Clinical Research Directory

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent difficulties in social communication and interaction, as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Emerging evidence suggests that the cerebellum plays an important role in social cognition and behavioral regulation, and abnormalities in cerebellar structure and function may contribute to the pathophysiology of ASD.Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that may modulate neural activity and functional connectivity within brain networks associated with ASD. However, the therapeutic effects of individualized cerebellar-targeted rTMS in children and adolescents with ASD remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of individualized cerebellar-targeted rTMS guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children and adolescents with ASD. Additionally, the study will explore the effects of rTMS on brain structure and functional connectivity. This is a multicenter, single-arm, exploratory interventional study involving 120 participants aged 6 to 18 years who meet the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ASD. Participants will receive individualized cerebellar-targeted intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) guided by MRI-based neuronavigation for two consecutive weeks.Clinical assessments and MRI examinations will be conducted at baseline, week 2, and week 12. Clinical outcomes will be evaluated using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R), and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Adverse events associated with rTMS will also be monitored. Peripheral blood samples will be collected once at baseline for genetic testing and genotyping to characterize genetic variation among participants. The findings of this study may provide preliminary evidence regarding the feasibility, safety, and potential therapeutic effects of individualized cerebellar-targeted rTMS in children and adolescents with ASD.

Efficacy and Safety of Individualized Sequential Accelerated Theta Burst Stimulation in Improving Cognitive Function in Schizophrenia

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if sequential dual-site accelerated theta burst stimulation (SD-aTBS) targeting the frontoparietal network and default mode network works to improve cognitive function in adults with schizophrenia. It will also learn about the safety of SD-aTBS. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does SD-aTBS improve cognitive function in participants with schizophrenia? What are the neurobiological mechanisms (brain network and synaptic plasticity changes) underlying the effects of SD-aTBS? Researchers will compare real SD-aTBS to sham stimulation to see if SD-aTBS is effective and safe for treating cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. Participants will: Receive real SD-aTBS or sham stimulation for 10 consecutive working days Complete clinical symptom assessments, cognitive function tests, MRI scans, and EEG recordings at baseline, after treatment, and 1 month after treatment Undergo SV2A-PET scans at baseline and 1 month after treatment

Assessing the Effects of Hormones on Noninvasive Transcranial Stimulation

This study is investigating how two types of non-invasive brain stimulation, transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), affect brain activity, and whether combining them produces stronger or more consistent effects than either one used alone. The motivation for this comes from the observation that TMS, which is FDA-approved for treating depression, tends to work less well in postmenopausal women because lower estrogen levels reduce the brain's ability to respond to stimulation. The research team believes that pairing TMS with TES, which targets a different set of brain cells, may be able to overcome this hormonal barrier and make stimulation more effective. Participants will come into the lab for up to 24 visits over 8 months, beginning with an initial visit to establish the right stimulation settings, followed by a series of stimulation sessions in which brain activity is measured before and after receiving either TES, TMS, or both together. For female participants, sessions will be scheduled at specific points in the menstrual cycle to capture the natural monthly rise and fall of estrogen, while male participants will be scheduled on a comparable fixed interval as a comparison group. The insights gained from this study could directly inform the development of better, more reliable brain stimulation treatments for women with depression.

TMS for iEEG Monitoring Recordings

The current study presents a unique opportunity to measure the direct effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) by using intracranial electrodes to record neural activity in deep brain regions when TMS single pulses are delivered. If TMS can evoke downstream responses in neural networks of the human brain, it can be a feasible way to study circuit engagement and connectivity.

Dynamic Causal Modeling of Neuromodulation of Action Speed Via Targeted TMS-EEG

Stroke is a major cause of long-term disability, with cognitive and motor deficits-especially action slowing and executive dysfunction-being strong predictors of poor recovery outcomes. Recent advances in network neuroscience suggest that action speed is governed by interactions between specific prefrontal and premotor regions. However, the precise neural mechanisms underlying action slowing in stroke remain unclear, limiting the efficacy of current rehabilitation approaches. This study integrates high-density EEG, fNIRS and dynamic causal modeling (DCM), and rTMS to map and modulate the neural circuits involved in action speed. In the first phase, we will assess the role of seven key brain regions in action speed modulation by applying virtual lesions using single-pulse TMS in 60 healthy individuals. In the second phase, we will apply offline intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) to the most relevant regions and evaluate its impact on action speed. Finally, in the clinical phase, we will administer individualized iTBS to 20 stroke patients to enhance action speed. Patients will be assessed at baseline, immediately post-treatment, and after one and three months to track improvements in action speed using DCM and behavioral tests. Changes in connectivity and action speed performance will be compared to healthy controls to refine treatment parameters. Secondary outcomes include executive function and daily life motor performance. Longitudinal follow-up will determine the persistence of improvements, informing future personalized rehabilitation strategies. By characterizing effective connectivity changes post-stroke, we aim to refine neuromodulation strategies and develop a personalized rTMS approach. Our hypothesis is that targeting specific regions identified through integration of EEG, fNIRS and DCM can enhance action speed, ultimately improving functional recovery. This personalized approach could lead to more effective rehabilitation protocols, tailored to individual brain damage patterns.