Brain zaps and choices: inside look at motivation
NCT ID NCT01590862
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at how electrical brain stimulation influences approach and avoidance behavior in 13 patients with deep brain stimulators for OCD, depression, or epilepsy. Participants played a computer task with their stimulator turned on and off. The goal was to understand brain activity, not to provide treatment.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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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
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13 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2021
- Finished
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Mar 2026
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 to 70 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
DBS Patients: Inclusion Criteria: • Deep brain stimulator implantation performed at least three months prior to study Exclusion Criteria: * Subjects unable to visualize stimulus objects with correction * Dementia or other known cognitive deficit Psychiatric Patients: Inclusion Criteria: * Right-handed (as determined by the Handedness Inventory; Oldfield,1971) * Normal or corrected-to normal vision and hearing * Current diagnosis of MDD or OCD Exclusion Criteria for Patients: * Clinical history of bipolar disorder * Current or past psychotic disorder * Gross structural brain damage * Cognitive impairment that would affect a participant's ability to give informed consent * Current substance abuse, or abuse within the past 3 months * Clinical history of severe personality disorder * Imminent risk of suicide or an inability to control suicide attempts * Evidence of dementia or other significant cognitive impairment on neuropsychological evaluation
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
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Massachusetts General Hospital
Charlestown, Massachusetts, 02129, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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