Effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) on Somatosensory Perception

Healthy Volunteer Clinical Trial

Official title: Effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) on Somatosensory Perception

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

Background:

• Different parts of the brain are involved in feeling touch. Researchers want to study whether repetitive magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the sensory cortex affects how sensation feels. rTMS is a repeated magnetic pulse that interferes with brain activity. It affects a small part of the brain beneath the scalp. Researchers want to find out the role of sensory cortex in sensing different types of touch.

Objectives:

• To find out the role of sensory cortex, a brain area, in sensing different types of touch.

Eligibility:

• Healthy adults ages 18 45.

Design:

• Participants will be pre-screened with a telephone interview. Then they will be screened with physical and psychological exams and a urine test.

• In Session 1, participants will have an MRI brain scan and fill out questionnaires.

• For MRI, a magnetic field and radio waves take pictures of the brain. Participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of a metal cylinder. A coil will be placed over their head. They will perform a task during the scan. The scanner makes loud knocking noises. Participants will get earplugs. They will be in the scanner for up to 60 minutes.

• In Sessions 2 and 3, participants will take urine tests. Their perception of touch will be measured. Then rTMS will be used to stimulate their sensory cortex and scalp for about 20 minutes. Their perception of touch will be measured again.

• For rTMS, a wire coil is held on the scalp. A brief electrical current passes through the coil and creates a magnetic pulse that affects activity in the brain.

Clinical Trial Description

This study will test how parts of sensory cortex relate to different aspects of touch sensation. Healthy male and female adults (ages 18-45) will be enrolled. We will use low frequency repetitive transcutaneous magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to temporarily reduce activation in parts of the sensory cortex and will examine the effect of this procedure on perception of touch stimuli. After screening, participants will undergo three testing sessions. Session 1 will involve questionnaires and anatomical and functional MRI scans (non-invasive brain imaging) that will be used for localizing the correct regions to stimulate with the rTMS. Sessions 2 and 3 will involve active and control rTMS and testing of gentle (non-painful) touch sensation. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Healthy Volunteer

• NCT number: NCT02119637
• Study type: Observational
• Source: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
• Status: Completed
• Start date: April 17, 2014
• Completion date: October 17, 2017