Understanding how brain connections affect emotional control

Insular Connectomic Mechanisms of Emotion Dysregulation and Neuromodulation

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-11109390

This study is looking at how certain connections in the brain affect our emotions and whether a special treatment called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can help people who have trouble managing their feelings, so if you’ve ever struggled with emotional control, this research might be for you!

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-11109390 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the brain's insular connections and their role in emotion dysregulation, which affects many psychiatric conditions. It explores how repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can enhance emotion regulation by examining brain activity patterns in individuals with and without emotional dysregulation. By analyzing the connectivity between different brain regions, the study aims to identify mechanisms that could lead to new treatments for those struggling with emotional control. Participants may undergo brain imaging and stimulation sessions to assess changes in emotional responses.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 21 who experience difficulties with emotional regulation and may have psychiatric conditions.

Not a fit: Patients who do not experience emotion dysregulation or are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that improve emotional regulation for individuals with various psychiatric disorders.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that neuromodulation techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation can effectively enhance emotion regulation, suggesting a promising avenue for this study.

Where this research is happening

Durham, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.