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Noninvasive Neuromodulation

rTMS for Anxiety

N/A

Waitlist Available

Research Sponsored by University of Pennsylvania

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

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

Must have

Subjects must be 18-50 years old

Be between 18 and 65 years old

Must not have

Current or past Axis I psychiatric disorder(s), active or history of active suicidal ideation

IQ <80

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up 24 hours

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial is testing whether transcranial magnetic stimulation can help to identify the key neural mechanisms that cause anxiety, in order to develop better treatments for it.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for individuals aged 18-50 who experience anxiety, can give consent, and are right-handed. It's not suitable for those with psychiatric disorders, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse issues, seizures or epilepsy history, metal implants or body metal that affects MRI safety, claustrophobia, CNS medications use, low IQ (<80), pregnancy or increased seizure risk.

What is being tested?

The study tests the effect of rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) on the right dlPFC (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) area of the brain to alleviate cognitive symptoms of anxiety. The goal is to develop new non-drug treatments for anxiety by understanding how certain brain mechanisms work.

What are the potential side effects?

rTMS may cause discomfort at the stimulation site on the scalp, headache or lightheadedness during treatment. Rarely it could induce a seizure but this is uncommon especially in individuals without a seizure history.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

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

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I am between 18 and 50 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

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

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I have a history of mental health issues or thoughts of suicide.

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My IQ is below 80.

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I do not speak English.

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I have had seizures in the past.

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I have hearing loss.

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I have a history of epilepsy.

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I am taking medication that affects my brain or nerves.

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I am at a higher risk of having seizures.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ 24 hours

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~24 hours

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 24 hours for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

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

Primary study objectives

Anxiety Potentiated Startle during NPU

Fear Potentiated Startle during NPU

Sternberg WM accuracy

+1 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

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

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: 10 Hz ArmExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Subjects will receive 75, 4 second trains at 10 Hz, separated by a 36 second ITI. Stimulation will occur while subjects are doing the Sternberg WM paradigm. The timing of the Sternberg task will be jittered so that each rTMS train will be administered during the maintenance interval of a WM trial.

Group II: 1 Hz ArmExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Subjects will receive a continuous train of 1 Hz stimulation until all 3000 pulses are delivered. Consistent with the 10 Hz condition, TMS will occur during the Sternberg WM paradigm.

0 / 9Eligibility criteria met