Causal Role of Brain Networks in Episodic Memory

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Episodic Memory, Healthy

In brief

The goal of this study is to understand the basic brain mechanisms supporting episodic memory in healthy young adults. Transcranial magnetic stimulation will be used to influence brain activity in regions thought to be important for episodic memory. Behavioral testing and MRI will be used to measure the effects of stimulation on memory and on changes in brain network interactions, allowing us to draw causal inferences regarding the role of specific brain regions in memory processes.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT05374551

Run by

Boston College

People needed

41

Starts

2023-10-06

Expected to finish

2025-12-31

Last updated by the study team

2026-02-25

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 35. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Ages 18 to 35 years old
• Fluent in English
• Free of major neurological or psychiatric illness
• Right-handed
• Normal or corrected to normal vision

You may not qualify if…

• History of a psychiatric illness within the past two years
• History of a learning disorder (e.g., attention deficit disorder, dyslexia)
• History of neurological disorder or brain injury, including family history of epilepsy, convulsions or seizures, stroke; vascular, traumatic, tumoral, infectious, or metabolic lesion of the brain, even without a history of seizure, and without anticonvulsant medication, and any unexplained lifetime loss of consciousness/syncope
• Use of medications that reduce seizure threshold (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, neuroleptic agents)
• History of neurosurgery
• History of heart disease
• Recreational drug use in the past two months
• Uncontrollable shaking, or inability to sit/lie still for one hour
• Evidence of neurological disorders or structural abnormalities, based on MRI
• Pregnancy
• Prior surgeries, conditions, and/or implants that are not MRI-safe, including: pacemaker, pacemaker wires, artificial heart valve, brain aneurysm surgery, middle ear implant, non-removable hearing aids, braces, or extensive dental work, implanted mechanical or electrical device, artificial limb or joint
• Foreign metallic objects in the body, such as bullets, BBs, shrapnel, or metalwork fragments
• History of metal work or ocular metallic foreign bodies
• History of uncontrolled migraines or susceptibility to headaches
• Use of centrally-acting medications and drugs, with the exception of caffeine, within the last 12 hours
• Concurrent treatment with ototoxic medications
• Current sleep deprivation, extreme fatigue, or recent jet lag
• Claustrophobia
• Pre-existing noise induced hearing loss
• Any prior adverse experience (e.g. physical or psychological discomfort) with repetitive TMS or MRI scanning

Where it is running

• Boston College — Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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