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TMS for Decision-Making in Aging

N/A

Waitlist Available

Research Sponsored by University of Arizona

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Fluent in English or formal education in English starting from at least the age of 5

Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) > 25

Must not have

Currently taking the following medications, which are contraindications for TMS: tricyclic antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Clomipramine, Doxepine, Imapramine, Maprotiline, Nortriptyline), anti-psychotic medication (Clozapine), Anti-virals (Foscarnet, Ganciclovir, Ritonavir), Bronchodilator (Theophylline), Amphetamines, gamma-Hydroxybutyrate, Ketamine

Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) less than or equal to 25

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up between tms session 1 and tms session 2 (1-2 weeks)

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trialwill study the effect of TMS on explore-exploit behavior in younger & older adults, using cTBS to inhibit neural activity in the frontal pole & IFG to measure downstream effects on behavior.

Who is the study for?

Adults aged 18-30 or 65-74 with good cognitive health, no significant neurological or psychiatric conditions, and not on certain medications can join this study. They must be fluent in English, have a normal mood assessment score, and pass specific memory and cognitive screenings.

What is being tested?

The trial tests how brain stimulation affects decision-making. Participants will undergo transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) targeting two brain areas: the frontal pole and IFG. The goal is to see if TMS changes their tendency to explore new options or exploit known ones.

What are the potential side effects?

While the document doesn't list side effects explicitly for TMS, common ones include headache, scalp discomfort at the site of stimulation, lightheadedness, risk of seizure (though very rare), and hearing issues if ear protection isn't used during treatment.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

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I have been fluent in English or educated in English since age 5.

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My cognitive function score is above 25.

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I am either 18-30 or 65-74 years old.

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I do not have any major brain, mental health, or other medical issues affecting my thinking.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

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I am not taking any medications that are not allowed with TMS, like certain antidepressants, antipsychotics, antivirals, bronchodilators, amphetamines, GHB, or ketamine.

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My MoCA score is 25 or lower.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ between tms session 1 and tms session 2 (1-2 weeks)

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~between tms session 1 and tms session 2 (1-2 weeks)

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and between tms session 1 and tms session 2 (1-2 weeks) for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Directed exploration

Random exploration

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

4Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Target: frontal pole; Order: vertex firstExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

In this arm the target stimulation site is the frontal pole, the control stimulation site is the vertex. Participants will receive the vertex stimulation in the first TMS session and frontal pole stimulation in the second TMS session.

Group II: Target: frontal pole; Order: frontal pole firstExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

In this arm the target stimulation site is the frontal pole, the control stimulation site is the vertex. Participants will receive the frontal pole stimulation in the first TMS session and vertex stimulation in the second TMS session.

Group III: Target: IFG; Order: vertex firstExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

In this arm the target stimulation site is the IFG, the control stimulation site is the vertex. Participants will receive vertex stimulation in the first TMS session and IFG stimulation in the second TMS session.

Group IV: Target: IFG; Order: IFG firstExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

In this arm the target stimulation site is the IFG, the control stimulation site is the vertex. Participants will receive IFG stimulation in the first TMS session and vertex stimulation in the second TMS session.

0 / 6Eligibility criteria met