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.
연구 개요
상태
상세 설명
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).
연구 유형
등록 (추정된)
단계
- 해당 없음
연락처 및 위치
연구 연락처
- 이름: Zoe Howell Doctoral Student PI, M.Res.
- 전화번호: 850-644-2445
- 이메일: brains@psy.fsu.edu
연구 장소
-
-
Florida
-
Tallahassee, Florida, 미국, 32306-4301
- 아직 모집하지 않음
- The BRAINS Lab at Florida State University
-
연락하다:
- Zoe A Doctoral Student PI, M.Res.
- 전화번호: 850-644-2445
- 이메일: brains@psy.fsu.edu
-
Tallahassee, Florida, 미국, 32306-4301
- 모병
- The Riddle Lab at Florida State University
-
연락하다:
- Zoe S Post baccalaureate Researcher, B.A.
- 전화번호: (850) 644-9869
- 이메일: RiddleLabFSU@gmail.com
-
-
참여기준
자격 기준
공부할 수 있는 나이
건강한 자원 봉사자를 받아들입니다
연구 대상 성별
설명
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.
공부 계획
연구는 어떻게 설계됩니까?
디자인 세부사항
- 주 목적: 기초 과학
- 할당: 무작위
- 중재 모델: 크로스오버 할당
- 마스킹: 더블
무기와 개입
참가자 그룹 / 팔 |
개입 / 치료 |
|---|---|
|
실험적: 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. |
|
활성 비교기: 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. |
|
가짜 비교기: 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. |
연구는 무엇을 측정합니까?
주요 결과 측정
결과 측정 |
측정값 설명 |
기간 |
|---|---|---|
|
Effort-updating behavior during decision period.
기간: 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.
기간: 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
기간: 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.
|
2차 결과 측정
결과 측정 |
측정값 설명 |
기간 |
|---|---|---|
|
Delta event-related spectral power
기간: 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
기간: 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.
|
공동 작업자 및 조사자
수사관
- 수석 연구원: Richard J Macatee, Ph.D., Florida State University
간행물 및 유용한 링크
일반 간행물
- 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.
연구 기록 날짜
연구 주요 날짜
연구 시작 (추정된)
기본 완료 (추정된)
연구 완료 (추정된)
연구 등록 날짜
최초 제출
QC 기준을 충족하는 최초 제출
처음 게시됨 (실제)
연구 기록 업데이트
마지막 업데이트 게시됨 (실제)
QC 기준을 충족하는 마지막 업데이트 제출
마지막으로 확인됨
추가 정보
이 연구와 관련된 용어
추가 관련 MeSH 약관
기타 연구 ID 번호
- STUDY00007710
개별 참가자 데이터(IPD) 계획
개별 참가자 데이터(IPD)를 공유할 계획입니까?
IPD 계획 설명
The IPD will only be shared under reasonable request. The investigators might not share IPD in order to keep participant confidentiality paramount.
약물 및 장치 정보, 연구 문서
미국 FDA 규제 의약품 연구
미국 FDA 규제 기기 제품 연구
미국에서 제조되어 미국에서 수출되는 제품
이 정보는 변경 없이 clinicaltrials.gov 웹사이트에서 직접 가져온 것입니다. 귀하의 연구 세부 정보를 변경, 제거 또는 업데이트하도록 요청하는 경우 register@clinicaltrials.gov. 문의하십시오. 변경 사항이 clinicaltrials.gov에 구현되는 즉시 저희 웹사이트에도 자동으로 업데이트됩니다. .