Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

This study tests if gentle sound waves aimed at the brain can help manage anxiety. 44 people with high or low anxiety will receive the ultrasound or a fake treatment before a stressful task. Researchers will measure things like heart rate and startle reflexes to see if the sound …

This study tests whether low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) can safely reduce chronic pain. About 80 adults will receive temporary brain stimulation using sound waves while their pain response and brain signals are measured. The goal is to see if this noninvasive method can …

This study looks at whether eating 1.5 ounces of pistachios every day for six months can lower inflammation and increase lean muscle mass in healthy, active adults aged 40 to 60. Participants are randomly assigned to either eat pistachios or avoid them, while continuing their usu…

This study explores whether low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) can temporarily change brain activity to reduce chronic pain. About 80 adults with moderate-to-severe pain lasting at least 3 months will receive noninvasive brain stimulation and rate their pain during heat test…

This study aimed to understand how a person's socioeconomic status (like income, education, and housing) affects their recovery from substance use disorders. Researchers planned to follow adults in early recovery for up to three years, measuring changes in social status, decision…

This study looks at how menthol-flavored tobacco accessories (like crush balls, filter tips, and aroma cards) affect smokers' experience and buying choices. About 23 adult menthol cigarette smokers will try these accessories with non-menthol cigarettes and compare them to their u…

This study aimed to test a new brain imaging method called transcranial functional ultrasound (tFUS) and compare it with standard MRI. The goal was to see if tFUS could detect brain activity changes. However, the study was withdrawn before any participants were enrolled.

This study looks at how gentle sound waves aimed at the brain might affect memory. About 80 healthy adults will get MRI and CT scans, then receive low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) to temporarily change brain activity. They will do memory tasks and have their brain signals …

This small study looks at whether thinking about future events (Episodic Future Thinking) and low-intensity focused ultrasound can change how people with chronic pain and alcohol use disorder experience pain and cravings. Ten adults will complete tasks and rate their pain and alc…

This study follows 733 adults with alcohol use disorder to learn what helps people recover and what leads to relapse. Researchers measure thinking, social life, and drinking patterns over time. The goal is to find new ways to prevent relapse and support long-term recovery.

This study looks at how low-intensity focused ultrasound (a gentle sound wave) changes the brain's response to pain. Researchers will use EEG and fMRI to measure these changes in 25 adults with somatic pain. The goal is to understand the relationship between ultrasound pressure a…

This study follows 117 young adults (ages 23–28) who were part of a long-term project since their teenage years. Researchers will use brain scans and surveys to see if certain brain patterns are linked to smoking, drinking, and drug use. The goal is to understand, not treat, how …