Brain Stimulation Effects on Cognitive Task Performance

Launched by COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY · Sep 22, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring how a technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can affect thinking and memory tasks. The researchers want to find the best ways to design tasks that can measure the impact of TMS on cognitive function, which refers to the mental processes involved in learning, memory, and problem-solving. If you are right-handed, fluent in English, and between the ages of 65 and 74, you may be eligible to participate in this study.

Participants in this trial can expect to undergo some cognitive testing using TMS, which is a non-invasive method that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. However, there are some important health conditions that would disqualify someone from participating. For instance, individuals with a history of seizures, significant medical issues, or certain types of head injuries cannot join. Overall, this study aims to better understand how brain stimulation can enhance cognitive abilities, and your participation could contribute valuable insights to this important area of research.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Right-handed
• • Fluent in English
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of seizures or epilepsy
• • Family history of epilepsy
• • Significant medical or neurological diagnoses
• • History of common headache or migraine
• • History of common or recent syncope
• • History of moderate/severe, multiple mild, or past 12 months head injury
• • History of psychiatric, psychological, or neurodevelopmental disorder
• • History of alcohol or recreational drug abuse or dependence
• • Current visual or hearing difficulties that interfere with cognitive testing
• • History of cochlear implants
• • Current pregnancy
• • History of metal in the head or neck (except braces and fillings)
• • Current non-removable piercings in the neck or head
• • History of implanted neurostimulator
• • History of cardiac pacemaker or intracardiac lines
• • History of medication infusion device
• • Current use of medications that increase the excitability of the brain
• • History of problems with TMS or MRI procedures
• • History of EEG for suspected epilepsy
• • Alcohol or recreational drug use in the 48 hours prior to TMS
• • Inadequate sleep in the 48 hours prior to TMS
• • Headache or feeling faint in the 24 hours prior to TMS.