Using ultrasound to create temporary visual disruptions for personalized brain stimulation

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

This research focuses on developing a technique using transcranial Focused Ultrasound Stimulation (tFUS) to measure brain stimulation effects in individuals. The study aims to identify the minimum effective dose of tFUS by inducing a temporary visual field change, known as a scotoma. Researchers will assess whether different types of visual detection are affected by varying tFUS doses. The approach is noninvasive and targets healthy individuals to establish baseline measurements.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female
* Age 18-70
* Normal or corrected-to normal vision and hearing
* No neurological or psychological illness

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of any depressive or anxiety disorder
* Diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
* Current use of any non-prescribed psychoactive medications or drugs
* Contraindication to enter the MRI environment.
* Pregnancy (or suspected/possible pregnancy or plan to become pregnant in the short term).
* Urine Pregnancy Test: If the subject is a woman of childbearing potential and /or a man capable of fathering a child before, during, and/or after participation precaution should be taken. Examples of acceptable methods of birth control for participants involved in the study include: birth control pills, patch, IUD, condom, sponge, diaphragm with spermicide, or avoiding sexual activity that could cause the subject to become pregnant.
* Inability to adhere to treatment schedule.
* Initiation of new antidepressant treatment at the time of study randomization.

NOTE: There will be no exclusion based upon gender or minority status. We anticipate that at least 50% of the participants will be women. The percentage of minority participants is expected to be at least 5%. We will make vigorous attempts to increase this number by posting advertisement flyers in minority communities.

Children, prisoners, and institutionalized individuals will not be recruited, because they are beyond the scope of the objectives. Moreover, we will emphasize that participation in this study is completely voluntary. Recruitment of women and minorities has been addressed above. Non-English speaking subjects will not be recruited because they may not be able to understand instructions, which could undermine the validity of the results.

Where it's running

• Medical University of South Carolina Brain Stimulation Division
  Charleston, South Carolina, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Bridgette Holland
• Email: hollanbr@musc.edu
• Phone: 843 638 7517

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Sex differences in how cannabis affects people who regularly use it

  This Phase 2 trial tests whether men and women who use cannabis several days a week respond differently to THC versus placebo.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, South Carolina · NCT07815691

• taVNS added to oral motor training for babies with severe swallowing trouble

  This trial tests whether pairing a noninvasive taVNS treatment with oral sensorimotor training helps infants in NICUs swallow better and feed more safely.

  Recruiting Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, South Carolina · NCT07802301

• Personalized chemoimmunotherapy for early TNBC with high TILs (no anthracyclines upfront)

  This trial tests a 12-week, anthracycline-free neoadjuvant regimen of carboplatin, paclitaxel, and pembrolizumab in early-stage TNBC with high TILs to see if surgery outcomes are as good as historical regimens.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Medical University of South Carolina · Syracuse, New York and 1 other locations · NCT07743190

• Parietal brain stimulation for memory in Parkinson’s with mild cognitive impairment

  This study tests whether a short, high-dose burst of brain stimulation to the right superior parietal area can safely and feasibly help people with Parkinson’s-related cognitive impairment.

  Recruiting Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, South Carolina · NCT07701785

• Smell training plus non-invasive nerve stimulation to boost sense of smell

  This test will try adding non-invasive trigeminal nerve stimulation to standard smell training for adults with smell loss to see if it improves olfactory function.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, South Carolina · NCT07689773

• Olfactory-focused low-intensity ultrasound on smell perception in healthy adults

  This study tests whether gentle, targeted ultrasound can change how healthy adults perceive odors and respond to them.

  Recruiting Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, South Carolina · NCT07658365

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.