Modulating Goal-directed Navigation Using Noninvasive Brain Stimulation

Conditions

• Spatial Navigation

Eligibility Criteria

Sex

ALL

Age

18 Years - 55 Years

Healthy Volunteers

Accepted

Interventions

• Active 10-Hz TMS to the parietal cortex — DEVICE
  The active 10-Hz TMS group will receive 10hz TMS stimulation in the first TMS session, and single pulse TMS in the second TMS session. Participants in the active stimulation group will receive 10-Hz TMS to right parietal cortex. The TMS target will be based on subject specific anatomical MRI images (diffusion imaging). TMS will be delivered using a robotic neuronavigation system (Smartmove, ANT). Stimulation intensity will be standardized at 110% of RMT and adjusted to the skull to cortical surface based on e-field calculations (simnibs). Stimulation will be delivered to the right parietal cortex using an active/placebo figure-8 coil, an magventure TMS device.
• Active single pulse TMS to the parietal cortex — DEVICE
  The active single pulse TMS group will receive single pulse TMS stimulation in the first and second TMS session. Participants in the active stimulation group will receive single pulse TMS to right parietal cortex. The TMS target will be based on subject specific anatomical MRI images (diffusion imaging). TMS will be delivered using a robotic neuronavigation system (Smartmove, ANT). Stimulation intensity will be standardized at 110% of RMT and adjusted to the skull to cortical surface based on e-field calculations (simnibs). Stimulation will be delivered to the right parietal cortex using an active/placebo figure-8 coil, an magventure TMS device.
• Sham 10-Hz TMS to the right parietal cortex — DEVICE
  The parameters in the active arms will be as above with the internal randomization of the device internally switching to sham in a blinded fashion.
• Sham single-pulse rTMS the rigt parietal cortex — DEVICE
  The parameters in the active arms will be as above with the internal randomization of the device internally switching to sham in a blinded fashion.

Study Details

Our specific aim is to examine the effects of TMS on spatial processing during goal-directed navigation. In these experiments the investigators will utilize a scalp-recorded brain oscillation called right posterior theta that is believed to index the sensitivity of the parahippocampal cortex to spatial context. Here the investigators will asked whether this electrophysiological signal can be modulated up or down using TMS while participants engage in virtual navigation tasks, and if so, whether it would affect the spatial encoding of rewards and subsequent choices during task performance.

Key Dates

Start date

Mar 24, 2023

Status verified

Nov 2025

Primary completion

Aug 31, 2026

Completion

Aug 31, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment

60 participants (estimated)

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Arms

• Experimental: Active 10-Hz rTMS
  For the first TMS session, participants will receive 10-Hz repetitive TMS (rTMS) delivered at 110% of participants' resting motor threshold over the predefined parietal target for a total of 2250 pulses. For the second TMS session, participants will receive single pulse TMS during the phase target of each task trial and delivered at 110% of participants' resting motor threshold over the predefined parietal target for a total of 200 pulses.
• Experimental: Active single-pulse rTMS
  For the first TMS session, participants will receive a single TMS pulse during the phase target of each task trial and delivered at 110% of participants' resting motor threshold over the predefined parietal target for a total of 300 pulses. For the second TMS session, participants will receive single pulse TMS during the phase target of each task trial and delivered at 110% of participants' resting motor threshold over the predefined parietal target for a total of 200 pulses.
• Sham Comparator: Sham 10-Hz rTMS
  Identical parameters of the active 10-Hz rTMS group will be applied to the SHAM group with the exception that the TMS coil will be flipped 180º to mimic auditory stimulation.
• Sham Comparator: Sham single-pulse rTMS
  Identical parameters of the active single-pulse rTMS group will be applied to the SHAM group with the exception that the TMS coil will be flipped 180º to mimic auditory stimulation.

Primary Outcome Measure

Event-related Brain Oscillation: Right Posterior Theta [ Time Frame: Day 0 (day of testing) ]

Central Contacts

• Travis E Baker, PhD
  973-353-5485
  [email protected]
• Malte Gueth
  973-353-3509
  [email protected]

Locations (1)

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