Sham accelerated TMS effects on thinking and behavior
Studies of Cognition and Behavior Using Sham Accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
This project will try a sham (placebo) accelerated TMS schedule in 15–25-year-olds to see if treatment expectations change mood, motivation, and responses to everyday rewards.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 25 (estimated) |
| Ages | 15 Years to 25 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of California, Davis Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Sacramento, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT07397858 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Healthy participants aged 15–25 complete baseline clinical assessments and an MRI, then undergo five days of sham (placebo) accelerated transcranial magnetic stimulation with no active brain stimulation delivered. The study tracks how expectations and treatment beliefs change during and after the sham course and whether those expectations influence mood, reward processing, or craving. It compares a more intensive accelerated schedule with a slower once-daily schedule to determine if session timing alters expectancy effects. Participants return for a post-treatment MRI and follow-up assessments at one and four weeks.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are English-speaking healthy individuals aged 15–25 who can provide informed consent (or assent with parental consent if under 18) and are eligible for MRI.
Not a fit: People with active psychiatric crises, major neurological disorders, inability to consent, MRI contraindications, or those seeking active TMS treatment are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could help researchers design better treatments and clinical trials by clarifying how expectations shape mood and reward responses in young people.
How similar studies have performed: Sham TMS is commonly used to study placebo and expectancy effects, but using accelerated sham schedules in healthy adolescents and young adults is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * English speaking * Able to provide informed consent (and assent if \< 18 years) * 15-25 years old Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to consent (due to medical condition, psychosis, substance use, etc) * Acute suicidal crisis or with active medical illness that would interfere with participation * Contraindications to receiving MRI as determined by screening questionnaires (Contraindications for MRI include metal in the body related to an injury or surgery, for example, surgical clips, metal fragments in the eyes, or piercings that cannot be removed. Subjects with braces or permanent retainers will not be scanned, because the effects on image signal are not well understood and may affect comparability between subjects and scan sites. Participants will be excluded for major neurological problems, such as seizure disorder, traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness, or sensory problems that may impair task performance, such as blindness.) * Participation in any clinical study with exposure to any investigational treatment or product within the previous 30 days, or plan on concurrent participation in other studies
Where this trial is running
Sacramento, California
- UC Davis Medical Center — Sacramento, California, United States (Recruiting)
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.