Exploring how cerebellar stimulation affects cognitive sequencing
Investigation of Cerebellar Involvement in Cognitive Sequencing
This study is testing if stimulating a part of the brain called the cerebellum can help people improve their ability to complete tasks that require following a sequence.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 50 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Johns Hopkins University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Baltimore, Maryland) |
| Trial ID | NCT06108336 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the role of the cerebellum in cognitive functions, particularly its involvement in sequencing tasks. By using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), researchers will assess brain activation during both sequence-demanding and non-sequence-demanding tasks. The study aims to clarify how cerebellar stimulation influences cognitive processing and whether it can enhance performance in tasks that require sequencing. Participants will undergo functional MRI scans to observe brain activity in response to different stimulation conditions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are right-handed individuals aged 18-50 with at least 8 years of education who are fluent in English.
Not a fit: Patients with neurological disorders, psychiatric conditions, or those on certain medications may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic approaches for cognitive impairments related to sequencing and memory.
How similar studies have performed: While the role of the cerebellum in cognition is increasingly recognized, this specific approach using TMS for cognitive sequencing is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 1\) Age 18-50; * 2\) educational attainment of at least 8 years; * 3\) capable of giving informed consent; * 4\) fluent speaker of English by self-report; * 5\) right handed. Exclusion Criteria: * 1\) illicit drug use within 30 days of MRI scanning; * 2\) neurological or systemic disorder which can cause dementia or cognitive dysfunction; * 3\) history of an Axis I psychiatric disorder including substance use disorder; * 4\) history of definite stroke; * 5\) focal lesion on MRI exam; * 6\) uncorrected visual deficits by self-report * 7\) contraindications for MRI scanning * 8\) use of anxiolytic, antidepressant, neuroleptic, or sedative medication * 9\) Additional exclusion criteria recommended by Wassermann for TMS neuromodulation, including: History of seizure or a family history of epilepsy, heart disease, intracardiac lines, increased intracranial pressure, history of head trauma, and history of respiratory disease
Where this trial is running
Baltimore, Maryland
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: John E Desmond, Ph.D. — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: John E Desmond, Ph.D.
- Email: jdesmon2@jhmi.edu
- Phone: 410-502-3583
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.