Exploring the effects of high-frequency brain stimulation on behavior
Official title: Investigating circuit-specific effects of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10948925 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special brain treatment called rTMS can help improve behavior by changing certain brain cells in a way that might benefit people with neurological and mental health issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2023 |
| Project end | September 15, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $41,244 |
| NIH project number | 5F30MH134633-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10948925 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from major depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder who may benefit from noninvasive brain stimulation therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to neurological or psychiatric disorders may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) affects specific brain circuits and their role in improving behavior. Using a novel rodent model, the study aims to understand the changes in excitatory neurons in the prefrontal cortex that may lead to better outcomes for patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders. By employing advanced neuroscience techniques, the research will quantify structural changes in the brain that occur with chronic rTMS treatment. The goal is to uncover the mechanisms behind the therapeutic effects of rTMS, which could lead to more effective treatments for various conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for major depression and other psychiatric disorders by enhancing the effectiveness of rTMS.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with rTMS in treating depression, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gongwer, Michael W. — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Gongwer, Michael W.
Related research
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Noninvasive brain stimulation to reduce hyperexcitability in a Fragile X rat model
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High-frequency brain stimulation for trigeminal neuropathic pain
A large, multi-site trial tests a non-invasive brain stimulation method to relieve chronic facial nerve pain for adults who have not found relief from other treatments.
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Modulating how the brain processes thinking about others in autism with noninvasive brain stimulation
This project tests whether a noninvasive brain treatment (rTMS) can adjust brain activity linked to understanding others’ thoughts and feelings in adults with autism.
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Closed-loop prefrontal TMS guided by real-time EEG in primates
A study tests a brain-guided TMS approach that uses real-time EEG to tailor stimulation to the prefrontal cortex, starting in non-human primates with the goal of improving future treatments for psychiatric disorders.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.