Boosting and Mapping Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Techniques

NCT07431697 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2021-01887
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 22
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

In this study we applied TMS to the hand area of M1 whilst acquiring fMRI of the brain. This study tested whether a higher-frequency form of brain stimulation, called high-gamma (100Hz) intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), more effectively increases brain excitability than the standard 50Hz iTBS. In a double-blind, randomized study with 22 healthy participants, brain activity and motor responses were measured using TMS-fMRI. The 100Hz iTBS condition produced stronger and more consistent increases in motor excitability and greater activation of sensorimotor brain regions compared to 50Hz and sham stimulation, suggesting it may be a more effective approach for non-invasive neuromodulation.

Conditions

Healthy Young Adults

Keywords

Non-invasive brain stimulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

  fMRI of the brain and spinal chord were acquired during stimulation with single pulse TMS to elucidate the changes in BOLD activity occurring from the intervention.

  Throughout the whole experiment, for a total of 26 minutes

• Motor evoked potentials (MEPs)

  When single pulses of TMS are applied to M1 hand region, MEPs are evoked in the corresponding hand muscle which can be measured with electromyography (EMG). The amplitude of the MEPs before and after the iTBS interventions are then measured and compared to determine the response to the iTBS, whether this is facilitation, suppression, or no change.

  MEPs are measured for 8mins immediately before intervention, then 15 minutes after intervention for a further 8 minutes.

Study Arms (3)

100Hz iTBS (intermittent theta burst protocol of rTMS)

EXPERIMENTAL

The high-frequency of the stimulation is what distinguishes it from the other stimulation types and it is the goal of the study to see if this stimulation protocol is more effective than the classical protocol

Device: Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) as a protocol of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)

50Hz iTBS (intermittent theta burst protocol of rTMS)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The classical low-frequency protocol of stimulation, this one is being used to compare to the novel high-frequency protocol

Device: Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) as a protocol of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)

Sham iTBS (intermittent theta burst protocol of rTMS)

SHAM COMPARATOR

The sham stimulation was delivered with a 50Hz iTBS protocol except that the stimulation intensity was halved so as to retain the sensation of stimulation whilst not activating neurons

Device: Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) as a protocol of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)

Interventions

Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) as a protocol of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) DEVICE

iTBS applies a train of 3 pulses of stimulation, delivered at a gamma frequency, then repeated 10x at a theta repetition rate. Intensity of stimulation is personalized based on the individual's resting motor threshold, determined at the start of the session and delivered at 70% of this.

Also known as: iTBS, rTMS

100Hz iTBS (intermittent theta burst protocol of rTMS); 50Hz iTBS (intermittent theta burst protocol of rTMS); Sham iTBS (intermittent theta burst protocol of rTMS)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Right handed

You may not qualify if:

• Contraindications to either TMS or MRI:
• Pregnant Metal implants Use of recreational drugs Neurological conditions History of seizures or epilepsy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne: lead

Study Sites (1)

Campus Biotech

Geneva, Canton of Geneva, 1202, Switzerland

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Full professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 19, 2026
• First Posted: February 24, 2026
• Study Start: February 2, 2023
• Primary Completion: April 12, 2024
• Study Completion: April 12, 2024
• Last Updated: September 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CH (1)