rTMS Induced Reduction in M1 Excitability

NCT07588113 | Recruiting FDA Device

• 1 other identifier: 30610
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 32
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

When learning a new skill, much of the improvement comes from small alterations the brain makes with each repetition during practice, but this isn't the only time that improvements are made during the learning process. Individuals also get better at the motor skills during the time between practices, through a process called "consolidation." It is known that an area of the brain called the primary motor cortex is involved in learning during active practice, but the investigators want to study if the primary motor cortex is important for consolidation. The investigators will examine how lowering the activity in this brain region affects your ability to consolidate learning to play a song on the videogame Guitar Hero.

Conditions

Short Term Learning With Reduced Cortical Excitability

Keywords

Learning; rTMS

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Gaming outcome

  Primary outcome measures will include comparing video game performance (number of correct notes played, overstrums) across the three testing sessions.

  3 sessions, sessions 1 & 2 on the first day and session 3 on the follow-up day (next day)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Cortical Changes

  3 sessions, sessions 1 & 2 on the first day and session 3 on the follow-up day (next day)

Study Arms (2)

rTMS stimulation group

EXPERIMENTAL

this group will receive 15 minutes of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex while seated quietly

Device: rTMS

SHAM stimulation group

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

This group will have the same stimulating wand placed over the head, but at a distance far enough away as to not activate the cortical neurons.

Device: rTMS

Interventions

rTMS DEVICE

in the arm/group descriptions

Also known as: Sham

SHAM stimulation group; rTMS stimulation group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Between ages 18 and 45 years old (to avoid any changes in the developing brain, or with aging).
• Answer 'no' to questions 2 through 17 on the brain stimulation questionnaire as these factors can increase likelihood of adverse events with brain stimulation.
• No neurological damage, disease, or dysfunction (nerve damage, chronic pain disorders, diabetic neuropathy, epilepsy) that affect the upper limbs and limit the ability to complete the study, and/or compromise the objectives of the study
• No significant visual impairment that would prevent them from playing a video game.

You may not qualify if:

• Currently prescribed and taking stimulant medication (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, etc.)
• Consumption of over-the-counter stimulants such as caffeine or nicotine (coffee, soda, supplements, energy drinks, tobacco products, or other nicotine containing products such as gum, vape pens, etc...) 12 hours prior to entering the lab on the day of testing as this can directly affect cortical excitability. If a subject takes any of these substances 12 hours prior to the study visit they will be asked to reschedule for a later date.
• Have played a real stringed instrument in the last 12 months (e.g. guitar, bass, violin)
• Have played the videogame "Guitar Hero" on a traditional guitar controller in the last 12 months.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Indiana University: lead

Study Sites (1)

National Institute for Fitness and Sport

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States

RECRUITING

Study Officials

• Zachary Riley

  Professor

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Zachary A Riley

CONTACT

317-274-1487; zariley@iu.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: The sham group will still receive the 'stimulation' but the stimulation wand will be positioned far enough away from the surface of the brain to not cause any changes in cortical activity.
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Model Details: 2 groups- a stimulation group and a sham group that will be recruited and tested in parallel with one another.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 1, 2026
• First Posted: May 14, 2026
• Study Start: April 23, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 23, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 23, 2027
• Last Updated: May 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)