Brain stimulation trial targets Psychopathy's social blind spots
NCT ID NCT07635940
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a noninvasive brain stimulation technique, can temporarily improve social cognition and brain function in 60 adults with high psychopathic traits. Participants will receive either real or sham TMS over three sessions, with brain scans and social thinking tests before and after. The goal is to see if TMS can safely alter how the brain processes emotions and social cues in this population.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a noninvasive brain stimulation method to improve social cognition in people with psychopathy.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small study (60 people) testing only single sessions of TMS. It may not produce lasting changes or translate to real-world benefits.
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 60 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jun 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2030
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 60 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.
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: * 18-60 years. * Elevated psychopathy as defined by the self-report psychopathy scale. * IQ \>= 80. * No prior diagnosis or current risk of Autism as defined by the autism spectrum quotient. * Negative urine drug screen. * At least 7 Days of abstinence from substance use (excluding nicotine) * Able to provide informed consent. * No change in psychiatric medication regimen, or medication-free, for 4 weeks before study. * Adequate English proficiency to complete study procedures and assessments. Exclusion Criteria: * Current or lifetime DSM-5 psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, or autism spectrum disorder. * IQ \< 80. * Clinically significant neurological disorder or medical illness that would make study participation unsafe, including a history of seizures or significant cardiovascular disease. * Clinically significant abnormality identified on baseline MRI. * Contraindication to MRI or inability to undergo MRI scanning. * Current pregnancy or breastfeeding. * History of head injury resulting in loss of consciousness greater than 15 minutes. * Diagnosis of dementia. * Current prescription for benzodiazepines or anticonvulsants. * Metal implants or non-removable metal objects above the waist. * Lifetime history of prior clinical treatment with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). * Serious risk of suicide or homicide. * Unable or unwilling to comply with study procedures. * History of intractable migraine. * Claustrophobia or inability to tolerate enclosed spaces required for MRI procedures.
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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.
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 Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States