Scientists probe why brain stimulation works for some and not others
NCT ID NCT06104462
First seen Sep 17, 2026 · Last updated Sep 18, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University are studying how a form of brain stimulation called intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) affects blood flow in the prefrontal cortex of healthy adults. The study uses functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure oxygen levels in the brain before, during, and after stimulation. The goal is to understand why people respond differently to iTBS, which could help improve its use as a treatment for psychiatric conditions.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
- What this could lead to
- If researchers can identify what makes people respond differently to iTBS, it could help doctors tailor brain stimulation treatments for depression and other psychiatric conditions.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small study in healthy volunteers, so the findings may not apply to people with psychiatric disorders. The technique measures blood flow as a proxy for brain activity, which may not capture the full picture of how iTBS affects the brain.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
40 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Oct 2023
- Finished
-
Dec 2024
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 60 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * healthiness based on history and psychiatric assessment * being able to hear and understand the verbal instructions * completed at least 6 years of formal education Exclusion Criteria: * a current or past diagnosis of psychiatric, neurological disorders, or severe internal illness * any conditions that will contraindicate to iTBS or fNIRS * psychiatric disorders in their first-degree relatives * pregnancy
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Healthy are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a protein powder with creatine and fiber boost everyday Well-Being?
- Green tech or hidden stress? bus Drivers' hearts monitored behind the wheel
- Shout it out: can growls and screams raise pain tolerance?
- Tiny doses, big questions: how does the body handle this prodrug?
- First human test of CM583: can this biologic pass the safety check?
- Scientists map how noise blurs speech across frequencies