Temporal interference to change thalamocortical activity and brain network connectivity

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Researchers will use personalized temporal interference transcranial electrical stimulation (TI-TES) aimed at the thalamus in a within-subject, counterbalanced crossover design. Each participant completes two phases—repeated overnight stimulation during NREM sleep and repeated stimulation during quiet wakefulness—with two sessions per phase and a washout of at least four weeks between phases. Resting-state fMRI is collected before and after each phase to measure sustained changes in thalamocortical functional connectivity, and high-density EEG records sleep spindles and wake alpha as secondary, state-specific measures. Sessions include a sham control condition to compare against active TI-TES effects.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults aged 18-50
* Medically healthy
* U.S. citizen or holding permanent resident status
* English-speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any current or past history of neurological disorders or acquired neurological disease (e.g. stroke, traumatic brain injury), including intracranial lesions (including clinically significant findings identified in first MRI)
* History of inpatient psychiatric hospitalization
* History of head trauma resulting in prolonged loss of consciousness; or a history of greater than 3 grade I concussions
* Current history of poorly controlled headaches including intractable or poorly controlled migraines
* Any systemic illness or unstable medical condition that may cause a medical emergency in case of a provoked seizure (cardiac malformation, cardiac dysrhythmia, asthma, etc.)
* History of seizures, diagnosis of epilepsy, history of abnormal (epileptiform) EEG, or family history of treatment resistant epilepsy except for a single seizure of benign etiology (e.g. febrile seizures) in the judgment of a board-certified neurologist
* Possible pregnancy or plan to become pregnant in the next 6 months (self reported)
* Any metal in the head
* Any medical devices or implants (i.e. cardiac pacemaker, medication infusion pump, cochlear implant, vagal nerve stimulator)
* Dental implants
* Permanent retainers
* Any hair braid, dreadlocks, hair pieces, or extensions which cannot be taken out before the study sessions
* Any head coverings or headdress that participant feels uncomfortable removing for the purposes of study sessions
* Any medication that may alter seizure threshold taken during the study i.e., Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) stimulants (Adderall, amphetamine); Tricyclic/atypical antidepressants (amitriptyline, doxepin, imipramine, maprotiline, nortriptyline, bupropion); SSRIs (Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, Sertraline); Antipsychotics (chlorpromazine, clozapine), Bronchodilators (theophylline, aminophylline); Antibiotics (fluoroquinolones, imipenem, penicillin, cephalosporins, metronidazole, isoniazid); Antivirals (valacyclovir, ritonavir); over the counter antihistamines (diphenhydramine, Benadryl); Estradiol-based birth control
* Claustrophobia (a fear of small or closed places)
* Back problems that would prevent lying flat for up to two hours
* Regular night-shift work (second or third shift)
* Sleep apnea or other sleep disorder (self-reported)

Where it's running

• University of Wisconsin - Madison
  Madison, Wisconsin, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Larissa Albantakis, PhD — University of Wisconsin, Madison
• Study coordinator: TITAN Study Team
• Email: titan@psychiatry.wisc.edu
• Phone: 6082634313

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.