disorder (as PI discretion), schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder
• • 2. Recent use of psychoactive medications or substances as determined by investigators
• • 3. History of neurological disorder or traumatic brain injury (other than mild)
• • 4. Unable to have an MRI scan, or current or prior medical condition that could interfere with the collection or interpretation of MRI data
• • 5. Unable to receive or tolerate TMS
• • 6. Implanted devices, such as an aneurysm clip or cardiac pacemaker
• • 7. History of stroke, epilepsy, or brain scarring
• • 8. Pregnant, nursing, or trying to become pregnant (self-attestation alone)
• During this study, participants are asked to:
• • 1. Refrain from substance use (including marijuana and illicit drugs) for duration of the study (self-attestation alone).
• • 2. Abstain from alcohol for 24 hours before the MRI scans (self-attestation alone).
• • 3. Abstain from increasing caffeine intake or begin taking any new medications (self-attestation alone).