Using TMS to Understand Neural Processes of Social Motivation

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Social Anxiety Disorder; Social Avoidant Behavior; Major Depressive Disorder
• Interventions: Device: TMS

• Registration Number: NCT06274112
• Lead Sponsor: Auburn University

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to use transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to better understand the neural circuits associated with social motivation.

Participant includes four study visits each that range from 1.5 - 3.0 hours in duration over approximately a one month period. The first study visit involves answering survey questions, a clinical interview, and computer tasks. The second study visit involves a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, computer tasks, and a brief TMS protocol. The second and third study visits involve a full session of TMS followed by an MRI scan and computer tasks.

Adults in the Auburn/Apelika area who avoid social situations, experience symptoms of depression or social anxiety, and are between 25 years old and 50 years old are eligible to participate.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2024-02-08
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-02-15
• Study First Posted: 2024-02-23
• Status Verified: 2025-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-01-27
• Last Update Posted: 2025-01-28
• Study Start: 2025-12-01
• Primary Completion: 2029-09
• Study Completion: 2029-09

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• A diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder OR a diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder (assessed/confirmed at screening visit).
• Scoring above clinical threshold on a measure of social avoidant behavior (assessed/confirmed at screening visit).

Exclusion Criteria

• Unstable medication regimen (i.e., changes in medication or dosage in past 3 months).
• Current or lifetime diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder.
• A diagnosis of substance use disorder within past 12 months.
• A diagnosis of psychotic-spectrum disorder such as Schizophrenia.
• Pregnancy or probable pregnancy.
• Medical illness or medical treatment that would preclude or inhibit study participation.
• Neurological disorder or prior neurosurgical procedure.
• History of seizures or head trauma.
• Metal implants or objects within body (e.g., pacemaker).

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
TMS A	TMS	Active continuous thetaburst stimulation administered over right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for 40 seconds (600 pulses total)
TMS B	TMS	Sham continuous thetaburst stimulation administered over right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for 40 seconds (600 pulses total)

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Neural circuit function	Immediately post-intervention	Brain connectivity during motivational responses to facial expression during the Social Approach-Avoidance Paradigm (SAAP; Evans, Esterman, \& Britton, 2022) and during resting state conditions. In the SAAP, participants self-report how much they would like to approach or avoid emotional facial expressions. During resting state conditions, participants simply lie still with their eyes open without completing any type of task.
Social motivation	Immediately post-intervention	Motivational responses to facial expressions as measured by the Social Approach Avoidance Paradigm (SAAP; Evans, Esterman, \& Britton, 2022). In the SAAP, participants self-report how much they would like to approach or avoid emotional facial expressions.