The Effects of Noninvasive Neuromodulation on Mental Wellness, Behavior, and Electrophysiology

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to test the effects of brief, low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound (TUS) on electrophysiological, behavioral, and cognitive markers related to anxiety disorders.

Condition

  • Anxiety Disorders

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 65 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  • 18-65 years of age, as verified via photo identification with date of birth. - Should be an English speaker, as indicated by being able to read and comprehend the consent form. - Experiment 2 : Participants will be included for a past diagnosis of anxiety within the past year.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Smokes or uses tobacco products or any form of nicotine excessively - History of head injury with loss of consciousness for more than 5 min - Uncorrected hearing or vision impairment, including color blindness - Currently have or history of brain or mental illness judged likely to interfere with testing, including drug and/or alcohol dependence - History of epilepsy - Brain tumors - Takes medications or drugs judged likely to change brain activity, including psychoactive drugs, stimulants, benzodiazepines, and/or others - Factors that may lead to poor EEG or fNIRS recordings (e.g., hairstyle) - Inadequate sleep - Drug, alcohol or prescription drug intoxication, dependence or addiction - Pregnancy, or becoming pregnant during the course of the study - Mild cognitive impairment or impaired decision making - History of migraines - Experience with neurostimulation (which might unbind or alter the results) - Metal implants in their head or face

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Single Group Assignment
Intervention Model Description
Each experiment arm will have its own group(s).
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Single (Participant)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Experiment 1
The study will consist of 2 groups. A: no current diagnosis of anxiety or other psychological disorders. B: Current diagnosis of anxiety disorder. Results will be analyzed within and between groups. Participants will answer standardized questionnaires and other similar validated psychological scales. An ultrasound transducer will be placed on their head aimed at the brain region of interest. EEG data will be collected throughout the process. After this process, participants will answer a set of post experiment questions.
  • Device: Gen0b
    The ultrasound will be administered to the brain region of interest.
Experimental
Experiment 2a
Current diagnosis of anxiety disorder is required. Participants will receive an MRI. Participants will answer standardized questionnaires and other similar validated psychological scales. An ultrasound transducer will be placed on their head aimed at the brain region of interest. EEG data will be collected throughout the process. After this process, participants will answer a set of post experiment questions
  • Device: Gen0b
    The ultrasound will be administered to the brain region of interest.
Experimental
Experiment 2b
Experiment 2b will expand on Experiment 2a protocol with multiple visits. Each visit will consist of the same activities as Experiment 2a.
  • Device: Gen0b
    The ultrasound will be administered to the brain region of interest.

Recruiting Locations

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Sanmai Technologies PBC dba Sanmai

Study Contact

Lisannette A Ruiz
520-343-1070
lisannette.r@sanm.ai

Detailed Description

We will test the effects of TUS on self-reported and clinical anxiety states in healthy participants and in those with diagnosed anxiety disorders. Participants in these studies will receive pulsed TUS to the brain regions of interest. We will test whether multiple doses of TUS lead to larger reductions in mental states related to anxiety in comparison to a single dose of TUS.