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Effects of Theta Burst Stimulation on the Brain, Behavior, and Clinical Symptoms in Adults With Bipolar Disorder
Sponsor: Mary Phillips, MD MD (Cantab)
Summary
Bipolar Disorder (BD) is a common and highly debilitating psychiatric disorder, however, the predisposing brain mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, the investigators aim to examine the immediate effect of transcranial brain stimulation (TBS) on brain activity and emotions in adults with and without BD as a first stage toward understanding the predisposing brain mechanisms of BD. The investigators hypothesize that TBS will reduce brain activity while playing a game with rewards in all adults, but the TBS will reduce brain activity more in the adults with BD compared to adults without BD. Furthermore, the investigators hypothesize that this reduced brain activity will be associated with reduced BD symptoms, such as negative emotions.
Official title: Elucidating Neural Mechanisms of Hypo/Mania Using Theta Burst Stimulation
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 35 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
146
Start Date
2021-04-06
Completion Date
2025-10-24
Last Updated
2026-07-14
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation (cTBS)
cTBS is a brief stimulation of a part of the brain with a magnetic field that passes through the scalp and skull safely. It is FDA-approved as a treatment for psychological conditions including depression; however, this device is not approved for the treatment of adults with Bipolar Disorder I or for use in healthy adults. This research study is using the cTBS off label in all participants (those with and without Bipolar Disorder I) to examine research questions
Sham Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation (Sham cTBS)
Sham cTBS goes through the motions of applying cTBS to the brain but administers very low current so that the participant feels like cTBS is being administered even though the current is too low to stimulate brain cells. Participants will know that one session will be a sham, but they will be blinded to which session is the sham
Locations (1)
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States