Brain boost trial: sound and electricity aim to sharpen the mind
NCT ID NCT07671079
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 20, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether closed-loop non-invasive brain stimulation can improve cognitive function in 30 healthy adults aged 18-40. Participants will receive focused ultrasound and electrical stimulation, sometimes combined, while researchers measure brain activity and performance on thinking tasks. The goal is to see if tailoring stimulation in real time works better than standard methods.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- transcranial focused ultrasound and transcranial electrical stimulation
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward more effective, personalized brain stimulation techniques for enhancing cognition or treating neurological conditions.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small study in healthy volunteers, not patients. It focuses on brain activity measures, not clinical outcomes, so real-world benefits are uncertain.
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
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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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About 30 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Sep 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- 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 40 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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: * Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study * Aged between 18 and 40 * Good general health * Not consume alcohol 48 hours prior study visit * Not currently taking any medications (except contraceptive pills) or if on long-term medication for a non-neurological/non-psychiatric condition (r.g. inhalers) to be considered otherwise healthy and stable with no symptoms * Be right handedness Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to complete MRI/FUS/TMS/tES safety questionnaire and / or informed consent process. * Current or previous diagnosis of a neurological, neurosurgical, psychiatric disorders. * Other significant medical condition (specific details to be reviewed by the CI prior to inclusion). * Currently pregnant, breast feeding, or on planned pregnancy. * Medication intake (such as beta-blocker, glucocorticoids, anti-depressants, anti-inflammatory drugs in the last 7d). * Medication intake (such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti-epileptics, beta blockers, glucocorticoids, anti-inflammatories, benzodiazepines, hypnotics, sedating antihistamines or any illicit substances in the past seven days). * Significant use of medication or recreational drugs that affect the nervous system. * Excessive consumption of alcohol. * Known allergy to any required consumables (such as aquasonic gel). * History of anaphylaxis to any substance * Have tightly coiled, curly or voluminous texture hair type (e.g., hair type 3, 4, or afro hair). * Having skin disease or sensitive skin on or close to the head.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Nottingham
Nottingham, United Kingdom