tFUS Induced Transient Scotoma for Individual Dosing

Launched by MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · May 17, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new technique called transcranial Focused Ultrasound Stimulation (tFUS). The goal is to see how this method can affect the brain in a measurable way and to find out how different types of visual perception—like seeing something consciously versus reacting without being aware—are influenced by tFUS. Researchers aim to understand the thresholds, or limits, for effective use of this technique in healthy individuals.

To be eligible for the study, participants should be between 18 and 70 years old, have normal or corrected vision and hearing, and not have any neurological or psychological conditions. The study is open to all genders and aims to include a diverse group of participants. Those who join can expect to undergo some assessments related to their vision and brain responses. Importantly, participation is completely voluntary, and strict measures are in place to ensure safety, especially for women who could become pregnant. If you’re interested and meet the criteria, your involvement could contribute to important findings in understanding brain function and visual perception.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Male or female
• • Age 18-70
• • Normal or corrected-to normal vision and hearing
• • No neurological or psychological illness
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Diagnosis of any depressive or anxiety disorder
• • Diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
• • Current use of any non-prescribed psychoactive medications or drugs
• • Contraindication to enter the MRI environment.
• • Pregnancy (or suspected/possible pregnancy or plan to become pregnant in the short term).
• • Urine Pregnancy Test: If the subject is a woman of childbearing potential and /or a man capable of fathering a child before, during, and/or after participation precaution should be taken. Examples of acceptable methods of birth control for participants involved in the study include: birth control pills, patch, IUD, condom, sponge, diaphragm with spermicide, or avoiding sexual activity that could cause the subject to become pregnant.
• • Inability to adhere to treatment schedule.
• • Initiation of new antidepressant treatment at the time of study randomization.
• • NOTE: There will be no exclusion based upon gender or minority status. We anticipate that at least 50% of the participants will be women. The percentage of minority participants is expected to be at least 5%. We will make vigorous attempts to increase this number by posting advertisement flyers in minority communities.
• • Children, prisoners, and institutionalized individuals will not be recruited, because they are beyond the scope of the objectives. Moreover, we will emphasize that participation in this study is completely voluntary. Recruitment of women and minorities has been addressed above. Non-English speaking subjects will not be recruited because they may not be able to understand instructions, which could undermine the validity of the results.