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Neuromodulation of Motivation and Reward Oscillations (NEMO)

3 novembre 2026 mis à jour par: Rick James Macatee, Florida State University

Delta and Theta-Frequency Transcranial Alternating Stimulation Neuromodulation of Motivation and Reward Oscillations in Disorder of Reward Dysfunction.

Cannabis use disorder (CUD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are among the most prevalent psychiatric conditions in the United States, affecting an estimated 20.6 million and 21 million adults respectively. Both disorders are characterized by anhedonia, diminished motivation, and blunted neural reward sensitivity. This shared dysregulated reward-processing may reflect a common prefrontal oscillatory dysfunction, centralized in mesolimbic dopaminergic reward pathways. This proposed project aims to investigate if transcranial alternating current (tACS) can modulate motivational behaviours and neural reward responsivity in participants with MDD and/or CUD during an effortful reward task. The investigators hypothesize that delta transcranial alternating current stimulation will produce a greater neural reward responsivity (RewP), and motivational behaviour during an effortful reward task.

Aperçu de l'étude

Description détaillée

Disrupted reward processing is a transdiagnostic feature that plays a central role in the development, and maintenance of anhedonia in Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Reward positivity (RewP) is an event-related potential (ERP) component derived from electroencephalogram (EEG) data, associated with motivation, reward responsivity and valuation. This neural signature originates in the medial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortexes. In MDD, reduced RewP has been associated with decreased willingness to expend effort for reward. Research of CUD and RewP is scarce, but dampened RewP has been demonstrated across different substances use disorders (SUDs) in response to monetary reward tasks. Taken together, these findings signal an emerging research frontier to establish RewP as a clinical biomarker and create a compelling mandate for causal investigation. Low-frequency neural oscillations are the key mechanisms facilitating long-distance prefrontal connectivity and interregional communication. Delta oscillations (2.5Hz) in medial and left lateral prefrontal cortexes are closely linked to RewP and reward prediction error signaling, while theta oscillations (6Hz) index cognitive control and prefrontal regulatory engagement during reward processing. Disruptions in both bands have been well documented in MDD, to a more limited extent, in cannabis-using populations. The proposed experiment will causally test whether sham, delta, and theta frequency tACS can alter motivation and reward responsivity (behaviourally [Effort behaviour] and neurally [RewP, delta power]), in participants with disorder of reward dysfunction, CUD, MDD, and healthy controls. Findings from the proposed study will aid in mechanistic understanding of prefrontal circuits underlying reward impairment in CUD and MDD, and ultimately enable for the development of novel brain stimulation techniques to target disorder-maintaining anhedonia. The investigators hypothesise that delta tACS will modulate reward responsivity in participants with disorders of reward. Such that, during the EEfRT Task delta stimulation will enhance reward responsive goal directed behaviour (Behavioral H1) and delta phase connectivity between left lateral and medial frontal electrodes (Neural H1) at effort decision period. As well as greater reward positivity (RewP; Neural 2), and win vs. loss delta power and phase coherence at feedback (Neural H3).

Type d'étude

Interventionnel

Inscription (Estimé)

54

Phase

  • N'est pas applicable

Contacts et emplacements

Cette section fournit les coordonnées de ceux qui mènent l'étude et des informations sur le lieu où cette étude est menée.

Coordonnées de l'étude

  • Nom: Zoe Howell Doctoral Student PI, M.Res.
  • Numéro de téléphone: 850-644-2445
  • E-mail: brains@psy.fsu.edu

Lieux d'étude

    • Florida
      • Tallahassee, Florida, États-Unis, 32306-4301
        • Pas encore de recrutement
        • The BRAINS Lab at Florida State University
        • Contact:
          • Zoe A Doctoral Student PI, M.Res.
          • Numéro de téléphone: 850-644-2445
          • E-mail: brains@psy.fsu.edu
      • Tallahassee, Florida, États-Unis, 32306-4301
        • Recrutement
        • The Riddle Lab at Florida State University
        • Contact:
          • Zoe S Post baccalaureate Researcher, B.A.
          • Numéro de téléphone: (850) 644-9869
          • E-mail: RiddleLabFSU@gmail.com

Critères de participation

Les chercheurs recherchent des personnes qui correspondent à une certaine description, appelée critères d'éligibilité. Certains exemples de ces critères sont l'état de santé général d'une personne ou des traitements antérieurs.

Critère d'éligibilité

Âges éligibles pour étudier

18 ans à 55 ans (Adulte)

Accepte les volontaires sains

Oui

Sexes éligibles pour l'étude

Tout

La description

Inclusion Criteria (General):

  • Aged between 18 - 55 years old.
  • Able to provide informed consent
  • Have normal to corrected vision
  • Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study
  • Speak and understand English.
  • Negative THC saliva test and alcohol breathalyzer at all lab visits.
  • Negative UTOX for any substance other than THC.

Exclusion Criteria (General):

  • Mania history (Bipolar I, or current mania).
  • Psychosis history.
  • Current suicide intent (score >4 on C-SRSS, or intent >0 on SRA)
  • Current moderate-to-severe SUD or AUD (Except CUD and nicotine for NEMO-CUD).
  • Current pregnancy.
  • Seizure, neurological conditions, or brain surgery history.
  • Implanted medical devices (e.g., cochlear implants, cardiac pacemakers).
  • Change in psychotropic medication in the past 3 months (i.e., medication needs to be stable for 12 weeks).
  • Use of seizure threshold lowering medication (e.g., Stimulants, Benzos, SNRIs, Antipsychotics [Adderall, Vyvanse, Xanax, Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Lithium] - SSRIs not exclusionary).

Specific CUD Inclusion:

  • Avg. 6+ cannabis use days per week over the past 3-months, and 24+ cannabis use days in the past 30 days.
  • Primary delta-9 or THC-A cannabis flower or vape concentrate user.
  • Current moderate-to-severe CUD (4+ criteria in the past year, at least one criterion other than craving must be met in the past three months).
  • Cannabis is the primary substance of use (Nicotine dependence is allowable)
  • Not currently receiving treatment for cannabis, planning to immediately quit or reduce use.
  • Lifetime history of MDE/PDD must have lifetime anhedonia symptom and/or heavy cannabis user (3+ sessions daily for at least past year including the past 3-months and past 30 days).

Specific MDD Inclusion:

  • Current MDE diagnosis.
  • No lifetime history of severe SUD.
  • No current moderate-to-severe SUD.
  • 100% of NEMO-MDD participants elevated anhedonia on TEPS-C (i.e., 32 or lower on TEPS-C subscale).

Specific Control Inclusion:

  • No current or historical psychiatric diagnosis.

Plan d'étude

Cette section fournit des détails sur le plan d'étude, y compris la façon dont l'étude est conçue et ce que l'étude mesure.

Comment l'étude est-elle conçue ?

Détails de conception

  • Objectif principal: Science basique
  • Répartition: Randomisé
  • Modèle interventionnel: Affectation croisée
  • Masquage: Double

Armes et Interventions

Groupe de participants / Bras
Intervention / Traitement
Expérimental: Delta tACS

All participants receive delta (2.5 Hz), theta (6 Hz), and sham tACS across three separate sessions, separated by a 7-10 day washout. Session order is randomised and counterbalanced using a balanced Latin square, within each diagnostic group (CUD, MDD, healthy control). Stimulation is interleaved between the 8 blocks of the EEfRT (e.g., block 1 with stimulation, block 2 without, etc.). EEG activity will be recorded throughout the non-stimulation 4 blocks and proceeding interleaved non-stimulation blocks.

Approximately 20-minutes of delta stimulation (2.5Hz) applied to F3 (returns AF7, FC5, FC1) and AFz (returns Fp1, Fp2, F2). Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation Device is NeuroConn DC-Stimulator MC.

Comparateur actif: Theta tACS

All participants receive delta (2.5 Hz), theta (6 Hz), and sham tACS across three separate sessions, separated by a 7-10 day washout. Session order is randomised and counterbalanced using a balanced Latin square, within each diagnostic group (CUD, MDD, healthy control). Stimulation is interleaved between the 8 blocks of the EEfRT (e.g., block 1 with stimulation, block 2 without, etc.). EEG activity will be recorded throughout the non-stimulation 4 blocks and proceeding interleaved non-stimulation blocks.

Approximately 20-minutes of theta stimulation (6Hz) applied to F3 (returns AF7, FC5, FC1) and AFz (returns Fp1, Fp2, F2). Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation Device is NeuroConn DC-Stimulator MC.

Comparateur factice: Sham tACS

All participants receive delta (2.5 Hz), theta (6 Hz), and sham tACS across three separate sessions, separated by a 7-10 day washout. Session order is randomised and counterbalanced using a balanced Latin square, within each diagnostic group (CUD, MDD, healthy control). Stimulation is interleaved between the 8 blocks of the EEfRT (e.g., block 1 with stimulation, block 2 without, etc.). EEG activity will be recorded throughout the non-stimulation 4 blocks and proceeding interleaved non-stimulation blocks.

The tACS stimulation is briefly turned on and off over the course of 15-30 seconds.

Que mesure l'étude ?

Principaux critères de jugement

Mesure des résultats
Description de la mesure
Délai
Effort-updating behavior during decision period.
Délai: Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.

The % of hard effort choices selected following a win versus following a loss.

Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.
Delta phase coherence between left lateral and medial frontal electrodes during decision period following a win versus following a loss.
Délai: Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.

Electrical activity of the brain will be recorded via EEG during performance of the task and neurostimulation. Delta phase connectivity between left lateral and medial frontal electrodes during the decision period following a win versus following a loss.

Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.
Reward positivity amplitude
Délai: Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.

Electrical activity of the brain will be recorded via EEG during performance of the task and neurostimulation. Reward positivity amplitude to wins vs. losses.

Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.

Mesures de résultats secondaires

Mesure des résultats
Description de la mesure
Délai
Delta event-related spectral power
Délai: Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.

Electrical activity of the brain will be recorded via EEG during performance of the task and neurostimulation. Delta power to wins vs. losses.

Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.
Delta intertrial phase coherence
Délai: Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.

Electrical activity of the brain will be recorded via EEG during performance of the task and neurostimulation. Delta intertrial phase coherence to wins vs. losses.

Baseline (Day 0), Sham Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Theta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30), Delta Stim. Session (Day 1-10, or Day 10-20, or Day 20-30). Specific range depends on particular counterbalanced order.

Collaborateurs et enquêteurs

C'est ici que vous trouverez les personnes et les organisations impliquées dans cette étude.

Les enquêteurs

  • Chercheur principal: Richard J Macatee, Ph.D., Florida State University

Publications et liens utiles

La personne responsable de la saisie des informations sur l'étude fournit volontairement ces publications. Il peut s'agir de tout ce qui concerne l'étude.

Dates d'enregistrement des études

Ces dates suivent la progression des dossiers d'étude et des soumissions de résultats sommaires à ClinicalTrials.gov. Les dossiers d'étude et les résultats rapportés sont examinés par la Bibliothèque nationale de médecine (NLM) pour s'assurer qu'ils répondent à des normes de contrôle de qualité spécifiques avant d'être publiés sur le site Web public.

Dates principales de l'étude

Début de l'étude (Estimé)

1 novembre 2026

Achèvement primaire (Estimé)

1 avril 2027

Achèvement de l'étude (Estimé)

1 mai 2027

Dates d'inscription aux études

Première soumission

26 octobre 2026

Première soumission répondant aux critères de contrôle qualité

3 novembre 2026

Première publication (Réel)

9 novembre 2026

Mises à jour des dossiers d'étude

Dernière mise à jour publiée (Réel)

9 novembre 2026

Dernière mise à jour soumise répondant aux critères de contrôle qualité

3 novembre 2026

Dernière vérification

1 octobre 2026

Plus d'information

Termes liés à cette étude

Plan pour les données individuelles des participants (IPD)

Prévoyez-vous de partager les données individuelles des participants (DPI) ?

NON

Description du régime IPD

The IPD will only be shared under reasonable request. The investigators might not share IPD in order to keep participant confidentiality paramount.

Informations sur les médicaments et les dispositifs, documents d'étude

Étudie un produit pharmaceutique réglementé par la FDA américaine

Non

Étudie un produit d'appareil réglementé par la FDA américaine

Oui

produit fabriqué et exporté des États-Unis.

Non

Ces informations ont été extraites directement du site Web clinicaltrials.gov sans aucune modification. Si vous avez des demandes de modification, de suppression ou de mise à jour des détails de votre étude, veuillez contacter register@clinicaltrials.gov. Dès qu'un changement est mis en œuvre sur clinicaltrials.gov, il sera également mis à jour automatiquement sur notre site Web .

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