Overcoming the Barriers to Effective Transcranial Temporal Interference Stimulation in Humans (NCT07593859)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Transcranial temporal interference stimulation (TIS) is an emerging novel tool for non-invasive transcranial brain stimulation that holds the potential for focal and steerable neuromodulation, and the possibility to stimulate focally at depth. TIS involves combining two high frequency waveforms to create a waveform with a "beat" frequency that is physiological relevant for neuromodulation. Successful applications to deep brain targets as well as steerability of the stimulation focus have been demonstrated in mice. Numerous recent investigations in humans have shown great clinical potential for this technology, however several questions about the basic mechanism of TIS action remain. The investigators will apply TIS to the motor cortex of humans and use established transcranial magnetic stimulation techniques to assess cortical excitability in relation to the phase of the TIS waveform. Using TMS, the investigators will i) validate that effects of TIS are due to the "beat" frequency and not the high frequency carrier signal, ii) evaluate the effect of the TIS carrier frequency, and iii) evaluate that whether changes in corticospinal excitability outlast the period of stimulation. Knowledge gained from this experiment will provide a basis for the future use of TIS for clinical applications, including informing parameter optimization.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (3 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (14 items).
Location: Northeastern University — Boston, Massachusetts
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Ferromagnetic metal implants in the brain/skull or elsewhere (dental implants excluded).
- Any implanted electronic device (e.g. cardiac pacemaker, cochlear implant, deep brain stimulator, medication infusion pump; vagal nerve stimulator)
- Diseased or damaged skin on face or scalp
- History of migraines, fainting, seizures/epilepsy, or psychiatric illness
- Neurological disorder or intracranial lesion
- Frequent or severe headaches
- Prior adverse reaction to transcranial magnetic stimulation
- Currently pregnant
- Suspected or diagnosed heart problems (e.g. arrhythmia, cardiac disturbances).
- Insulin-dependent diabetes
- Suspected or diagnosed epilepsy or a familial history of epilepsy
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- Northeastern University — Boston, Massachusetts
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.