Using electric fields to understand brain changes after stimulation therapy
Official title: Novel electric-field modelling approach to quantify changes in resting state functional connectivity following theta burst stimulation
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11175784 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a treatment called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) affects the way different parts of the brain connect and work together, and it's for healthy volunteers who will try out different levels of this therapy while we measure their brain activity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $113,979 |
| NIH project number | 3U01MH130447-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11175784 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are healthy volunteers who are interested in participating in studies related to brain stimulation and mental health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe mental health disorders or those currently undergoing treatment for such conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a therapy approved for conditions like depression and smoking cessation, affects brain connectivity. By developing a model that uses electric field estimates, the study aims to predict changes in brain function after TMS treatment. Healthy volunteers will receive different doses of stimulation, and their brain activity will be measured using advanced imaging techniques. The goal is to create a comprehensive understanding of how TMS influences the brain at a whole-brain level.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved TMS therapies that are more effective for treating mental health disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results using TMS for various mental health conditions, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Balderston, Nicholas Lee — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Balderston, Nicholas Lee
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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.