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Purpose

This study uses a noninvasive technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to study satiety in healthy individuals. TMS is a noninvasive way of stimulating the brain, using a magnetic field to change activity in the brain. The magnetic field is produced by a coil that is held next to the scalp. In this study, the investigators will be stimulating the brain to learn more about the role of the cerebellum in satiety.

Conditions

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 65 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  • Healthy individuals aged 18 to 65 - BMI of 20-35.0 kg/m2 - Normal or corrected-to-normal vision - Good general health - Ability to understand and willingness to sign written informed consent document

Exclusion Criteria

  • Current and/or past medical conditions - Current and/or past eating disorder - On a restricted diet and/or taking weight loss medication(s) - History of bariatric surgery - Weight fluctuation >3% in past 3 months - Recent history of illicit recreational drug abuse - Current nicotine use - Intellectual disability - Conditions that might result in increased risks of side effects or complications from TMS or MRI

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Other
Masking
Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Active Comparator
Active cerebellar rTMS 		Cerebellar targeted iTBS
  • Device: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
    rTMS is a technique of TMS that allows for selective external manipulation of neural activity in a non-invasive manner. During rTMS a rapidly changing current is passed through an insulated coil placed against the scalp. This generates a temporary magnetic field, which in turn induces electrical current in neurons and allows for modulation of neural circuitry. Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) consisting of 2 s trains of 3 pulses at 50 Hz, repeated at 5 Hz, every 10s for a total of 600 pulses (82), will be applied to the target. Cerebellar stimulation will be applied to the targets at 100% of aMT or 35% maximal stimulator output, whichever is higher.
    Other names:
    • iTBS
Sham Comparator
Sham cerebellar rTMS 		Cerebellar targeted sham iTBS
  • Device: Sham repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
    rTMS is a technique of TMS that allows for selective external manipulation of neural activity in a non-invasive manner. During rTMS a rapidly changing current is passed through an insulated coil placed against the scalp. This generates a temporary magnetic field, which in turn induces electrical current in neurons and allows for modulation of neural circuitry. Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) consisting of 2 s trains of 3 pulses at 50 Hz, repeated at 5 Hz, every 10s for a total of 600 pulses (82), will be applied to the target. Cerebellar stimulation will be applied to the targets at 100% of aMT or 35% maximal stimulator output, whichever is higher. Sham is achieved by using a coil with a magnetic shield preventing magnetic field from reaching the head.
    Other names:
    • iTBS

Recruiting Locations

Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts 02120
Contact:
Laura Holsen, PhD
617-525-8772
lholsen@bwh.harvard.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Brigham and Women's Hospital

Study Contact

Laura Holsen, PhD
617-525-8772
lholsen@bwh.harvard.edu

Detailed Description

The purpose of this study is to conduct a circuit manipulation experiment to test the hypothesis that targeting the cerebellum can alter activity in response to food cues to advance the understanding of the involvement of the cerebellar-striatal circuit in feeding behavior. Participants will undergo an initial screening session to complete informed consent and undergo baseline assessments including physical activity and food craving. Participants will additionally undergo an MRI scan that includes structural and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI). These rsfMRI imagines will be used to isolate individual resting state networks for targeting of rTMS modulation. Participants will then complete two separate testing sessions involving MRI imaging and food intake assessments before and after rTMS. One visit will involve consumption of a filling meal; the other visit will be completed following an overnight fast.

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.