Closed-loop tES-non-invasive Stimulation

Starting soon · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Closed-loop Brain Stimulation

In brief

The goal of this study is to establish if non-invasive closed-loop neuromodulation is an effective approach to enhance cognitive function in healthy 18-40 years old volunteers. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can closed-loop stimulation increase stimulation effectiveness? * Can closed-loop focused ultrasound specifically engage with excitatory or inhibitory neural populations in the target structure as measured through MRS? * Can observed stimulation outcomes for FUS be predicted through connectome analysis and computational models of indirect changes? Researchers will compare different closed-loop options to their open-loop counterpart to see if closed-loop approaches can increase efficacy and reduce the variability of the stimulation compared to open-loop approaches. Participants will: * Answer some questionnaires at the start of the study and after each intervention session. * Undertake a MRI scanning session. * Undertake one open-loop FUS session. * Undertake one tES session. * Undertake one closed-loop FUS sessions involving tES and FUS, followed by a MRI scanning * Undertake one sham FUS session * Attend one visit in person to assess eligibility through questionnaires and one cognitive task

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07671079

Run by

University of Nottingham

People needed

30

Starts

2026-07-01

Expected to finish

2027-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-06-26

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 40. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study
• Aged between 18 and 40
• Good general health
• Not consume alcohol 48 hours prior study visit
• Not currently taking any medications (except contraceptive pills) or if on long-term medication for a non-neurological/non-psychiatric condition (r.g. inhalers) to be considered otherwise healthy and stable with no symptoms
• Be right handedness

You may not qualify if…

• Inability to complete MRI/FUS/TMS/tES safety questionnaire and / or informed consent process.
• Current or previous diagnosis of a neurological, neurosurgical, psychiatric disorders.
• Other significant medical condition (specific details to be reviewed by the CI prior to inclusion).
• Currently pregnant, breast feeding, or on planned pregnancy.
• Medication intake (such as beta-blocker, glucocorticoids, anti-depressants, anti-inflammatory drugs in the last 7d).
• Medication intake (such as beta-blocker, glucocorticoids, anti-depressants) in the last 7d that are likely to affect brain function.
• Significant use of medication or recreational drugs that affect the nervous system.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol (>2 alcohol beverages per day).
• Known allergy to any required consumables (such as aquasonic gel).
• History of anaphylaxis to any substance
• Have tightly coiled, curly or voluminous texture hair type (e.g., hair type 3, 4, or afro hair).
• Having skin disease or sensitive skin on or close to the head.

Where it is running

• University of Nottingham — Nottingham, United Kingdom

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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