Using focused ultrasound and brain imaging to study brain activity
Official title: Electrophysiological Source Imaging Guided Transcranial Focused Ultrasound
Run by Carnegie Mellon University · NCT03192436 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new noninvasive technique using focused ultrasound to see how it affects brain activity in healthy adults while they do tasks.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 64 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Carnegie Mellon University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 1, 2018 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2030 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | November 14, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT03192436 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are healthy adults aged 18-64 who can provide informed consent and communicate in English.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with significant medical illnesses, neurological disorders, or a history of seizures may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This project aims to develop and test a novel noninvasive neuromodulation technique that integrates transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) with electrophysiological source imaging (ESI). The study will recruit healthy volunteers aged 18-64 to undergo MRI scans and perform motor or sensory tasks while receiving tFUS, with concurrent monitoring of brain activity through EEG. The goal is to quantify and optimize the effects of tFUS on regional brain activity and to provide evidence-based insights into neuromodulation for brain research and management of brain conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance our understanding of brain function and improve non-invasive treatment options for various neurological conditions.
How similar studies have gone: While the integration of tFUS and EEG is a relatively novel approach, other studies in neuromodulation have shown promising results, indicating potential for success.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Apparently healthy volunteers. * Age 18-64. * Willing and able to provide written consent. * Able to communicate in the English language. Exclusion Criteria: Subjects having any of the following conditions will be excluded from this study: * Evidence of a current significant medical illness or psychiatric or central or peripheral neurologic disorder * History of loss of consciousness of more than ten minutes in the past year or loss of consciousness in a lifetime that required rehabilitation services * Personal or family history of seizure * Any history of stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) * Taking any medications that are known to decrease the threshold for seizure * Pregnancy * Affirmative answers to one or more questions of the provided attached safety questionnaires. These are not absolute contraindications to this study but the risk/benefit ratio will be carefully considered by the PI * Failure to follow laboratory or study procedures
Where it's running
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Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Bin He, Ph.D. — Carnegie Mellon University
- Study coordinator: Joshua Kosnoff
- Email: jkosnoff@andrew.cmu.edu
- Phone: 310-343-8702
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.