Cross-validating the iTBS-induced Hemodynamic Response From fNIRS and fMRI: a Concurrent iTBS-fMRI-fNIRS Study

Launched by THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY · Mar 24, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a treatment called intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS), which targets a specific area of the brain known as the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. iTBS is already used to help people with major depression, but researchers want to better understand how it affects blood flow and brain activity during and right after the treatment. To do this, they will use two techniques—functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)—at the same time. This will help them compare the results from both methods more easily and clarify any inconsistencies found in earlier studies.

To participate in the trial, you need to be a healthy adult between the ages of 18 and 65. You will need to pass a health check that includes a psychiatric assessment to ensure you don't have any major medical or mental health issues. Unfortunately, if you are pregnant or have had certain medical conditions, like brain surgery or seizures, you won't be able to join. If you are eligible, you can expect to undergo the iTBS treatment while being monitored by both fNIRS and fMRI, which will help researchers gather important information about how this brain stimulation affects you.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • healthiness based on history and psychiatric assessment
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • a medical history of a major systemic illness or a neurological or psychiatric disorder
• • pregnancy
• • common fNIRS, MRI and TMS exclusion criteria such as a history of brain surgery, head injury, cardiac pacemaker, intracranial metallic particles or a history of seizures