Neuromodulation of Motivation and Reward Oscillations (NEMO)
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.
調査の概要
状態
詳細な説明
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).
研究の種類
入学 (推定)
段階
- 適用できない
連絡先と場所
研究連絡先
- 名前：Zoe Howell Doctoral Student PI, M.Res.
- 電話番号：850-644-2445
- メール：brains@psy.fsu.edu
研究場所
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Florida
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Tallahassee、Florida、アメリカ、32306-4301
- まだ募集していません
- The BRAINS Lab at Florida State University
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コンタクト：
- Zoe A Doctoral Student PI, M.Res.
- 電話番号：850-644-2445
- メール：brains@psy.fsu.edu
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Tallahassee、Florida、アメリカ、32306-4301
- 募集
- The Riddle Lab at Florida State University
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コンタクト：
- Zoe S Post baccalaureate Researcher, B.A.
- 電話番号：(850) 644-9869
- メール：RiddleLabFSU@gmail.com
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参加基準
適格基準
就学可能な年齢
健康ボランティアの受け入れ
受講資格のある性別
説明
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.
研究計画
研究はどのように設計されていますか？
デザインの詳細
- 主な目的：基礎科学
- 割り当て：ランダム化
- 介入モデル：クロスオーバー割り当て
- マスキング：ダブル
武器と介入
参加者グループ / アーム |
介入・治療 |
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実験的：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. |
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アクティブコンパレータ：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. |
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偽コンパレータ：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. |
この研究は何を測定していますか？
主要な結果の測定
結果測定 |
メジャーの説明 |
時間枠 |
|---|---|---|
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Effort-updating behavior during decision period.
時間枠：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.
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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.
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Delta phase coherence between left lateral and medial frontal electrodes during decision period following a win versus following a loss.
時間枠：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.
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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.
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Reward positivity amplitude
時間枠：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.
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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.
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二次結果の測定
結果測定 |
メジャーの説明 |
時間枠 |
|---|---|---|
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Delta event-related spectral power
時間枠：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.
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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.
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Delta intertrial phase coherence
時間枠：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.
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協力者と研究者
スポンサー
捜査官
- 主任研究者：Richard J Macatee, Ph.D.、Florida State University
出版物と役立つリンク
一般刊行物
- Byrd KJ, Johnston BW, Culp S, Kreutzer KA, Way BM, Phan KL, Gorka SM. Neural reward sensitivity and longitudinal patterns of alcohol and cannabis use in college-aged youth. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2026 Apr 1;281:113079. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2026.113079. Epub 2026 Feb 10.
- Proudfit GH. The reward positivity: from basic research on reward to a biomarker for depression. Psychophysiology. 2015 Apr;52(4):449-59. doi: 10.1111/psyp.12370. Epub 2014 Oct 17.
- Murray CH, Glazer JE, Lee R, Nusslock R, de Wit H. Delta9-THC reduces reward-related brain activity in healthy adults. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2022 Sep;239(9):2829-2840. doi: 10.1007/s00213-022-06164-y. Epub 2022 May 25.
- Joyner KJ, Bowyer CB, Yancey JR, Venables NC, Foell J, Worthy DA, Hajcak G, Bartholow BD, Patrick CJ. Blunted Reward Sensitivity and Trait Disinhibition Interact to Predict Substance Use Problems. Clin Psychol Sci. 2019;7(5):1109-1124. doi: 10.1177/2167702619838480. Epub 2019 Sep 1.
- Riddle J, Alexander ML, Schiller CE, Rubinow DR, Frohlich F. Reward-Based Decision-Making Engages Distinct Modes of Cross-Frequency Coupling. Cereb Cortex. 2022 May 14;32(10):2079-2094. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhab336.
研究記録日
主要日程の研究
研究開始 (推定)
一次修了 (推定)
研究の完了 (推定)
試験登録日
最初に提出
QC基準を満たした最初の提出物
最初の投稿 (実際)
学習記録の更新
投稿された最後の更新 (実際)
QC基準を満たした最後の更新が送信されました
最終確認日
詳しくは
本研究に関する用語
キーワード
追加の関連 MeSH 用語
その他の研究ID番号
- STUDY00007710
個々の参加者データ (IPD) の計画
個々の参加者データ (IPD) を共有する予定はありますか?
IPD プランの説明
The IPD will only be shared under reasonable request. The investigators might not share IPD in order to keep participant confidentiality paramount.
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米国で製造され、米国から輸出された製品。
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